Operations Analyst – Energy Trading

Job description

Qube Research & Technologies (QRT) is a global quantitative and systematic investment manager operating across a broad range of asset classes and markets. Driven by data, technology and scientific research, we bring together quantitative expertise and engineering to develop innovative investment strategies. **Your future role within QRT** As our Energy Trading business continues to grow, we are looking for an Operations Analyst to join our team in Sydney. Sitting close to the trading business, you will play a critical role across the trade lifecycle, partnering with Traders, Risk, Treasury, Finance, Technology and COO teams to ensure our energy trading activity is supported accurately and efficiently. Initially, you will focus on supporting our existing Energy Trading activities across listed and OTC commodity products. As the business evolves, there is scope for the role to broaden into our physical energy and gas activities, providing exposure to new markets, products and increasingly complex operational workflows. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the action: solving problems, taking ownership and continually looking for better ways of doing things. **What you'll be doing** - Own key elements of the trade lifecycle, from trade capture and affirmation through to reconciliation, confirmation and settlement. - Perform daily cash, transaction and position reconciliations, investigating and resolving breaks quickly and accurately. - Support commodity futures, options and OTC products across the Energy Trading business. - Act as a focal point for operational issues and queries, working closely with Traders and internal stakeholders to drive resolution. - Partner with Prime Brokers, Brokers, Clearing Houses, Administrators and other external counterparties. - Work closely with Trading, Risk, Treasury, Finance, Technology and COO teams on operational matters and new initiatives. - Identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen controls and increase automation. - Support new products, markets and trading strategies from an operational readiness perspective. - As the business develops, help build the operational processes and controls required to support Japan physical energy and gas trading activities. **Your present skillset** You'll bring 5+ years' experience within Operations or Middle Office in an investment bank, hedge fund, commodity trading firm or similarly sophisticated trading environment. You'll have a strong understanding of the trade lifecycle and experience supporting listed and/or OTC derivatives. Knowledge of commodities – particularly futures and options – will be highly valued, while experience across energy, gas, power, physical commodities or Japanese energy markets would be advantageous rather than essential. **Just as importantly, we're looking for someone who:** - Takes ownership and follows problems through to resolution. - Has excellent attention to detail and a strong appreciation of operational risk. - Can make sound, independent decisions in a fast-moving environment. - Builds credibility with Traders and senior stakeholders. - Is analytical, curious and comfortable challenging existing processes. - Looks for opportunities to automate and improve rather than accepting "the way it's always been done". - Is a collaborative team player who is equally comfortable operating independently. - Is keen to learn new products and markets as our Energy business grows. - Exposure to automation or technical tools such as Python, SQL or VBA would be beneficial but is not essential. **What success looks like** Success in this role means becoming a trusted partner to the Energy Trading desk, ensuring trades are processed accurately and on time while taking ownership of issues and resolving exceptions before they become problems. You'll maintain a strong control environment and provide calm, high-quality operational support – including during periods of heightened market activity. Beyond the day-to-day, you'll build strong relationships across the business and continually look for ways to make our operations smarter and more scalable. As our Energy platform grows, you'll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge, help shape new operational processes and play a meaningful role in supporting the evolution of the business. You will build strong relationships across the business, working closely with Traders, Risk, Treasury, Finance and Technology to provide responsive support and practical solutions. Beyond day-to-day operations, you will continually look for opportunities to improve processes, strengthen controls and drive efficiencies through automation and smarter ways of working, helping the team scale as the business continues to grow.