Market Settlements Administrator

AJ Bell; Salford; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension with matched contributions

Discretionary bonus

Share schemes

Health Cash Plan

Private healthcare

Free onsite gym

Travel and bike loan schemes

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

AJ Bell is seeking a Market Settlements Administrator to help ensure trades settle accurately and on time within the Custody unit. You will manage workload, liaise with colleagues, and build a deep understanding of how investment transactions move through markets.

No prior market settlements experience is required; the role suits those who are detail‑oriented, organised, and deadline‑driven. Training and development in settlements will be provided.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a financial services administration or operations role is desirable, but not essential.
• Knowledge of banking payment methods such as BACS, Faster Payments, debit cards and cheques would be useful.
• Good IT skills, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• An understanding of financial markets, settlements or custody would be an advantage, but full training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Oversee trade records within the back-office system, ensuring precise and timely communication of trade instructions to custodians and markets.
• Generate, update, and distribute reports on failing trade positions and risks; escalate issues to the Team Leader/Manager as needed.
• Manage failing trade positions to ensure timely settlement where possible.
• Monitor Crest Member Accounts to ensure onward delivery of stock.
• Utilise Crest GUI, Clearstream, Cofunds Website to manage stock flows.
• Process certificated stock deposits through the Crest system.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organised

Deadline driven

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Outlook

Job description

At AJ Bell, we believe investing should feel good. For our customers, that means being able to invest and manage their money with confidence, knowing the important details are being taken care of behind the scenes.

As a Market Settlements Administrator, you'll play an important role in making that happen. You'll help ensure trades are settled accurately and on time, money and stock move where they need to, and our regulatory responsibilities are met.

This is an opportunity to build a career in financial services. You don't need previous market settlements experience to apply. We're looking for someone who is organised, curious and comfortable working with detail and deadlines. If you already have experience in financial services or settlements, we'd also love to hear from you and can recognise the knowledge and expertise you bring.

You'll join our Market Settlements team within Custody, working across Crest Settlement and Clearstream Settlement. You'll manage your own workload, work closely with colleagues across AJ Bell and develop a detailed understanding of how investment transactions move through the market.

What you'll do

Keep trades moving

• Oversee trade records within the back-office system, ensure precise and timely communication of trade instructions to relevant custodians and markets, and address any queries raised by market counterparties, clients, fund providers, or internal teams within AJB.
• Generate, update, and distribute reports on failing trade positions and risks. Resolve or elevate issues to the Team Leader/Manager.
• Manage failing trade positions to ensure timely settlement where possible.
• Monitor and manage Crest Member Accounts to ensure onward delivery of stock.
• Manage efficient stock flows through the AJB nominee by utilising external reporting tools (Crest GUI, Clearstream, Cofunds Website).
• Processing certificated stock deposits through the Crest system.

Get the detail right

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting for MiFID II Transaction Reporting.
• Instructing cash movements on the online banking systems & identifying/applying incoming payment.
• Perform root cause analysis on reconciliation breaks and use to implement preventative measures alongside the Team Leader.
• Handle Stamp Duty/SDRT discrepancies and resolve issues with HMRC.
• Report any CASS breaches or suspected breaches immediately to the Line Manager.
• Ensure all relevant procedures are updated and accurate at all times.

Help us improve

• Support project implementations, fixes and upgrades through testing of software and defining the needs of the team. Ensuring that all processes and procedures are updated in line with systemic implementations.
• Perform ad hoc tasks as per the business needs as defined by the Team Leader, Market Settlements manager and Head of Custody.
• Ensure productive working relationships with other teams by coordinating efforts to develop efficient and effective operational processes.

Put customers at the heart of what you do

Although much of this role happens behind the scenes, the work you do has a direct impact on our customers.

You’ll follow structured processes to deliver accurate outcomes, while making sure everything you do meets our regulatory responsibilities, including Consumer Duty.

You’ll also understand the needs of vulnerable customers, following best practice and documenting the reasonable steps taken to ensure they are treated fairly.

What we're looking for

This role could suit someone starting their career in financial services or someone who already has experience in settlements, custody, banking or investment operations.

Experience and knowledge

• Previous experience in a financial services administration or operations role is desirable, but not essential.
• Knowledge of banking payment methods such as BACS, Faster Payments, debit cards and cheques would be useful.
• Good IT skills, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• An understanding of financial markets, settlements or custody would be an advantage, but full training will be provided.

What matters most

• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to getting things right.
• A willingness to learn and develop your knowledge of market settlements and financial services.
• Strong organisation skills and the ability to manage and prioritise your own workload.
• Comfortable working to deadlines and following structured processes.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to investigate issues and ask questions.
• A positive, supportive approach to working with colleagues.
• Strong communication skills and a commitment to providing excellent service.
• The ability to work independently when required, while knowing when to ask for help or elevate an issue.
• A genuine interest in finding better and more efficient ways of working.

Whether you're bringing relevant experience or looking for your next step, we're interested in people who take pride in their work, enjoy learning and understand the importance of getting the detail right.

About AJ Bell

At AJ Bell, we believe investing should feel good. Whether you’re looking for an ISA, pension or dealing account, whether you want to invest with the help of a financial adviser or do it yourself, we have easy-to-use solutions to suit people from all walks of life.

We’re one of the UK’s fastest-growing investment platform businesses, trusted by everyone from professional financial advisers to first-time investors.

Today, over 762,000 customers trust us to manage more than £121.5 billion of assets. By continually striving to make investing simpler and more accessible, we’re helping more people take control of their financial futures.

Our operational teams play an important part in that experience. When trades settle accurately, money and investments move smoothly and issues are resolved quickly, customers can manage their investments with greater confidence.

We’re proud to be recognised as a Great Place to Work® for the past two years, building on six consecutive years as one of the UK’s Best 100 Companies to Work For. It’s recognition we’re proud of and a reflection of the supportive and collaborative culture we strive to create for our people.

What we offer

• Starting salary of £26,000 (can be higher dependent on financial services experience)
• 25days holiday, increasing with service + buy/sell scheme + bank holidays
• 6% Pension with matched contributions
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Share schemes (including free shares and BAYE)
• Health Cash Plan and discounted private healthcare
• Free onsite gym
• Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Travel and bike loan schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme

Life at AJ Bell

• Regular social events including summer and Christmas parties
• Learning and development opportunities tailored to you
• Casual dress code
• Friendly, supportive team environment

Our ways of working

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That’s why we offer a hybrid working model where you’ll spend 3-4 days per week in the office. For new team members, the first 3 months will be spent full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

Inclusion & diversity

We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, supported and able to be themselves at work.

We welcome Administrator applications from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills, experience and potential.

Your application, reviewed by people

We believe great hiring starts with people. That’s why every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment team, rather than screened by AI. It may take us a few days to get back to you, but please be assured that your application will be given the time and attention it deserves.