Explore a wide range of Securities and Derivatives Intermediate Analyst jobs, a pivotal middle-office career path within global financial institutions. Professionals in this intermediate-level role are essential to the accurate and efficient processing, clearing, and settlement of complex financial instruments. Acting as a critical bridge between front-office trading desks and back-office operations, these analysts ensure the integrity of securities and derivatives transactions, mitigating operational risk and ensuring regulatory compliance. The typical day-to-day responsibilities for someone in this profession are multifaceted. A core function involves the end-to-end trade lifecycle management for products such as equities, bonds, and both Over-the-Counter (OTC) and exchange-traded derivatives. This includes trade affirmation and confirmation, settlement instruction, and resolving any discrepancies that arise. Analysts perform daily reconciliations of cash, positions, and trades between internal systems and external counterparts like custodians or clearinghouses. They are deeply involved in collateral management, margin calls, and corporate action processing. Furthermore, a significant part of the role entails rigorous reporting—generating daily risk and position reports for traders and management, as well as ensuring accurate and timely regulatory reporting to relevant authorities. They also play a key role in process improvement, utilizing data analysis to identify inefficiencies and often participating in system testing, upgrades, and client onboarding projects. To succeed in these jobs, candidates generally require a strong educational foundation, typically a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, or a quantitative field like mathematics or engineering. Employers seek individuals with several years of direct experience in securities or derivatives operations, demonstrating a solid understanding of financial markets and product mechanics. Technical proficiency is non-negotiable; advanced skills in MS Excel (often including VBA for automation), SQL for data querying, and familiarity with industry platforms like Bloomberg are highly valued. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are crucial for investigating complex settlement issues. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for coordinating with global teams, clients, and internal stakeholders. Finally, a meticulous attention to detail, a strong control mindset, and the ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment are the hallmarks of a skilled analyst. For finance professionals seeking a dynamic and technically demanding career at the heart of market infrastructure, Securities and Derivatives Intermediate Analyst jobs offer a challenging and rewarding pathway with significant opportunities for growth and specialization.
