Settlements Associate

Trades Workforce Solutions; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm is seeking an Associate for the Global Equity Finance team based in London. The role involves managing collateral efficiently while ensuring compliance with risk parameters and daily obligations. Candidates should have a degree in finance or related fields and 3-5 years of relevant experience in the finance sector. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential. The position offers a hybrid work environment, allowing for both office and remote work.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years relevant product-related experience.
• Knowledge of trade matching, collateral management, and repos.
• Knowledge of equity finance transactions is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage collateral (triparty and bilateral) in a fluid environment.
• Manage daily reconciliation tasks.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Strong attention to detail

Strong interpersonal skills

Good working knowledge of excel

Analytical thinking and a problem solver

Solid writing and documentation skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, economics, or numerate subject

Tools

SWIFT network

Gloss/Global One/NEOLINK/HSBC cash / CITBANK/CREST

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Associate, Global Equity Finance

Date Written: 2025

Grade: 6

Immediate Manager’s Job Title: Associate Director, Global Equity Finance (London, UK)

Next Level Manager’s Job Title: MD of Derivative and Equity Operations (Toronto, Ontario)

Corporate Title: MD

Banking Group: CMIO

Department: CMIO

Employing Company: London Branch

Location: London, UK

Immediate Manager’s Location: London, UK

Regulatory Status: MRE (UK & Ireland)

Mandate

The role involves managing collateral within the Global Equity Finance team. This covers multiple books including BMO Capital Markets Limited, Bank of Montreal Europe plc and BMO London branch. The main goal is to ensure that collateral obligations are met daily in the most efficient manner and that exposure is managed within the risk parameters defined by the bank. Clear communication with the trading desk, clients and other areas within the group is also a key part of the job. Products covered include Equities, ADRs, ETFs, FX, Swaps as examples.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge:

• Undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, economics, or numerate subject.
• Minimum 3-5 years relevant product related experience.
• Solid business knowledge in the Finance/Banking industry.
• Knowledge of trade matching, collateral management, and repos. Triparty knowledge is required.
• Broad Market knowledge – Crest / Europe including Spain / South Africa / Canada / U.S. and some Asian / Pacific markets.
• Review and resolve stock and cash reconciliation items daily.
• Knowledge of Trade Matching, Settlement and Fails process.
• Payment knowledge desirable such as the SWIFT network and own account funding.
• Gloss/Global One/NEOLINK/HSBC cash / CITBANK/CREST system knowledge desirable.
• Knowledge of equity finance transactions is required. Experience in Stock borrowing is advantageous.
• Understanding of regulations impacting the settlements area including client money CASS and CSDR desirable.
• Understand front to back transaction workflow and controls.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at varying levels including sales desk and counterparties.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.

Skills:

• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Good working knowledge of excel.
• Analytical thinking and a problem solver.
• Solid writing and documentation skills.
• Communicates clearly and concisely with other banking groups and desks.
• Ability to work with developers and business analysts to build better systems and improve processes.
• Ability to work as part of a busy team and work as an individual on specific tasks as required.
• Ability to assist the desk with position management roles (returns management and collateral cover etc.).
• Be able to troubleshoot issues relating to international settlements and cash management issues.
• Ability to identify, resolve and/or escalate problems.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage collateral (triparty and bilateral) in a fluid environment.
• Manage cash payments and processing and provide funding assistance.
• Manage daily reconciliation tasks.
• Provide broad market knowledge.

Authorities (decision-making/autonomy)

• Advisory – Advise desk of progress with settlements and collateral requirements in relation to trading activity & limits (Pre‑pays, conversions, FX and trade).
• Auditing – Assist with audit requests where necessary.
• Issue Resolution – Problem solving as necessary for settlements, collateral and reconciliations.
• Coordinating – With counter parties, trading desks and banking groups and the team to optimise workflow.

Scope and Impact

• A successful candidate will be expected to work to maximise settlements and minimise unnecessary exposure to operational risk.
• Work with the team to ensure that cover is always provided where required and contribute to the cohesive nature of the team.

Cross Functional Relationships

• Work with FX and Money markets where required.
• Liaise with groups in Australia, the USA and Canada.
• Work with other infrastructure groups such as onboarding, Finance, Operations, Compliance and Risk.
• Work with GMO and the trading desk to ensure complicated products are well serviced.

Working Conditions

• This role operates within an office or remote (work from home) environment (Hybrid) with minimal exposure to discomfort or risk of ill health.

MREs or ‘Material Risk Employees’, also termed Material Employees or Code Staff, are categories of employees whose roles, either individually or collectively, have been assessed as being responsible for the management or control of material risks. National regulators require specific identification and governance processes to be applied to these categories of employees whose roles impact the risk profile of the organisation.