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Trading Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

... trading operations and the technology that supports our traders. Job Responsibilities: * Monitoring and managing trading platforms across multiple markets * Monitoring and supporting Linux ...

Trading Specialist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$82 - $97/hr

... Trading Operations desk! You'll support daily risk management activities, resolve customer ... impacting escalations, push cross asset operational automation with teams across Robinhood to ...

... trading operations and the technology that supports our traders. Job Responsibilities: * Monitoring and managing trading platforms across multiple markets * Monitoring and supporting Linux ...

... trading operations and the technology that supports our traders. Job Responsibilities: * Monitoring and managing trading platforms across multiple markets * Monitoring and supporting Linux ...

Senior Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150 - $170/hr

Maintains detailed knowledge of technology and systems that support trading operations (i.e. Ridgeline or other order management systems and Bloomberg EMSX. * Strong knowledge and experience trading ...

Senior Trader

Chicago, IL · Remote

$150K - $170K/yr

Maintains detailed knowledge of technology and systems that support trading operations (i.e. Ridgeline or other order management systems and Bloomberg EMSX. * Strong knowledge and experience trading ...

Trade Support Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$87.50 - $145/hr

... trading operations, working shoulder-to-shoulder with traders, developers, and quantitative ... Ability to manage shifting priorities in a fast‑moving environment. * Ability to work on‑site ...

Trade Support Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$145K - $177K/yr

... trading operations, working shoulder-to-shoulder with traders, developers, and quantitative ... Ability to manage shifting priorities in a fast-moving environment. * Ability to work on-site in ...

Hightower's capital solutions, operational support services, size and scale empower its vibrant ... What You'll Do Trade Execution and Management * Execute and oversee fixed income trades across ...

Trade Support Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$145K - $177K/yr

... trading operations, working shoulder-to-shoulder with traders, developers, and quantitative ... Ability to manage shifting priorities in a fast-moving environment. * Ability to work on-site in ...

Showing results 21-40

Trading Operations Manager information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$31.9K

$65.4K

$122.1K

How much do trading operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for trading operations manager in Chicago, IL is $65,369.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,200.00 and $79,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a trading operations manager do?

A Trading Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day activities related to trade execution, settlement, and reconciliation in financial markets. They ensure that all trades are processed accurately and efficiently, while also managing operational risks and ensuring compliance with regulations. Their role often includes coordinating with traders, back-office teams, and technology staff to resolve any trade discrepancies or issues. Additionally, they may be responsible for implementing process improvements and supporting new trading initiatives within the organization.

What are the primary challenges trading operations managers face when supporting fast-paced trading environments?

Trading Operations Managers often work in high-pressure settings where accurate and timely trade settlements are critical. A key challenge is ensuring that all trades are processed correctly and reconciled promptly, as errors can have significant financial and regulatory consequences. Additionally, they must quickly resolve discrepancies, coordinate with traders and back-office teams, and adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. Proactive communication and strong problem-solving skills are essential for success in this dynamic environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trading operations manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Trading Operations Manager, you need a solid understanding of financial markets, trade lifecycle management, and strong analytical skills, typically supported by a degree in finance, economics, or a related field. Familiarity with trading platforms, order management systems (OMS), and regulatory compliance tools is essential, and certifications like CFA or FRM can be advantageous. Exceptional attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help manage risk and ensure smooth cross-team coordination. These skills and qualities are crucial to minimize operational errors, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain the efficiency and integrity of trading activities.

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

AspectTrading Operations ManagerTrading Analyst
ResponsibilitiesOversees trading processes, manages teams, ensures compliance, and optimizes operations.Analyzes market data, supports trading strategies, and provides reports for decision-making.
Required SkillsStrong leadership, operational knowledge, risk management, and communication skills.Analytical skills, market knowledge, data analysis, and reporting abilities.
CertificationsTypically CFA, FRM, or similar certifications preferred.Often holds CFA or similar certifications, but less managerial focus.
Work EnvironmentFinancial firms, trading floors, or investment banks.Research departments, trading desks, or financial analysis teams.

The Trading Operations Manager focuses on managing trading processes and teams, ensuring smooth operations and compliance. In contrast, the Trading Analyst primarily analyzes market data and supports trading strategies. Both roles often require similar certifications like CFA and work within financial institutions, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What is a trading operations manager?

A trading operations manager oversees the daily activities of trading desks, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing trade execution processes, and coordinating between traders, risk management, and technology teams. They often require strong analytical skills, knowledge of trading platforms, and familiarity with financial regulations to optimize trading efficiency and reduce operational risks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Trading Operations jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Trading Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Trading Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Trading Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Trading Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Trading Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Trading Operations Manager jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Trading Operations Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Trading Operations Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,369 per year, or $31.4 per hour.

