Market Operations Specialist - Belfast / NI - Exciting New FDI * Salary: Competitive bonus benefits About the Company Our client is building a world-class, institutional-grade trading venue in partnership with leading global financial institutions. Operating at the frontier of capital markets, technology, and data, the platform enables institutional participants to trade on structured event contracts within a regulated, electronic marketplace. The business combines market structure, clearing infrastructure, and advanced systems engineering to deliver meaningful, real-time information discovery at scale. As part of a global follow-the-sun operating model, Belfast is being established as a key European operations hub. This is an opportunity to join a high-impact team at an early stage and play a central role in building a regulated trading and clearing operation from the ground up. The Role The Market Operations Specialist is a senior, hands-on role responsible for maintaining a fair and orderly market while providing expert real-time operational and technical support to institutional trading clients and internal stakeholders. You will work directly with: Institutional trading firms Futures commission merchants (FCMs) Clearing banks Engineers and technology teams Product, compliance, and regulatory stakeholders Senior leadership This role requires resourcefulness, adaptability, and the ability to methodically diagnose and resolve complex issues in time-sensitive, high-visibility environments. You will operate both independently and collaboratively, acting as a key escalation point across trading, clearing, and operational workflows. The role is hybrid but strongly in-office leaning, reflecting the pace, collaboration, and early-stage build of the Belfast team. Key Responsibilities * Develop deep expertise in trading systems, order types, market functionality, and external connectivity * Provide advanced technical and operational support to market participants regarding trading, clearing, and data services * Monitor system integrity and maintain control of the trading environment * Coordinate communications and escalation of critical system issues with engineering teams * Maintain listed contracts, ensuring accurate product specifications, trading parameters, and settlement terms * Maintain and enhance user-facing technical documentation (e.g., FIX specifications, connectivity guides) * Perform log analysis and packet capture reviews to diagnose latency, execution, and trade integrity issues * Oversee daily settlement processes, including cash movements and payment instructions * Perform reconciliations across trade executions, collateral, and settlements, resolving breaks promptly * Manage the end-to-end clearing lifecycle including positions, margin, collateral, and delivery processing * Design, build, and maintain automation scripts to improve operational efficiency * Execute and refine operational procedures * Collaborate cross-functionally with Technology Operations, Product, QA, Sales, Compliance, and Regulation Essential Criteria * Bachelor's degree (ideally in economics, finance, computer science, mathematics, or information systems) or equivalent professional experience * 5 years' experience in trade support, middle-office operations, quantitative trade consulting, compliance, or systems/DevOps roles within an institutional trading or exchange environment * Proven experience supporting front- or mid-office trading operations in electronic markets * Strong understanding of electronic trading systems, matching engine mechanics, and market connectivity concepts * Experience with trading, clearing, and settlement workflows * Basic Python scripting experience to automate operational processes * Experience using SQL or Python to query and interpret large operational datasets * Excellent verbal and written communication skills * High attention to detail and strong analytical discipline * Comfortable working flexible, event-driven schedules including on-call support Desirable (Not Essential) * Experience in exchange-listed derivatives trading, clearing, or settlement * Familiarity with FIX Protocol (log analysis, certification, onboarding) * Experience applying complex queries to large datasets * Familiarity with automation scheduling tools (e.g., Rundeck) * Exposure to latency analysis, connectivity troubleshooting, or packet-level diagnostics Why Join * Be part of a high-impact team building a global regulated trading venue from the ground up * Join a well-capitalised, institutionally backed platform with experienced leadership * Play a key role in establishing and shaping the Belfast operations function * Gain exposure across trading, clearing, technology, and regulatory environments * Competitive compensation, bonus structure, and long-term career development * A culture focused on professionalism, collaboration, operational excellence, and sustainable performance How to Apply If you're a Market Operations professional with deep electronic trading experience and are excited by the opportunity to help build a new institutional trading platform in Belfast, we'd love to speak with you. Apply via this link or reach out directly to Phil Gamble at Ocho for a confidential discussion via LinkedIn or WhatsApp.