At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee the trade lifecycle for energy commodities in a dynamic investment bank.
- Company: Albany Beck, a specialist consultancy in financial services with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and opportunities to lead transformative projects.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and drive operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in energy trading operations while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in Commodities Middle Office and strong knowledge of energy products.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
- Role: Commodities Middle Office
- About Albany Beck
Albany Beck is a specialist financial services consultancy, providing expertise across Investment Banking, Capital Markets, Technology, Operations, Risk and Transformation.
We partner with leading financial institutions to deliver specialist consulting services, operational improvements and strategic transformation programmes.
Role Overview
Albany Beck is seeking an experienced Commodities Middle Office to support a leading global investment bank's Energy Trading Operations function in London.
This is a senior role responsible for overseeing the end-to-end trade lifecycle across physical and financial commodity products, with a particular focus on Oil, Natural Gas, LNG and Power.
The successful candidate will combine strong hands-on Commodities Middle Office experience with operational leadership, risk management and process improvement capabilities.
The role will cover both day-to-day operational oversight (Run the Bank) and strategic transformation initiatives (Change the Bank), ensuring robust controls, efficient trade processing and effective management of physical commodity settlements.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the end-to-end trade lifecycle for physical and financial commodity transactions, including trade capture, validation, confirmations, reconciliations and settlement.
- Provide senior Middle Office support across Energy products, including crude oil, refined oil, natural gas, LNG, power, emissions and associated OTC and exchange-traded derivatives.
- Manage physical commodity settlements, including inventory management, logistics, scheduling, nominations, storage and delivery obligations.
- Oversee physical delivery processes, including vessel movements, pipeline scheduling, terminal operations, inventory positions and supporting shipping documentation.
- Ensure effective controls across trade confirmations, settlements, pricing, reference data, reconciliations and exception management.
- Work closely with Front Office Trading, Risk, Finance, Technology, Settlements and external counterparties to resolve operational issues and mitigate risk.
- Oversee the management of complex OTC and exchange-traded derivatives, including futures lifecycle events, option expiries, clearing and settlement obligations.
- Monitor operational performance through KPIs and KRIs, ensuring timely trade confirmations, settlements, regulatory reporting and resolution of outstanding exceptions.
- Maintain a strong operational risk and control framework, identifying process weaknesses and implementing sustainable improvements.
- Ensure compliance with applicable UK and European regulatory requirements, including UK EMIR, Mi FID II/Mi FIR, REMIT and commodity position reporting.
- Support operational requirements relating to commodity exchanges and clearing houses, including ICE, LME and EEX.
- Lead process improvement and transformation initiatives focused on automation, operational efficiency, risk reduction and straight-through processing.
- Support new commodity product launches, ensuring appropriate operational processes, controls and infrastructure are established.
- Provide leadership and mentoring to junior team members, promoting accountability and operational excellence.
- Required Experience
- Extensive experience within Commodities Middle Office, Energy Trading Operations or Physical Commodity Operations, ideally gained within a global investment bank.
- Strong knowledge of physical and financial Energy products, particularly Oil, Gas and Power.
- Demonstrable experience managing physical energy settlements, including logistics, scheduling, nominations, inventory and delivery obligations.
- Strong understanding of the complete commodity trade lifecycle, including trade capture, confirmations, reconciliation, clearing and settlement.
- Experience supporting OTC and exchange-traded commodity derivatives, including futures, options and physical delivery contracts.
- Knowledge of commodity market infrastructure, trading platforms, exchanges and clearing houses.
- Strong understanding of Middle Office controls, operational risk management, P&L validation and intersystem reconciliations.
- Experience working with Front Office Trading, Risk, Finance, Technology and Operations teams.
- Understanding of relevant UK and European commodity trading regulations, including EMIR, Mi FID II/Mi FIR and REMIT.
- Proven experience delivering operational improvements, process automation or transformation initiatives.
- Previous experience operating at VP level or in a comparable senior leadership position, with the ability to manage stakeholders and mentor team members.
- Excellent communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
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Commodities Middle Office Manager in London employer: Albany Beck
At Albany Beck, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London or Birmingham with a hybrid working model. Our commitment to your professional growth is evident through our focus on learning and development, ensuring that you have the tools and support needed to thrive in your role as Head of Data & Customer Intelligence. Join us to be part of a collaborative culture that values customer-centric thinking and drives meaningful change within the Financial Services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commodities Middle Office Manager in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Albany Beck. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Commodities Middle Office Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Albany Beck.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Albany Beck's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Albany Beck
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Albany Beck.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Albany Beck will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Albany Beck employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
