Head of Portfolio Management

UK Export Finance; London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government department seeks a Head of Portfolio Management to lead the Portfolio Management Division. This role involves overseeing credit risk assessments, managing a team, and ensuring alignment with ESG standards. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting UK exports and enhancing risk management practices.

Qualifications

• Experience managing credit and sovereign risk portfolios.
• Expertise in ESG integration and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Leads the Portfolio Management Division managing credit risk.
• Oversees post-approval management and risk monitoring.
• Coaches staff and contributes to talent development.

Skills

Leadership

Risk Management

Talent Development

ESG Factors

Job description

Join to apply for the Head of Portfolio Management role at UK Export Finance.

UKEF, founded in 1919 as the world's first export credit agency, is the UK's export credit agency with over 100 years of supporting UK exports. Our mission is to "advance prosperity by ensuring no viable UK export fails for lack of finance and insurance, doing so sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer." We provide loans, guarantees, and insurance to help UK companies win overseas sales, fulfill export contracts, and ensure payment. We work alongside over 100 private credit insurers and lenders, complementing the private sector. As a government department reporting to the Secretary of State for International Trade and aligned with the Department for Business and Trade, we operate strategically and operationally to support UK exports.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Division

The department supports UK exporters by providing insurance, loans, and guarantees against non-payment or non-performance by UK exporters and overseas buyers. The financial success of the department depends on sound credit risk assessment, especially given the elevated default risks in emerging markets. The Portfolio Management Division (PMD) handles credit reviews, assigns probability of default ('PD') ratings, and loss given default ('LGD') for non-sovereign, existing risks.

The Role

• Leads the Portfolio Management Division within UKEF's Risk Management Group, managing a significant portion of the credit and sovereign risk portfolio.
• Oversees activities from post-approval management to repayment, including three core functions: Post Issue Management, Post Issue Credit Risk monitoring, and ESG factors & stress testing.
• Adds senior leadership capacity to UKEF's Risk Management team, fostering talent development and enhancing expertise in ESG and risk management in a volatile environment.

Main Activities

Leadership and Management

- Manages, leads, and motivates approximately 18 FTE across three teams, including managers at Grade 6/7 and a deputy at SCS 1 level.

- Participates in key committees like ERiCC, providing thought leadership and execution capabilities.

- Liaises with internal stakeholders and external entities such as industry peers, insurers, and banks. This role involves client-facing responsibilities with financial institutions and insurance companies.

- Coaches and mentors staff, contributing to the People Agenda and talent development within the Risk Management group.

Post Issue Management

- Manages activities related to monitoring and controlling post-approval risks, including tracking conditions, financial statements, covenant compliance, and breach follow-ups.

- Monitors credit deterioration, reports to credit approvers, and manages risk ownership transitions.

- Collaborates with the Active Portfolio Management unit on reinsurance portfolios and opportunities.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Risk Development

- Develops and reviews ESG integration in credit ratings and risk assessments, monitors industry and ECA developments, and manages ESG tools and portfolio stress testing.

- Works with business teams to review opportunities and ensure alignment with risk appetite.

Additional Responsibilities

- Contributes to risk policies and strategic projects.

- Acts as a subject matter expert and represents UKEF at seminars, events, and workshops.

- Deputizes for the CRO and other senior risk leaders at meetings and external engagements.

- Manages budget authority aligned with business needs.

This role may include additional duties as required.

CONTACT

For further information, contact Nick Irow at 07715 210286.