Associate Director, Risk & Margin

About the role

Clear Street is modernizing the brokerage ecosystem. Founded in 2018, Clear Street is a diversified financial services firm replacing the legacy infrastructure used across capital markets. We started from scratch by building a completely cloud-native clearing and custody system designed for today's complex, global market. Clear Street's proprietary prime brokerage platform adds significant efficiency to the market, while focusing on minimizing risk, redundancy, and cost for clients. Our goal is to create a single source-of-truth platform for every asset class, in every country, and in any currency. By combining highly-skilled product and engineering talent with seasoned finance professionals, we're building the essentials to compete in today's fast-paced markets. The Associate Director, Risk & Margin will oversee daily margin activities, ensure strict compliance with regulatory mandates and internal house requirements, and develop strategic initiatives to enhance team performance and support business expansion. This role demands deep expertise across financial instruments, collateral management, relevant regulatory frameworks, and the end-to-end front-to-back office processes related to trading and clearing.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Analyze and optimize end-to-end margin processes, identifying bottlenecks and implementing controls that strengthen accuracy and reliability.
• Architect and refine collateral management frameworks, establishing standards for eligibility, optimization, and allocation that align with firm objectives.
• Interpret and apply regulatory requirements including Federal Reserve Regulation T, FINRA 4210, CFTC, and SEC 18a-3 to ensure operations remain robust and current.
• Lead the calculation, issuance, and settlement of margin calls, maintaining rigorous standards that support clear and timely communication.
• Evaluate and enhance risk methodologies, working closely with stakeholders to align margin policies with business strategy and regulatory expectations.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives that connect front office trading, middle office risk, and back office settlement to streamline workflows.
• Monitor and report on key risk and margin metrics, using insights to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Partner with technology and product teams to deliver solutions that scale as the platform expands across asset classes and jurisdictions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert, advising internal teams on margin policies, procedures, and emerging best practices.
• Drive adoption of process improvements, ensuring documentation and execution remain consistent and compliant.
• Collaborate with external partners and regulators to resolve inquiries and support transparent oversight.
• Develop scenario analyses and stress testing frameworks that clarify collateral and margin implications under varied market conditions.
• Mentor junior staff, elevating the team's capability and consistency through coaching and knowledge sharing.
• Champion data integrity and operational discipline, reinforcing the reliability of systems and reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as mathematics, statistics, finance, economics, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in margin, collateral, or risk management within a brokerage or prime brokerage environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Federal Reserve Regulation T, FINRA 4210, CFTC, and SEC 18a-3 and their application in real-world scenarios.
• Familiarity with global clearing and settlement processes, including the interaction between front-to-back office workflows.
• Proven ability to manage complex financial instruments and associated collateral requirements.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the capacity to interpret regulatory guidance and translate it into operational controls.
• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in calculations, documentation, and reporting.
• Strong communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives in a regulated financial services environment.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of compliance and ethical conduct.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as finance, economics, or engineering.
• Professional certifications such as CFA, FRM, or similar credentials.
• Experience with cloud-native platforms and modern data architectures.
• Background in fintech or a regulated financial services firm focused on innovation.

Practical notes

This role is based in Chicago, New York, or Tampa and operates full-time hours. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship, as Clear Street does not currently sponsor H-1B, J-1, or other work visas at this time. The engagement is full-time, and successful candidates are expected to work from one of the listed office locations.