Desk Assistant - Trading

Citigroup Inc.; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Discretional annual bonus

Private medical & Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Pension plan

Parental leave

Employee discounts

Learning resources

Job summary

Citi Belfast is seeking an Assistant Vice President, Desk Assistant - Trading to support front-office trading operations and bridge traders with technology and operations. You will help optimize workflows, reduce risk, and drive automation across the desk.

The role offers exposure to the full trade lifecycle—from execution to settlement—alongside opportunities for career progression within the trading or strategic operations teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in trade support, middle office, or trading assistant roles within a global investment bank or financial institution.
• Exposure to equities, derivatives, or structured products is expected.
• Strong Excel (including VBA) and familiarity with trade booking platforms and workflow systems.
• Python or SQL for automation and data analysis is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Execute accurate and timely booking of structured notes, OTC derivatives, listed derivatives, and cash equity trades.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline trading desk processes through AI and workflow automation.
• Manage trade lifecycle events, including security amendments and confirmation approvals in CWM.
• Respond to exceptions, breaks, and adjustments with Product Control, Middle Office, and Operations.
• Contribute to development and implementation of new controls, monitoring tools, and automated workflows.
• Partner with traders and cross-functional teams to test and implement system enhancements.

Skills

Trade support

Middle office

Trading assistant

Excel VBA

Python

SQL

Tools

Trade booking platforms

Workflow systems

Job description

At Citi Markets, we win together. In a rapidly changing world, our shared vision gives us the clarity, agility and global perspectives we need to shape the future. That's why collaboration plays a central role in how we deliver for clients, develop our people, and grow our business. Our open, supportive culture empowers us to share clients, ideas, and success. There's no arrogance. No politics. There are leaders at every level looking for ways to work together, learn from each other and constantly improve. Because, in the long-term, that's not just the best way to do things, it's the only way to win.

As an Assistant Vice President, Desk Assistant - Trading in Belfast, you will play a pivotal role in supporting our front-office trading operations by bridging the gap between traders, technology, and support functions. This is a compelling opportunity for an agile, detail-oriented professional with a passion for process optimization and technology-driven solutions. You will work directly alongside traders to enhance workflow efficiency, reduce operational risk, and drive the adoption of AI and automation across the desk. This role offers exceptional exposure to the full trade lifecycle—from execution to settlement—while providing a clear pathway for career progression into front-office trading or strategic operations leadership.

Primary Responsibilities of the Role

• Execute accurate and timely booking of structured notes, OTC derivatives (primary and secondary), listed derivatives, and cash equity trades, transitioning from booking in the trader's name to your own name.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to streamline trading desk processes, reduce manual intervention, and enhance scalability through AI-driven solutions and workflow automation.

• Manage trade lifecycle events, including security amendments, structured trade review exceptions, and confirmation approvals in CWM, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

• Respond swiftly to exceptions, breaks, and adjustments raised by Product Control, Middle Office, and Operations, coordinating resolution with key stakeholders.

• Actively contribute to the development and implementation of new controls, monitoring tools, and automated workflow solutions to enhance desk efficiency and risk mitigation.

• Partner with traders and cross-functional teams (Technology, Risk, Compliance) to test and implement system enhancements, platform migrations, and process innovations.

What We Need from You

• Experience in trade support, middle office, or trading assistant roles within a global investment bank or financial institution, with demonstrated exposure to equities, derivatives, or structured products.

• Strong technical proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including VBA) and familiarity with trade booking platforms and workflow systems; experience with Python or SQL for automation and data analysis is highly desirable.

• Solid understanding of the trade lifecycle, including booking, confirmation, settlement, and reconciliation processes across multiple asset classes (OTC derivatives, listed derivatives, structured notes, and cash equities).

• Exceptional attention to detail and a proactive, risk-focused mindset with the ability to perform accurately under pressure in a fast-paced trading environment.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with traders, technology teams, and operations professionals at all levels.

• Demonstrated ability to identify process inefficiencies and champion technology-enabled solutions, including AI and automation, to drive operational excellence.

What Citi Can Offer You

By joining Citi Belfast, you will not only be part of a business casual workplace with a hybrid working model (up to 2 days working at home per week), but also receive a competitive base salary (which is annually reviewed), and enjoy a whole host of additional benefits such as:

• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

• A discretional annual performance related bonus

• Private Medical Care & Life Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program

• Pension Plan

• Paid Parental Leave

• Special discounts for employees, family, and friends

• Access to an array of learning and development resources

Alongside these benefits Citi is committed to ensuring our workplace is where everyone feels comfortable coming to work as their whole self, every day.

This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.

Job Family Group:

Institutional Trading

Job Family:

Trade Support

Time Type:

Full time

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi's EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.