Operations Specialist - Energy

DRW is a diversified trading firm with over 3 decades of experience bringing sophisticated technology and exceptional people together to operate in markets around the world. We value autonomy and the ability to quickly pivot to capture opportunities, so we operate using our own capital and trading at our own risk. Headquartered in Chicago with offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, we trade a variety of asset classes including Fixed Income, ETFs, Equities, FX, Commodities and Energy across all major global markets. We have also leveraged our expertise and technology to expand into three non-traditional strategies: real estate, venture capital and cryptoassets. We operate with respect, curiosity and open minds. The people who thrive here share our belief that it’s not just what we do that matters–it’s how we do it. DRW is a place of high expectations, integrity, innovation and a willingness to challenge consensus.

As a Trading Operations Specialist, you will join our Global Trading Operations (GTO) team and provide dedicated support to DRW’s Energy trading desks. Primary responsibilities will include trade reconciliation, confirmation and settlement which requires liaising with both front office traders, commercial operations and GTO colleagues, including senior management in the departments. Highly effective communication and organizational skills are therefore critical as you will also have regular, direct interaction with a variety of other teams across the firm, including risk and business management, technology, compliance and the firm’s partnership. The ability to work in a demanding environment, and multi-tasking, while maintaining a high degree of professionalism is paramount.

What you’ll do in this role:

• Provide ownership for and command of the processes and workflows needed to support operational functions of the firm’s Energy trading desks.
• Trade and position reconciliation with the firm’s clearing firms and prime brokers, including understanding on the limits, broker permissions and other dependencies that exchange trading involves.
• Gain in-depth understanding of the firm’s proprietary and third-party trade capture, inventory management, and reconciliation systems necessary to support the desks’ activity.
• Act as process super-user for current workflows and systems, resolving issues that may arise between internal groups at DRW and multiple external exchanges, clearers, brokers, third party system vendors and counterparties; provide critical support and advice regarding needed enhancements to technology, workflows, and processes.
• Develop strong understanding of traders’ individual risk management tools and support of related traders’ needs.
• Upgrade and support traders’ and operations’ tools to take advantage of technologies and platforms that are firm standard.
• Liaise with technical personnel to secure proper support/coverage for ongoing operations and implement enhanced workflows, with a focus on process efficiency, risk reduction, and alignment with DRW standards.
• Work closely with Business Liaison team to assure new desks, traders, and products are on-boarded correctly.

You’ll be right at home if you have:

• Strong knowledge and expertise in timely confirmation and settlement of both financial and physical gas and power trades – swaps, forwards, options and other bespoke trade structures.
• Experience supporting the operational demands of both transmission (TSO) and storage (SSO) system operators.
• An understanding of non-standard energy trading structures preferred.
• Experience supporting the trading on European spot gas markets of EEX and ICE would be beneficial.
• Some familiarity with the European energy regulatory framework, in particular REMIT and the systems and mechanisms used to comply.
• Prior interaction with front office and senior management teams in an active trading environment preferred.
• Experience using the Endur CTRM system strongly preferred along with familiarity with execution platforms such as Trayport.
• Strong MS Excel skills (preference for some proficiency with VBA).
• Ability to work with databases, and utilize data from APIs preferred. Python coding skills preferred but not required.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics or material equivalent exposure.
• Demonstrated ability to independently and quickly solve problems.
• Able to perform repeatable tasks with consistent results.
• Able to handle sensitive financial data appropriately.
• A focus on control, strong attention to detail and take pride in your work.