At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT support and infrastructure for a fast-paced trading environment.
- Company: Dynamic financial services firm with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative team culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-evolving industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-stakes trading environment while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in IT support within trading firms and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
We are seeking a proactive and experienced IT Manager to lead IT Support and Infrastructure based at our headquarters. This role is responsible for delivering high-quality, business-critical IT services to traders and support staff in a fast-paced trading floor environment with about 150 users. The successful candidate will have prior experience within a trading firm (prop firm, broker, hedge fund, or bank) and a strong understanding of the urgency, precision, and communication style required to support live trading environments. This is a hands-on leadership role, combining day-to-day technical involvement with ownership of infrastructure, vendor relationships, and the management of a small support team. You will be responsible for ensuring the stability, performance, and continuous improvement of end-user computing, infrastructure, and application support, while developing and mentoring a team of two IT Support Analysts.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of 2 IT Support team members, setting priorities, managing workloads, and supporting professional development.
- Act as the escalation point for complex technical issues and trading-critical incidents.
- Define and improve IT support processes, SLAs, and escalation procedures.
- Foster a service-driven, calm, and responsive support culture aligned to trading floor demands.
- IT Support & Operations
- Oversee and provide hands-on support for 2nd & 3rd line IT support to the trading floor and wider business.
- Ensure rapid response and resolution of incidents impacting traders during market hours.
- Manage user accounts, access controls, permissions, and identity lifecycle across systems.
- Produce and maintain clear technical documentation, procedures, and incident reports.
- Own the end-user computing environment, including desktops, laptops, peripherals, and trading floor setups.
- Manage installation, configuration, and lifecycle of hardware, operating systems, and applications.
- Monitor and maintain on-prem and cloud infrastructure relevant to end-user and trading support.
- Coordinate with vendors and third parties for hardware procurement, support, and maintenance.
- Software & Applications
- Support and manage core business and trading applications, including trading platforms and market data systems.
- Lead and support the rollout of new software, platforms, and upgrades.
- Test, evaluate, and recommend new technologies to improve performance, reliability, and trader productivity.
- Identify risks, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities across IT support and infrastructure.
- Participate in and lead infrastructure and technology projects as required.
- Ensure systems and processes are robust, scalable, and aligned with business growth.
Skills & Experience
- Minimum 5–10 years’ experience in IT support or infrastructure roles within a trading firm (prop trading, hedge fund, brokerage, or investment bank).
- Demonstrated experience supporting traders or trading desks in live market environments.
- Previous experience managing or mentoring IT support staff.
- Strong understanding of trading floor technologies, including trading platforms, market data systems, low-latency environments and/or voice recording systems.
- Strong Windows administration skills.
- Solid experience with Microsoft 365, Azure, and Active Directory.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure.
- Hands-on, pragmatic approach with the ability to balance operational support and longer-term improvements.
IT Manager - Financial Services employer: Axia Markets Pro
As an IT Manager at our headquarters, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth and development. We offer competitive benefits and a collaborative environment where your expertise in financial services will be valued, allowing you to make a significant impact on our trading operations. Join us to lead a dedicated team while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a fast-paced trading floor setting, where every day presents new challenges and opportunities for innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Manager - Financial Services
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Axia Markets Pro values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Axia Markets Pro might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Axia Markets Pro!
✨Direct Apply to Axia Markets Pro
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Axia Markets Pro website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Manager - Financial Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Axia Markets Pro.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Axia Markets Pro. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Axia Markets Pro
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.