IT Support Specialist for Trading Platforms

We are seeking a skilled professional to fill the role of External Application Support Analyst.

This position is part of our External Application Support team and requires the individual to provide 2nd line support and maintain 3rd party applications, ensuring 24 x 5.5 coverage.

The successful candidate will be responsible for critical services delivered to the ever-changing demands of the business, including governing a portfolio of applications and services.

The role will work closely with the business and 3rd party providers to ensure the highest possible service level is maintained across Front Office trading applications, Middle Office, Back Office and Settlement platforms.

• Proactive management of business critical 24/5.5 real-time trading systems, middle office systems, back office and settlement systems, identifying issues and potential problem areas.
• Interacting with various internal IT support functions; Infrastructure, Development, Quality Assurance, Operations and external 3rd party vendors to troubleshoot and resolve complex incidents.
• Actively identifying incidents and as necessary managing the incident resolution process, providing service recovery while managing client communications and their expectations.
• Ensuring compliance with departmental policies (i.e. change management, IT security standards, release management, incident management).
• Working with all parties to provide services to agreed SLAs.
• Working through Disaster Recovery planning and testing.
• Ensuring documentation is written for all systems / processes and kept up to date.
• Working closely with the business to provide input on technology strategy.
• Responsible for all trading system, middle office, and back office system upgrades, including testing, implementation and support of the established infrastructure.
• Building and maintaining working relationships with 3rd party vendors and exchanges, providing updates and project status reports as required to ensure open communications.

• Flexible and professional under pressure, strong interpersonal skills, commitment and focus on succeeding in a challenging environment.
• Good understanding of a range of enterprise technologies.
• Excellent problem solving, planning and organisation skills.
• Excellent documentation skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong customer service focus with a desire to deliver a high-quality service.
• Ability to develop new skills and understand new technology as required.

Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of Electronic Trading Systems, Middle office applications and back office / settlement systems (MQ, TEO, LISA, Exchange technology, RIMS, SWIFT, CREST, EASYWAY, DTCC, EQUIAS, Trayport, Trading Technologies, Alteryx, LANE).
• Knowledge and experience of database interrogation and manipulation.
• Good understanding of the Trade Life Cycle (STP).
• Risk Knowledge/P&L Experience.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Applications (Windows Server/Client).
• Knowledge of UNIX / LINUX.
• Good understanding of the FIX Protocol.
• Knowledge of compliance controls and exchange regulatory obligations.
• Understanding of Equities, Derivatives, Foreign Exchange, and Fixed Income markets.
• Knowledge of ServiceNow.

• Experience of working in an ITIL environment (ideally with ITIL certification).
• Experience supporting Production Applications on both Unix and Windows environments.
• Extensive experience of supporting Front Office Trading Applications, Middle Office, Back Office and Settlements systems.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent combination of education and experience.