Transactor Manager

About the role

Liberty, a cornerstone of the South African financial services landscape, is seeking a results-oriented Transactor Manager to join their team in Johannesburg. This role is positioned at the intersection of business strategy and execution, requiring a professional who can expertly manage complex trade finance portfolios. The successful candidate will act as a primary driver for revenue growth, tasked with identifying opportunities that enhance the organisation’s market share while ensuring that all transactional activities align with robust risk management frameworks.

In this position, you will be expected to influence the strategic direction of your portfolio. This involves moving beyond standard transaction processing to act as a credible advisor. By bridging the gap between client needs and the broader trade finance ecosystem, you will help shape the solutions that keep the business at the forefront of the industry. This is an ideal role for an ambitious financial professional looking to leverage their expertise in a high-stakes, collaborative environment that values forward-thinking leadership.

The core of this role involves the full lifecycle of trade finance deals—from the initial origination and structuring to final execution. You will be instrumental in ensuring that trade finance objectives are met while fostering cross-functional partnerships. Key responsibilities include:

• **Portfolio Strategy:** Formulating and implementing strategies to drive revenue from both existing and prospective clients, ensuring optimal returns for the business.
• **Risk Mitigation:** Serving as the first line of defence. This includes conducting rigorous due diligence, site visits, and inspections to maintain credit risk within acceptable thresholds, particularly for complex or watchlist accounts.
• **Deal Structuring:** Utilising a deep understanding of commodity cycles and supplier-offtaker dynamics to structure short-term, self-liquidating solutions that meet the specific needs of the client.
• **Advisory and Leadership:** Acting as a subject matter expert in Trade Finance, providing thought leadership that influences product development and identifies gaps in current market offerings.
• **Stakeholder Management:** Collaborating closely with credit teams, business coverage units, and other stakeholders to ensure that term sheets and documentation align with corporate regulatory and risk frameworks.

What they're looking for

To be successful in this role, you will need a combination of sharp commercial acumen and a highly developed understanding of the financial landscape. Liberty requires candidates who are not just reactive but proactive in identifying market disruptors and new income streams.

• **Qualifications:** A relevant degree in Commerce is required. A postgraduate qualification, Master’s degree, or MBA is highly preferred, reflecting the seniority and complexity of the portfolio management involved.
• **Technical Proficiency:** You must possess strong expertise in risk management, product development within the trading and transacting space, and strategic business planning.
• **Behavioural Edge:** The role demands high-level soft skills, including the ability to challenge ideas, convince stakeholders, and embrace change. You should be comfortable directing people and pursuing goals with a high degree of autonomy.
• **Industry Knowledge:** An intuitive grasp of the African economic environment and specific industry trends is essential for providing relevant, data-driven recommendations.

In the South African financial sector, roles at this level—which sit within the highly specialised "Transactor" or "Corporate Banking" tiers—typically command competitive, market-related remuneration packages. This often includes a performance-based bonus structure, given the direct impact on revenue growth. Professionals in this field often follow a career path toward Senior Deal Origination, Corporate Coverage, or executive-level roles within the Transactional Banking (TxB) or CIB (Corporate and Investment Banking) business units. Aspiring applicants should highlight their proven ability to manage credit risk alongside their capacity for high-level commercial relationship building.

Qualification Required:  Relevant degree, postgraduate qualification and/or master’s degree or MBA in Commerce.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Challenging Ideas
• Convincing People
• Developing Strategies
• Directing People
• Embracing Change
• Exploring Possibilities
• Generating Ideas
• Making Decisions
• Providing Insights
• Pursuing Goals
• Seizing Opportunities
• Upholding Standards

Technical Competencies:

• Business Insights
• Client Business Case
• Operational Planning
• Product Development
• Product Knowledge (Trading, Transacting)
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Planning and Reporting
• Strategy Definition