Operations Specialist

About the role

Flow Traders is seeking a dedicated Operations Specialist to join our APAC team based in Hong Kong. The successful candidate will possess a strong analytical mindset and a proactive attitude, thriving in a fast-paced, high-pressure trading environment. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a leading proprietary trading firm that emphasizes operational excellence, continuous process improvement, and technological innovation. As an integral member of the operations team, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of trade lifecycle processes, managing risk, and supporting the firm's growth in the Asian markets. The role involves close collaboration with various internal teams, external counterparties, prime brokers, and technology units to optimize workflows and implement effective solutions.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Conduct daily reconciliations of trades, positions, and cash flows across multiple asset classes including listed equities, ETFs, futures, FX, and OTC derivatives.
• Monitor and manage profit and loss (P&L) attribution, ensuring accurate reflection of trading activities and positions.
• Perform cash and cost reconciliation to verify the integrity of financial data and identify discrepancies early.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve trade discrepancies, settlement issues, and corporate action events promptly, working closely with counterparties, custodians, and prime brokers to facilitate resolution.
• Review existing operational workflows from start to finish, mapping out business logic, data flows, and process steps to identify inefficiencies or manual bottlenecks.
• Develop and implement improved processes and automation solutions, leveraging AI-driven development tools and scripting languages such as Python and SQL, to streamline reconciliation, reporting, and control workflows.
• Maintain and enhance data pipelines supporting control and reporting workflows, ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and timeliness for operational and compliance purposes.
• Assist in onboarding new counterparties, prime brokers, and market connections, including setting up Secure Socket Interface (SSI) connections, conducting operational readiness testing, and ensuring compliance with internal standards.
• Collaborate with global technology teams to implement and support regional adaptations of global process and technology initiatives, ensuring seamless integration and adherence to best practices.
• Monitor operational risks throughout the trade lifecycle, proactively escalate issues, and participate in root cause analysis to prevent recurrence.
• Support the development of control frameworks and audit processes to ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Contribute to the ongoing review and enhancement of operational procedures, documentation, and training materials to promote best practices across the team.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to understand evolving business needs and translate them into operational solutions that improve efficiency and reduce risk.
• Participate in cross-functional projects aimed at technology upgrades, process automation, and data quality improvements, providing operational insights and testing support.
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail in all tasks, ensuring accuracy and consistency in trade processing and reporting.
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving, with the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and emerging issues.
• Communicate effectively with team members, management, and external partners to facilitate smooth operations and issue resolution.

Requirements

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in mid/back-office operations, preferably within a proprietary trading firm, hedge fund, or prime brokerage environment.
• Strong technical skills, with the ability to understand and work with code (Python, SQL) and data structures, whether through direct coding or utilizing AI tools for code generation.
• Proven ability to analyze complex process flows, understand underlying business logic, and translate that understanding into clear, actionable solutions.
• Deep knowledge of trade lifecycle processes, including listed equities, ETFs, futures, FX, and OTC derivatives.
• Familiarity with reconciliation frameworks, clearing and settlement processes, and Asian securities markets and their regulatory environment.
• Experience with AI-assisted development and productivity tools to expedite solution delivery and automate workflows.
• Ability to work with large datasets, conduct detailed analyses, and derive insights to improve operational processes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a proactive and assertive approach to resolving issues.
• Strong communication skills, capable of liaising effectively with internal teams and external counterparties.
• Attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy, especially when managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• A bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Nice to have

• Experience working in Asian securities markets and understanding of regional regulations.
• Knowledge of ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) compliance and related security standards.
• Prior exposure to AI-driven development tools and automation frameworks.
• Familiarity with data pipeline management and cloud-based data storage solutions.
• Experience in implementing process improvements within trading or financial operations.
• Multilingual skills relevant to the Asian markets would be advantageous.

Skills & tools

• Python programming language for automation and scripting.
• SQL for data querying and management.
• Data analysis and visualization tools.
• Knowledge of reconciliation frameworks and trade lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with AI development tools and productivity software.
• Understanding of operational risk management and control frameworks.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Practical notes

Flow Traders does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing or search firms. Any resumes or candidate information sent to Flow Traders without a signed search agreement will be considered free for Flow Traders to contact, and no placement fee will be owed if the candidate is hired. All candidate submissions must comply with internal policies and confidentiality standards. The company emphasizes internal development and prefers to source talent through direct channels. Candidates should be prepared for a comprehensive interview process that assesses technical skills, process understanding, and cultural fit. The role requires on-site presence at the Hong Kong office, and candidates must be eligible to work in Hong Kong. Flow Traders values diversity and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.