Business Analyst - Trade Settlements

About the Role: We are seeking a highly experienced consultant to join our Capital Markets Advisory practice, specializing in T+1 settlement transformation. You will lead strategic engagements across global financial institutions to help them prepare for, and transition to, accelerated settlement cycles in the UK, EU, and Switzerland. This role combines regulatory understanding, operating model design, technology modernization, and cross-functional stakeholder management. You will work directly with C-suite executives, operations heads, technology leads, and regulatory bodies to deliver end-to-end transformation solutions that reduce operational risk and improve market efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Advisory & Transformation Strategy: Advise banks, asset managers, brokers, and custodians on the operational, regulatory, and technology implications of T+1 (and future T+0) settlements. Assess current-state readiness and design target-state operating models for trade lifecycle compression. Deliver impact assessment studies, Target Operating Models blueprints, and execution roadmaps tailored to market-specific timelines and infrastructure.
• Cross-Market Expertise: Interpret and map out T+1 transition mandates across the UK (Accelerated Settlement Taskforce), EU (ESMA), and Switzerland (FINMA, SIX). Identify cross-border settlement pain points (e.g., FX cutoffs, time zone mismatches, allocation delays) and recommend industry-aligned solutions. Represent the firm at industry working groups (e.g., ISDA, SIFMA, ASTF) and help clients shape proactive responses.
• Process & Technology Modernization: Collaborate with client teams and third-party vendors to accelerate automation of allocations, trade confirmations, and settlement matching (T+0). Recommend and implement vendor solutions like DTCC CTM, Swift Accord, Xceptor, ION, and Broadridge where appropriate. Oversee data readiness, exception management models, and testing frameworks to support transition timelines.
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Conduct gap analysis against CSDR (EU), SEC Rule 15c6-2 (US), FCA/BoE guidelines (UK), and Swiss regulations. Design controls, exception monitoring, and fail resolution frameworks to reduce post-trade risk. Guide clients on reporting, cash penalties, and end-client communication strategies.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Finance, Economics, Engineering, or Business Strategy. Additional certifications (e.g., CFA, FRM, PMP, PRINCE2) are a plus.
• Professional Experience: 6–12 years in financial services consulting, capital markets advisory, or post-trade transformation. Strong understanding of front-to-back trade lifecycle, especially in equities, ETFs, derivatives, and fixed income. Hands-on experience advising clients on T+1 or T+2 process optimization or regulatory transformation.
• Consulting & Delivery Skills: Proven experience leading complex client engagements with multiple workstreams. Comfortable navigating ambiguity, influencing senior stakeholders, and driving execution in global organizations. Adept at creating client deliverables—impact assessments, board presentations, TOM design, change management plans.
• Technical Familiarity: Exposure to post-trade platforms: DTCC CTM, Swift, Omgeo Oasys, Murex, Calypso, Broadridge, Xceptor. Understanding of APIs, STP design, data quality issues, and regulatory tech integrations.

Why Join Us:

• Influence global financial market infrastructure evolution.
• Work with Tier 1 clients on high-impact transformation mandates.
• Fast-track leadership in a growing capital markets advisory practice.
• Access to cutting-edge tools, thought leadership, and partner ecosystems.

Preferred Experience:

• Participation in global T+1 strategy working groups.
• Prior experience at a global bank, clearing house, or technology vendor involved in T+1 implementation.