Banking Professional - Trade Settlement

Key Responsibilities:

Trade Settlement & Clearing:

- Oversee and manage the end-to-end clearing and settlement process for trades executed by the firm, ensuring timely and accurate completion.

- Monitor trade breaks and investigate discrepancies between trade details and settlement instructions.

- Collaborate with external counterparties, brokers, and clearing houses to resolve settlement issues.

Reconciliation & Data Management:

- Perform daily reconciliation of internal systems with clearing house records to ensure consistency.

- Investigate and resolve reconciliation breaks in positions, cash, or collateral accounts.

- Maintain accurate records and ensure data integrity across all platforms related to clearing and settlement.

Risk Management & Compliance:

- Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory requirements for clearing and settlement activities.

- Actively monitor margin calls, collateral management, and liquidity requirements for cleared trades.

- Support the implementation of risk controls and mitigation strategies for potential trade fails, defaults, and operational errors.

Reporting & Analytics:

- Prepare regular reports for internal stakeholders on clearing and settlement activities, including trade flow analysis, operational metrics, and reconciliation status.

- Assist with ad-hoc reporting for senior management, auditors, and regulators.

- Maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) for clearing operations to track efficiency and risk metrics.

Process Improvement & Automation:

- Contribute to process enhancement initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and accuracy of clearing and settlement functions.

- Identify opportunities for automation in operational workflows and support technology integration projects.

- Liaise with technology teams to implement solutions that improve operational effectiveness.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

- Work closely with front office trading desks, risk management, and finance teams to resolve any issues or queries related to cleared transactions.

- Support internal audits and provide relevant documentation during audits and regulatory reviews.

Key Skills and Qualifications:

Experience:

- Minimum of 5-8 years of experience in operations within a professional clearing, settlement, or middle-office environment (preferably within a financial services firm).

- Strong knowledge of the clearing and settlement lifecycle for equity, derivatives, and fixed-income products.

Technical Skills:

- Proficient in using clearing and settlement systems (e.g., SWIFT, FIX, Omgeo, etc.), as well as financial platforms such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or equivalent.

- Strong proficiency with Excel and other data management tools for reporting and analysis.

Knowledge:

- Solid understanding of regulatory requirements for clearing and settlement, including trade reporting, margining, and collateral management.

- Knowledge of financial markets, derivatives, and asset classes being cleared.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills:

- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex operational issues quickly.

- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Communication:

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.

- Ability to document and report on operational issues and improvements clearly.

Education - A bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field is preferred.

Desired Attributes:

- Strong team player with the ability to collaborate and build relationships across various departments.

- Self-motivated and able to work independently, managing priorities effectively.

- Process-driven, with a focus on improving efficiency, accuracy, and risk management.