Director of Trading & Platform Operations

Topstep

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Summary
The Director of Trading & Platform Operations oversees the daily execution of high-stakes, real-time activities across the Trade Desk and Platform Support Desk, ensuring operations are efficient, compliant, and scalable. This role provides front-line supervisory oversight over live market risk and the proprietary platform customer experience. By driving process improvement and strengthening cross-departmental communication, this leader ensures consistent, high-quality service under NFA and CFTC standards.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee Daily Trading & Desk Operations
  • Drive real-time execution for the Trade Desk and Platform Support Desk, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant service delivery.
  • Drive operational efficiency across critical retail client workflows, including payment processing (failed cards/Cosmos), user funding/withdrawals, and KYC/onboarding documentation approvals.
  • Manage high-volume client escalation queues and enforce standard operating procedures for dynamic customer communications.
  • Maintain a consistent operational rhythm through fast-paced issue resolution, coverage schedules, and escalation tracking.
  • Identify process bottlenecks and recommend technology or workflow improvements to increase execution speed and efficiency.

Platform & System Management
  • Act as the primary operational owner for the proprietary trading platform's customer support experience and technical queues.
  • Partner directly with Engineering, Product, and Technology teams to triage, escalate, and resolve proprietary platform bugs, outages, and system errors affecting users.
  • Provide operational input into enterprise-level initiatives, prioritizing platform scalability, automation, and user experience enhancements.

Risk & Controls
  • Act as the ultimate operational escalation point for real-time trading issues, complex execution concerns, and automated or manual liquidations.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Risk to monitor and enforce margin, liquidation, and order-rejection parameters.
  • Maintain contingency and communication plans for platform outages, margin changes, and wide-scale issues (WSIs).
  • Participate in post-incident reviews and recommend rapid process or control improvements to prevent recurrence.

Supervision & Compliance
  • Ensure rigorous adherence to NFA and CFTC operational and record-keeping standards (e.g., CFTC Rule 1.31 retention requirements).
  • Escalate supervisory issues, customer complaints, and trading exceptions appropriately.
  • Assist the Head of Brokerage with audits, evidence packs, and regulatory reviews.

Strategic & FCM Support
  • Execute daily operational processes involving FCM and clearing partners (e.g., Plus500), including margin updates, trade-error resolution, and workflow coordination.
  • Implement FCM-directed process or system changes that directly impact live Trade and Support Desk operations.
  • Maintain clear, authoritative communication channels with FCM counterparts; escalate exceptions or service issues as needed.
  • Support the testing and rollout of FCM-provided tools and reporting enhancements, ensuring all workflows are properly documented, auditable, and compliant.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Collaborate with Compliance, Risk, Technology, Marketing, Product, and Finance teams to align procedures, ensure data integrity, and continuously enhance the overall trader experience.
  • Work closely with the Back Office and New Accounts Directors to deliver a seamless end-to-end customer experience from onboarding through active account servicing.
  • Participate in organization-wide readiness programs, including Information Systems Security Program (ISSP), Third-Party Service Provider (TPSP), and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) testing.

Organizational Management
  • Manage, mentor, and develop Trade Desk and Platform Specialist staff to ensure professionalism, technical proficiency, and high-pressure readiness.
  • Conduct performance reviews and reinforce rigorous compliance, service, and quality standards.
  • Lead onboarding, training, and continuing-education programs for all operations personnel.
  • Support workforce planning, staffing schedules, and provide input into annual resource and budget forecasts.

Required Qualifications and Key Competencies
  • Series 3 license required; Series 30 license is preferred or willingness to obtain.
  • Minimum 7 years of trading operations, brokerage, or platform support experience within an NFA/CFTC-regulated environment.
  • Proven leadership running live Trade Desks, Platform Support, or high-volume FinTech Operations teams.
  • Experience partnering with a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) to support trading operations, regulatory requirements, and day-to-day brokerage processes.
  • Strong working knowledge of regulatory frameworks, live-market risk management, and supervisory practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to implement scalable operational processes and lead cross-functional teams that bridge technology and finance.
  • Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills with a focus on accountability, problem-solving, and fast-paced execution.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field is preferred.

Company Culture & Perks
  • Topstep is an engaging working environment which ranges from fully remote to hybrid. We foster a culture of collaboration with cameras on during meetings and a robust Slack environment for communication.
  • Seven Company-paid Holidays and generous Family Leave. Paid time off is front-loaded.
  • Competitive 401(k) matching, health, dental, and vision insurance is offered for full time employees.
  • Vacations are encouraged with a bonus for taking 5 consecutive days. Employee referrals are bonused. Topstep offers a food and groceries budget and contributes towards health and wellness.

New Hire Base Salary Range
  • $170,000 - $210,000.
  • Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
  • The compensation offered will take into account internal compensation structure and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Topstep is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees and applicants are valued. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Interested in the role? Apply today with your resume!
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Notice of Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment and Hiring: Notice Pursuant to 775 ILCS 5/2-102(L). Topstep LLC uses artificial intelligence ("AI") in connection with its recruitment and hiring process. Examples include, but are not limited to, AI tools used to improve job descriptions, generate interview questions, draft communications, assist with scheduling, and source candidates, as well as AI features built into third-party platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Topstep will not use AI that has the effect of subjecting employees or applicants to discrimination on the basis of any protected class under the Illinois Human Rights Act.
The collection, use, and handling of your data provided in response to this job posting is described further in our Privacy Policy. If you are a California resident, please review our California Notice at Collection.