Commodities Desk Operations Lead

DRW is a diversified trading firm with over 3 decades of experience bringing sophisticated technology and exceptional people together to operate in markets around the world.  We value autonomy and the ability to quickly pivot to capture opportunities, so we operate using our own capital and trading at our own risk. 

Headquartered in Chicago with offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, we trade a variety of asset classes including Fixed Income, ETFs, Equities, FX, Commodities and Energy across all major global markets. We have also leveraged our expertise and technology to expand into three non-traditional strategies: real estate, venture capital and cryptoassets. 

We operate with respect, curiosity and open minds. The people who thrive here share our belief that it’s not just what we do that matters–it’s how we do it.  DRW is a place of high expectations, integrity, innovation and a willingness to challenge consensus.  

As a Commodities Desk Operations Lead, you will be a leader within our Global Trading Operations team and provide strategic support to DRW’s Agricultural and Energy trading desks.  Primary responsibilities will include trade capture, trade confirmation, reconciliation, profit-and-loss calculation and analysis, which require communication with both front office traders and back-office colleagues, as well as with senior management in both departments.  Highly effective communication skills are critical as you will also have regular, direct interaction with a variety of other teams across the firm, including risk management, technology, and the firm’s partnership.  The ability to lead in a stressful environment while maintaining a high degree of professionalism is paramount.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and oversight for the processes and workflows needed to support the operational and trader assistant functions of the firm’s Agricultural and Energy trading desks.
• Manage trade and position reconciliation with the firm’s clearing firms, prime brokers, and bilateral counterparties.
• Daily P&L calculation and substantiation: while supporting each desk’s preferred method of aggregating and reporting P&L, ensure that such workflow conforms to and integrates with DRW’s standards
• Gain mastery of the firm’s proprietary and third-party trade capture, inventory management, and P&L reporting systems necessary to support the desks’ activity
• Act as process super-user for current workflows, resolving issues that may arise between internal groups at DRW and multiple external exchanges, clearers, and counterparties
• Identify and implement efficiencies within existing processes by leveraging technology to create innovative solutions that enhance workflow, reduce risk, and improve operational performance.
• Act as process super-user for current systems, providing critical support and advice regarding needed enhancements to technology, workflows, and processes
• Develop strong understanding of traders’ individual risk management tools and support of related traders’ needs
• Upgrading and support of traders’ tools to take advantage of technologies and tools that are firm standard
• Liaise with technical personnel to secure proper support/coverage for ongoing operations as well as procure enhancements for insufficient or new workflows. Focus should always be on process efficiency, risk reduction, and alignment with DRW standards
• Work closely with Business Liaison team to assure new desks, traders, and products are on-boarded correctly

Required Experience:

• 8+ years-experience working in trading or finance
• Extensive hands-on experience in Commodities Markets, encompassing both physical and financial commodities trading
• Experience with ICE, COMEX, CME, CBOT, and NODAL exchanges
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics or another quantitative field, or equivalent practical exposure
• Proven track record of managing a team and supporting the growth of business lines, leveraging technology, and the ability to learn new products
• Experience handling sensitive financial data appropriately
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse teams and senior management

• Adaptability in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating the ability to handle multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• In-depth understanding of Futures and Options

Preferred Experience:

• Prior interaction with front office and senior management personnel in an active trading environment, demonstrating the ability to influence and drive strategic initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to work with technology teams to create systematic solutions, leveraging technology to enhance trading operations
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, or another coding language, with the ability to leverage these skills for data analysis and process automation.
• Ability to work with databases, and utilize data from APIs preferred

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California residents, please review the California Privacy Notice for information about certain legal rights at https://drw.com/california-privacy-notice.

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