Associate Director, Operations

The Opportunity

As a senior member of the Dublin Operations team, you will own the end-to-end trade lifecycle for Nearwater’s MiFID Regulated European business, with a primary focus on Total Return Swaps (TRS) and equity-linked financing. You will be the senior operational point of contact for clients, counterparties, and internal stakeholders across Origination, Trading, Middle Office, Finance, and Technology, setting standards, mentoring junior team members, and driving the build-out of scalable processes and controls as the Dublin office continues to grow.

What You’ll Do

Own the trade lifecycle

• Own the end-to-end operational lifecycle for TRS and equity-linked products, including resets, dividends, corporate actions, financing legs, collateral, and unwinds
• Act as subject matter expert on TRS documentation (ISDA/CSA), margin and collateral workflows, and equity swap mechanics
• Oversee end-to-end operational processes for Repo transactions and LSTA/LMA loans alongside the core TRS book
• Investigate and resolve reconciliation items, ensuring completeness and accuracy of books and records
• Escalate settlement fails, outstanding margin calls, and disputes in a timely and transparent manner
• Manage the daily operations controls and the End of Day process

Build best-in-class processes

• Drive the operational target operating model, process design, automation, vendor selection, and build-out of the Dublin function
• Maintain a strong control mindset, continuously monitoring processes and escalating potential issues
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards in relation to derivative transactions

Partner across the firm and externally

• Serve as the senior operational point of contact for client queries, ensuring timely, accurate resolution and a high-quality client experience
• Partner with Origination and Trading on new product and new client onboarding, including legal, tax, and operational readiness for TRS structures
• Consult directly with our Custodian and Prime Broker on all related matters
• Represent Operations in governance forums and senior management reviews; own KPI / KRI reporting to leadership
• Provide partnership with colleagues in our New York, Toronto and London offices

Lead and develop the team

• Lead and mentor operations staff in Dublin, set standards for controls, escalation, and client service

What We’re Looking For

Experience and expertise

• 8–10+ years of experience in operations, middle-office, or trade support, with meaningful time spent on TRS and Equity Swap products at a bank, prime broker, hedge fund, or similar firms
• Deep, demonstrable expertise in the TRS lifecycle, resets, dividend pass-throughs, corporate actions, financing accruals, collateral / IM / VM, and termination mechanics
• Expert-level knowledge of TRS and equity swaps; working knowledge of Repo and LSTA/LMA loan products
• Working knowledge of ISDA Master Agreements, CSAs, and confirmation processes for equity TRS
• Prior experience leading or mentoring an operations team, or owning a product vertical end-to-end
• Track record of process re-engineering, control build, and partnering with Technology on operational tooling
• Strong experience with reconciliation processes, trade lifecycle management, and exposure/margin workflows
• Hands-on experience with Cash and Equity Swaps, Loans Administration, and EMIR / MiFID reporting required
• Demonstratable experience working in a MiFID investment firm
• Strong knowledge of financial markets and industry technology including AcadiaSoft, ClearPar, GLAS, and Bloomberg
• Proactive, initiative-taking individual who can effectively manage multiple priorities and lead through ambiguity
• Ability to thrive in a structured, high-volume, high-risk, time-sensitive, and demanding environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with confidence in hosting and leading client and counterparty calls
• Strong technical aptitude, including high proficiency with advanced Excel and the ability to adopt new systems and tools
• Capable of collaborating effectively within a team and excelling when working independently

How You Work

• You take ownership and operate with a strong control mindset
• You're detail-oriented and accurate, with a high bar for books and records
• You're proactive and initiative-taking, comfortable managing multiple priorities and leading through ambiguity
• You collaborate effectively within a team and excel when working independently
• You communicate clearly with clients, counterparties, and internal stakeholders at all levels
• You thrive in a structured, high-volume, high-risk, time-sensitive, and demanding environment

What You’ll Get

• Opportunity to shape the Dublin operations function from a position of senior influence, with a direct line to firm leadership in New York and London
• Joining a firm in the early stage of its evolution in Dublin, with meaningful impact on the company’s growth and customer success
• A platform to step into broader operational leadership as the Dublin office scales
• Inclusive workplace that values diversity and ensures everyone has a voice
• Collaborative, supportive culture where new ideas are encouraged and contributions are recognised
• Exposure to complex, high-impact work, giving you hands-on experience across the wider Dublin teams (Risk, Finance, and Trading) that you simply don’t get in larger organisations
• A fast-moving, intellectually challenging environment where continuous learning is part of everyday life
• A collaborative culture where we work hard, support each other, and enjoy what we do
• A competitive compensation and benefits package designed to reward your contribution and growth

Nearwater is expanding its business in Europe and has established an office in Dublin. Nearwater Capital Markets Europe (NCME) is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) as a MiFID investment firm.