Overview
The Senior Associate is a key member of the Share Plans Operations team, responsible for managing complex operational tasks, reviewing and authorising team output, mentoring junior colleagues, and driving process improvements. This role demands strong expertise in equity products, derivatives, and the trade life cycle, along with excellent problem-solving, quality control, and stakeholder management skills.
The Senior Associate is expected to contribute both to daily production and team development, ensuring operational accuracy, adherence to controls, and alignment with regulatory and business requirements.
Key Accountabilities and main responsibilities
Strategic Focus
- Act as a subject matter expert (SME) in share plans & share dealing operations.
- Support the implementation of new processes, systems, and controls aligned with business strategy.
- Contribute to team and organizational goals through collaboration, cross-functional engagement, and proactive problem-solving.
- Provide insights and recommendations to management on operational risks, efficiency, and client experience improvements.
Operational Management
- Execute and oversee day-to-day activities within the trade life cycle (trade capture, confirmation, settlement, exception handling).
- Validate and authorise transactions, ensuring compliance with market regulations and internal policies.
- Handle complex queries and escalations from clients, brokers, custodians, and internal teams.
- Lead error analysis and root cause identification, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Draft, maintain, and update Business Process Manuals (BPMs), training guides, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Actively participate in automation and process improvement initiatives to improve quality, timeliness, and efficiency.
- Support handling of corporate actions, reconciliations, and settlement obligations related to equity plans and trades.
People Leadership
- Mentor and guide new joiners and junior colleagues, providing training and knowledge transfer.
- Act as a quality checker/authoriser for team deliverables, ensuring accuracy and adherence to controls.
- Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning.
- Provide feedback and coaching to team members to help improve performance and quality.
Governance & Risk
- Ensure compliance with internal control frameworks, market regulations, and firm-wide policies.
- Contribute to audits, regulatory inspections, and internal control testing by providing accurate data and explanations.
- Conduct error trend analysis and work with management to strengthen control environments.
- Escalate issues and risks promptly, with detailed analysis and proposed solutions.
- Support the embedding of a strong risk culture across the team.
The above list of key accountabilities is not an exhaustive list and may change from time-to-time based on business needs.
Experience & Personal Attributes
- Master s or Bachelor s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field
- 4-5 years of relevant experience in Equity Markets, Trade Life Cycle, Derivatives, Share Plans, or similar operational roles.
- Hands-on exposure to trade booking, confirmation, settlement, and dealing processes.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office; VBA/Macros knowledge preferred.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage confidently with stakeholders.
- Strong time management and prioritisation skills; ability to deliver under pressure and meet deadlines.
- High attention to detail with ability to work on high-volume processes accurately.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, with focus on root cause and control.
- Demonstrates teamwork, adaptability, and a proactive approach to challenges.
- Self-motivated, eager to learn, and committed to professional development.
- Flexible to work in rotational shifts.
- Displays a can do mentality and ownership mindset.
