Senior Director, Derivatives Operations

Senior Director, Derivatives Operations

Apply locations: Copenhagen, London, Zurich, Warsaw, Vienna

Time type: Full time

Posted on: Posted 5 Days Ago

Job requisition id: R-208083

About us:

For over 50 years, we have worked closely with investment and asset managers to become the world’s leading provider of integrated investment management solutions. We are 3,000+ colleagues with a broad range of nationalities, educations, professional experiences, ages, and backgrounds.

SimCorp is an independent subsidiary of the Deutsche Börse Group. Following the recent merger with Axioma, we leverage the combined strength of our brands to provide an industry-leading, full, front-to-back offering for our clients.

SimCorp is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culture where diverse perspectives and expertise are integrated into our everyday work. We believe in the continual growth and development of our employees, so that we can provide best-in-class solutions to our clients.

About the role:

The Head of Derivatives Operations will be a senior leader within the Investment Operations function, responsible for shaping and leading the derivatives operations team. This role involves building a highly effective team, delivering strategic initiatives, and overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of derivatives across various asset classes. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in derivatives operations and a proven history of leadership to design and implement a best-in-class derivatives function that supports the broader goals of the investment management firm.

Expertise in running derivative operations on SimCorp Dimension is mandatory, and additional experience in building and developing derivatives operations teams around SimCorp Dimension is highly beneficial.

Your responsibilities:

Strategic & Team Leadership:

• Develop and execute the derivatives operations strategy aligned with the overarching Business Service goals.
• Build and grow the derivatives team, including hiring, mentoring, and development.
• Set the team’s roadmap, including technology and operational processes.
• Foster a team culture of collaboration, operational excellence, and continuous learning.

Operational Oversight & Risk Management:

• Oversee day-to-day derivatives operations, ensuring accurate processing, settlement, and lifecycle management of OTC and listed derivatives.
• Establish and enforce controls, policies, and procedures to manage operational risk, ensure compliance with regulations (e.g., EMIR, Dodd-Frank, MiFID II), and prepare for audits.
• Monitor performance metrics, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement in operational processes and systems.

Stakeholder Management & Transformation:

• Act as the primary contact for derivatives operations, engaging with front office, risk, compliance, and senior management.
• Build relationships with external counterparties to resolve issues and improve service quality.
• Lead transformation projects to improve efficiency, scalability, and automation, while implementing innovative solutions to stay ahead of industry trends and regulatory changes.

Required Experience:

• 10-15+ years of experience in derivatives operations, with a significant portion spent in leadership roles within asset management, hedge funds, or investment banking.
• Proven expertise in running a derivative operations team on SimCorp Dimension is mandatory.
• Extensive knowledge of derivative products (e.g., swaps, options, futures, forwards) across asset classes (equity, fixed income, commodities, FX).
• Experience in building and leading high-performing derivatives teams around SimCorp Dimension is beneficial.
• Experience in designing and optimizing trade lifecycle processes, including trade capture, margining, collateral management, and settlements.
• Significant familiarity with industry-standard platforms (e.g. TriOptima, Cassini, MarkitWire, Acadia, FXall etc.), knowledge of automation technologies (RPA) is a plus.
• In-depth understanding of regulatory frameworks (EMIR, Dodd-Frank, MiFID II) and operational risk management.
• Demonstrated experience in making large-scale operational changes, including technology upgrades and process automation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, or a related field; an advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CFA, FRM) is highly desirable.
• Comprehensive leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, capable of leading both day-to-day operations and long-term projects.

This role calls for a strategic leader who can not only oversee current derivatives operations but also shape the future direction of the function to support the firm’s growth and innovation goals.

Next step:

Send your CV and motivational letter in English.

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