Settlements Analyst
Salary: £24,000 - £27,000 dependant upon experience
Reporting to: Head of Regulatory Operations
About the role
The Settlements Analyst will be responsible for the daily management and execution of settlement processes for equity, bond, and fund transactions, as well as ensuring the smooth operation of post-trade activities. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of settlement cycles, reconciliation processes, and regulatory requirements within the UK financial services industry. This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, technology-driven environment and contribute to the continual development and optimisation of our settlement operations.
Your Key Responsibilities
Daily Settlement Operations:
* Oversee and coordinate the settlement of trades (equities, bonds, funds) in line with regulatory and market deadlines.
* Monitor trade flows, investigate and resolve any settlement mismatches or fails.
* Liaise with internal teams (Trading, Custody, Client Services) and external counterparties (brokers, custodians) to resolve any settlement-related issues.
* Acting to deliver good outcomes for our customers by following the Consumer Duty rules and guidance set by the FCA and our own internal core values and behaviours.
Reconciliation & Reporting:
* Perform daily, weekly, and monthly reconciliations of cash, positions, and transactions.
* Identify, investigate, and escalate reconciliation discrepancies to ensure accurate record-keeping.
* Prepare regular settlement reports for management and stakeholders, highlighting risks, trends, and process improvements.
Risk & Control Management:
* Ensure all settlement processes align with internal risk policies and industry regulations (e.g., FCA).
* Maintain robust controls to mitigate operational risk and exposure to trade-related errors.
* Contribute to internal and external audits by providing documentation and clarifications on settlement workflows.
Process Improvement & Projects:
* Proactively identify areas for enhancing operational efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams (IT, Product, Compliance) to streamline settlement processes and implement new solutions.
* Support the testing and implementation of new systems or upgrades within the settlements function.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement:
* Provide exceptional service to advisers, asset managers, and other external counterparties by responding promptly to settlement queries.
* Act as a subject matter expert for settlement-related activities, offering training and guidance to internal teams.
* Build and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Skills & Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
* Proven experience (2+ years) in a settlement, trade operations, or middle/back-office role within financial services.
* Strong knowledge of UK settlement cycles, CREST, fund dealing processes, and related post-trade activities.
* Familiarity with regulatory requirements (FCA, CASS rules) and market best practices.
* Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel) and experience using settlement or reconciliation systems.
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
* Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
* Knowledge of Consumer Duty FCA principle 12.
Benefits
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
* Your birthday off, this is not included as holiday, an extra little bonus!
* Vitality Private Healthcare.
* Yurtle Caregivers Support & Insurance.
* Smart Pensions Pension Plan.
* Work from home opportunities.
* Perks at Work (subscription).
Diversity & Inclusion
Inclusion is at the heart of our social mission.Yes, we're an equal opportunities employer committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status, but it goes so much further than that. We value difference and we're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for every staff member.
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