Specialist Trade Support, Structured

This specialist position within the Global Markets division presents a unique opportunity to join a major financial services institution in Johannesburg. The role is focused on the intricate lifecycle of structured trades, requiring a professional who can navigate the complexities of financial products while maintaining rigorous operational standards. As part of a team responsible for the accuracy of trade data, you will act as a critical control point in the financial value chain.

About the role

The primary objective of this position is to manage the end-to-end lifecycle of structured and complex trades across diverse asset classes. You will be responsible for verifying trade accuracy, ensuring proper booking, matching, and the eventual settlement of various financial instruments. This role is not merely administrative; it requires the application of professional judgement to resolve exceptions and queries, thereby mitigating operational risks that could impact the organisation’s bottom line or client relationships.

A significant component of the work involves process analysis. The successful candidate will be expected to identify bottlenecks in the existing workflows and recommend tangible improvements. You will serve as a vital bridge between various internal stakeholders, including trading desks, technology teams, and finance departments, ensuring that the entire transactional process remains seamless and compliant with internal control standards.

Your daily responsibilities will revolve around the high-pressure environment of the Global Markets desk, where attention to detail and technical proficiency are paramount. Key tasks include:

• Executing both standard and non-standard procedures to ensure the integrity of trade data.
• Managing the allocation, matching, and settlement processes for complex trading products.
• Proactively resolving operational exceptions and addressing queries from internal and external stakeholders.
• Analysing the impact of trades on risk metrics and Profit and Loss (P&L) statements.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to streamline business processes and improve operational efficiencies.
• Ensuring all trade administration adheres to internal governance and global financial standards.

What they're looking for

The ideal candidate will possess a solid academic foundation complemented by substantial hands-on experience in the financial sector. You should hold a degree in Commerce, Finance, Accounting, or Mathematical Sciences. Furthermore, the organisation requires:

• Three to five years of dedicated experience in Trade Support Operations within a Global Markets environment.
• A deep understanding of the end-to-end trade lifecycle, covering a range of product complexities.
• Practical knowledge of pricing and risk management principles, and how these interact with the wider value chain.
• Demonstrable technical proficiency, including advanced experience with banking systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong behavioural competencies, including the ability to work under pressure, articulate complex information clearly, and challenge existing processes to foster continuous improvement.

In the South African financial services sector, roles of this nature are highly sought after, particularly within large banking groups centered in Johannesburg. Professionals in structured trade support typically command competitive packages reflecting the niche expertise required to manage high-value portfolios. Such a position offers a clear trajectory for those looking to move into senior operations management or specialist risk roles. It is a demanding, fast-paced environment that rewards individuals who are intellectually curious and capable of maintaining composure while managing the technical intricacies of the global financial market.

Type of Qualification: First Degree
Field of Study: Business Commerce, Finance and Accounting, Mathematical Sciences

Experience Required
Trade Support
Operations
3-5 years
Ability to self manage, coordinate across teams and stakeholders within business, operations, technology and finance.

3-5 years
Advanced experience in the Trade Lifecycle of Global Markets environment. Covering multiple products ranging in complexity.

3-5 years
Principles and practical application of pricing and risk management and the impact of these on risk, P&L and entire value chain.

3-5 years
Proficient technology experience and the ability to manage desk specific systems, software and processes, including Microsoft applications and other banking industry systems.

3-5 years
Seasoned knowledge and understanding of trading environment (end-to- end value chain) across products / instruments traded with system and manual process complexity.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Adopting Practical Approaches
• Articulating Information
• Challenging Ideas
• Developing Expertise
• Documenting Facts
• Examining Information
• Interpreting Data
• Meeting Timescales
• Producing Output
• Showing Composure
• Team Working
• Upholding Standards

Technical Competencies:

• Business Process Improvement
• Continuous Process Improvement
• Deal or Trade Life Cycles
• Deal Set-up & Administration
• Derivatives Markets
• Evaluation of Internal Controls
• Exception Handling
• Manual Deal or Trade Processing
• Process Analysis and Redesign
• Product Knowledge (Trading, Transacting)
• Query Resolution
• Technology Savvy