Job Description

OVERALL SUMMARY

To support the Settlements Manager in the accurate and efficient execution of all day-to-day settlement processes, with a particular focus on UK equity settlements via CREST. The role ensures all trades, reconciliations, and client asset activities are completed in line with regulatory standards, internal controls, and operational deadlines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure all trades are matched and settled accurately and on time through CREST and other settlement systems. Maintain and manage both client and internal Standard Settlement Instructions (SSIs). Process client and proprietary transactions, including Buy-Backs, manual trades and fund orders, ensuring correct P&L postings and supporting documentation. Manage custody positions to achieve timely settlement and process all contract notes for fund trades on the date of receipt. Oversee the accurate processing of Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) and ensure all non-electronic settlements are completed efficiently. Complete all stock, cash and fund reconciliations, ensuring alignment with internal systems such as SPARK. Produce timely and accurate Management Information (MI), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) for internal reporting. Ensure all settlement agent invoices are reconciled and properly authorised. Maintain accurate records of certificates and ensure periodic reconciliation. Monitor and resolve failing trades, ensuring prompt escalation and accurate notes within SPARK. Manage realignment of stock and monitor potential Buy-Ins to mitigate settlement risk. Respond to internal and external audit requests as required. Ensure full adherence to FCA regulations, company compliance standards and IT security policies. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and control across settlement processes. Work closely with the Client Service team to respond to client queries promptly and accurately. Ensure commission and trade confirmations are processed in accordance with client requirements. Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure smooth settlement operations. Maintain up-to-date awareness of market, regulatory and system changes impacting settlements. Maintain the Settlements Confluence page, ensuring all documentation is accurate and current. Assist the Settlements Manager in preparing materials for client meetings and audits. Contribute to the continuous improvement of systems, processes and controls within the Settlements function.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF:

You have a strong working knowledge of CREST and UK equity settlement processes. You have proven experience within a settlements, operations or back-office function at a financial institution, broker or custodian. You have excellent attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills. You understand trade life cycles, reconciliations and settlement risk management. You are proficient with Microsoft Excel and operational systems such as SPARK or equivalent. You are proactive, accountable and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL BUT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU:

Experience with fund settlements, Buy-Backs or corporate actions. Understanding of FCA regulatory requirements around Client Money and Assets (CASS). Experience producing MI, KPI and KRI reporting. Exposure to automation, process improvement or system enhancement projects. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with a collaborative approach.

Benefits

Competitive salary inclusive of discretionary annual bonus & annual pay review Work Abroad Policy for up to 15 days per year 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional well-being day Option to purchase an additional 5 days holiday per year Flexible working options available, including hybrid working Pension scheme up to 10% employer contribution Sharesave scheme Income Protection & Life insurance (4 x salary core level of cover) Private health care via BUPA Employee Assistance Programme Discounted Gym Membership Variety of travel to work schemes

At Close Brothers we look to recruit individuals from all different backgrounds and encourage you to apply even if you don't tick every box. We celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity and are open to discuss flexible work options to help you balance your work and home life.

We appreciate that from time to time, recruitment agencies will have speculative CVs that they may wish to submit to our Talent Acquisition team in relation to a specific role.

To avoid any ambiguity around fees, please note that speculative CVs received by Close Brothers, that have not been authorised in advance, by us, will be ineligible for an agency fee. Thank you.


Winterflood Business Services (WBS) is a business to business (B2B) platform provider whose award-winning service has seen us grow to over 15bn AUA with an expanding client list. Our highly skilled and experienced team is dedicated to providing the standards our clients rightly demand.


Our aim is to help solve client problems and ease their regulatory and administrative burden with secure, integrated, and bespoke end-to-end solutions to achieve their investment objectives. Execution quality and excellent service are at the core of our business, all set out in our service level agreements for full transparency.


The WBS service is provided through our EOS platform, which is a proprietary system developed by our in-house development team. EOS is built using the latest technologies and is based on micro-service architecture, making the platform easy to scale and deploy new functionality. We are also market innovators, capable of recognising unfilled needs and developing products to suit our customers' needs and changing regulatory requirements.


We became a separate division of Winterflood Securities in 2010, in response to demand from clients who were looking for 'whole of market access and 'custody services'. Our strategy remains to continue to invest in people, process, and technology to allow us to scale for the growth in our existing business, as well as taking on new clients