Associate, Derivatives Operations

The Opportunity

The Associate, Derivatives Operations will be a key member of Nearwater Capital’s Operations team, supporting the firm’s Capital Markets business with a primary focus on the regulated swap business (SBSD).

This role is critical to maintaining the integrity of trade lifecycle operations across OTC derivatives, equity, fixed income, and commercial paper products. You will work closely with internal trading desks, the Risk team, Finance, Compliance, counterparties, and custodians to ensure that all operational activities are accurately executed and controlled.

You will serve as a main point of contact for operational inquiries, performing reconciliations, managing settlements, and driving improvements to workflows and controls across the front-to-back operating model.

What You’ll Do

Manage trade lifecycle and settlements

• Provide complete lifecycle management support for Total Return Swap, Equity, Fixed Income, Commercial Paper and Sec Lending transactions.
• Manage trade settlements with a focus on Total Return Swaps (TRS) and Repurchase Transactions (repos), including trade confirmation, broker and custodian communication, reconciliation, cash flow settlement, and issue resolution.
• Ensure proper booking, reconciliation, and settlements of corporate actions and income events (dividends).
• Handle trade capture, allocation, settlement, and exception management across swaps and cash hedge securities.

Oversee collateral management and reconciliation

• Collateral management for entire lifecycle of OTC derivatives: calculate exposure, exchange initial and variation margin (IM/VM), handle dispute resolution, and agreement management/onboarding in Acadia.
• Oversee trade, position, and cash reconciliations across custody, administrator, and prime broker accounts.
• Conduct control reconciliations to ensure booking accuracy between internal systems and external records.
• Liaise with Risk teams to address open exposures, settlement fails, and margin disputes.

Support reporting and cross-functional collaboration

• Provide monthly metrics reporting to Compliance, (SEC), Finance (13F and Focus filings), Risk, and Management.
• Drive operational improvements by identifying and suggesting process enhancements, automation opportunities, and control refinements.
• Participate in firmwide and departmental projects aimed at streamlining workflows and reducing operational risk.
• Partner with Technology teams to enhance system functionality, implement data validation checks, and support workflow digitization.

What We’re Looking For

• 3 years of direct experience in a financial services organization, structured finance, or Prime Brokerage middle office performing derivatives operations activities.
• Operational Expertise: demonstrate considerable understanding of key operational functions such as Settlements, Trade Lifecycle Management, Margin, Reconciliations, Trade Support, and Corporate Actions across Global Markets.
• Product Knowledge: demonstrate high-level knowledge and understanding of the Cash Equity and Equity Total Return Swap product. A general knowledge of Equities/Fixed Income/Securities Lending/Derivatives is highly desirable. Knowledge of Commercial Paper is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of financial markets, trade lifecycle and industry technology (Acadia, Cassini, BNY Nexen, TriResolve, Bloomberg). Experience with Enfusion is a plus.
• Advanced Excel and experience with data-analysis or automation tools (e.g., Alteryx, Python, SQL, VBA, Power BI, Claude AI/co-work) to improve reporting accuracy and efficiency.
• Experience partnering with Technology teams to enhance system functionality, implement data validation checks, and support workflow digitization.
• Excellent organizational skills and superior problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

How You Work

• You bring rigor and attention to detail to every transaction, reconciliation, and control.
• You are proactive in identifying operational risks, breaks, and process improvements before they escalate.
• You collaborate effectively with trading desks, counterparties, risk teams, and technology stakeholders.
• You communicate clearly and credibly with both internal teams and external parties.
• You embrace automation and data-driven tools to enhance operational oversight and reporting.
• You thrive in a fast-paced, structured environment and hold yourself accountable for accuracy and timeliness.

What You’ll Get

• Exposure to complex OTC derivative products, structured finance transactions, and global capital markets operations, providing deep insight into front-to-back workflows.
• The opportunity to collaborate closely with trading desks, Risk, Finance, Compliance, Technology, and external counterparties, building a strong cross-functional network.
• Ownership of high-impact operational functions that directly affect trade accuracy, collateral integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• The ability to implement and refine automated, data-driven tools and workflows that enhance efficiency and reduce operational risk.
• A fast-paced, intellectually stimulating environment where each day presents new challenges and learning opportunities.

Who We Are

Nearwater Capital is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty finance company headquartered in New York City with a global presence and client base. Established in 2017, Nearwater has distinguished itself as a leader in delivering thoughtful, solutions-based financing to some of the largest financial institutions and financial services firms in the world.

Nearwater offers an attractive market compensation and benefits package. As a creative, intellectual capital firm, Nearwater is proud to be 100% work from office.