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Trading Operations Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

... operations on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Although knowledge of the options industry is an ... Trading Analysts will be employed as option floor associates and receive a guaranteed salary during ...

Client Operations Analyst

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$68K - $77K/yr

Review and approve contracts prepared by the Client Operations Associate * Send new client ... Implement trading instructions for ETFs, Mutual Funds and Stocks * Coordinate with investment ...

Quantitative Trader

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$150 - $200/hr

... operation, and improvement of high-performance algorithmic trading strategies deployed on electronic trading venues around the world. During an intensive period of mentorship and training in trade ...

New

Lead, Financial Operations

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$156K/yr

As an industry-leading trading platform and futures broker, we're empowering traders to take ... Directly manage, coach, and develop a team of Financial Operations Associates, establishing clear ...

Showing results 41-60

Trading Operations Associate information

See Illinois salary details

$10

$25

$51

How much do trading operations associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for trading operations associate in Illinois is $25.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.26 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a trading operations associate?

Trading Operations Associates are professionals who support the daily activities of trading desks at financial institutions. Their key responsibilities include trade settlement, trade confirmation, reconciliation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. They act as a bridge between traders, back-office teams, and external parties to ensure transactions are processed smoothly and efficiently. Attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work under pressure are essential for this role. This position offers valuable exposure to financial markets and is often a stepping stone to more advanced roles in finance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trading operations associate?

To thrive as a Trading Operations Associate, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of financial markets, typically supported by a degree in finance, economics, or a related field. Familiarity with trading platforms, order management systems (OMS), and proficiency in Excel or other data analysis tools are commonly required, and certifications like FINRA Series 7 or 63 may be advantageous. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and time-management skills help you excel under pressure and work effectively with traders, clients, and back-office teams. These skills ensure accurate trade processing, risk mitigation, and smooth market operations in a high-stakes environment.

What are some common challenges faced by trading operations associates in supporting trade settlements and how are they addressed?

Trading Operations Associates often encounter challenges such as resolving trade discrepancies, ensuring timely settlement of trades, and managing high volumes of transactions under tight deadlines. Addressing these issues requires strong attention to detail, effective communication with counterparties and internal teams, and the ability to quickly troubleshoot and escalate problems when necessary. Many firms provide comprehensive training and utilize advanced reconciliation tools to help associates efficiently identify and resolve breaks, ensuring smooth trade lifecycle management.

What is the difference between Trading Operations Associate vs Trading Analyst?

AspectTrading Operations AssociateTrading Analyst
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or related field; certifications like CFA are a plus but not mandatorySimilar credentials; often holds a bachelor's degree, with some roles preferring CFA or related certifications
Work EnvironmentSupports trading desks by handling operational tasks, trade settlements, and compliance; fast-paced, team-orientedFocuses on analyzing trading data, market trends, and performance; analytical and research-driven
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in investment banks, asset management firms, and trading housesFound in financial institutions, hedge funds, and asset managers

While both roles require a finance background and involve working within trading environments, the Trading Operations Associate primarily manages operational tasks and trade support, whereas the Trading Analyst focuses on analyzing market data and trading performance. They often work closely but serve different functions within trading teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Trading Operations jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Trading Operations jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Trading Operations Associate jobs in Illinois?

For Trading Operations Associate jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Trading Operations Associate jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Trading Operations Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Trading Operations Associate job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,897 per year, or $25.4 per hour.

Senior Associate - GTO Middle Office - PnL & Valuation

DRW

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

DRW is a diversified trading firm with over 3 decades of experience bringing sophisticated technology and exceptional people together to operate in markets around the world. We value autonomy and the ability to quickly pivot to capture opportunities, so we operate using our own capital and trading at our own risk.
Headquartered in Chicago with offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, we trade a variety of asset classes including Fixed Income, ETFs, Equities, FX, Commodities and Energy across all major global markets. We have also leveraged our expertise and technology to expand into three non-traditional strategies: real estate, venture capital and cryptoassets.
We operate with respect, curiosity and open minds. The people who thrive here share our belief that it's not just what we do that matters-it's how we do it. DRW is a place of high expectations, integrity, innovation and a willingness to challenge consensus.
As a Senior Associate - GTO Middle Office - PnL & Valuation, you will join our Global Trading Operations team and provide dedicated support to DRW's trading desks. Primary responsibilities will include reconciliation, profit-and-loss calculation and analysis, which require communication with both front office traders and back-office colleagues, as well as with senior management in both departments. Highly effective communication skills are critical as you will also have regular, direct interaction with a variety of other teams across the firm, including risk management, technology, and the firm's partnership. The ability to work in a stressful environment while maintaining a high degree of professionalism is paramount.
What you'll do in this role:
  • Provide ownership for and mastery of the processes and workflows needed to support standard operational functions of the firm's trading desks
  • Daily P&L calculation and substantiation: while supporting each desk's preferred method of aggregating and reporting P&L, ensure that such workflow conforms to and integrates with DRW's standards
  • Gain mastery of the firm's proprietary and third-party trade capture, inventory management, and P&L reporting systems necessary to support the desks' activity
  • Act as process super-user for current workflows and systems, resolving issues that may arise between internal groups at DRW and multiple external exchanges, clearers, and counterparties; provide critical support and advice regarding needed enhancements to technology, workflows, and processes
  • Develop strong understanding of traders' individual risk management tools and support of related traders' needs
  • Upgrade and support traders' tools to take advantage of technologies and tools that are firm standard
  • Liaise with technical personnel to secure proper support/coverage for ongoing operations and implement enhanced workflows, with a focus on process efficiency, risk reduction, and alignment with DRW standards
  • Work closely with Business Liaison team to assure new desks, traders, and products are on-boarded correctly

You'll be right at home if you have:
  • 3+ years of experience in middle or back office with strong knowledge and expertise in derivative valuations
  • The ability to navigate and analyze P&L across various asset types
  • Prior interaction with front office and senior management teams in an active trading environment preferred
  • Ability to work with databases, and utilize data from APIs preferred
  • Strong MS Excel skills, including VBA experience
  • Python coding skills preferred but not required
  • Bachelor's degree in finance, economics or material equivalent exposure
  • Demonstrated ability to independently and quickly solve problems
  • Able to perform repeatable tasks with consistent results
  • Able to handle sensitive financial data appropriately

The annual base salary range for this position is $110,000 to $125,000 depending on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and relevant skill set. The position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, DRW offers a comprehensive suite of employee benefits including group medical, pharmacy, dental and vision insurance, 401k (with discretionary employer match), short and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.
For more information about DRW's processing activities and our use of job applicants' data, please view our Privacy Notice at https://drw.com/privacy-notice.
California residents, please review the California Privacy Notice for information about certain legal rights at https://drw.com/california-privacy-notice.
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