Operational Risk Analyst

We are seeking an Operational Risk Analyst to join the Optiver Operational Risk Management team.

In this role, you will be responsible for monitoring risk, scaling operational controls, and continuously enhancing our risk and control frameworks through the use of advanced analytics and AI tooling. Leveraging real-time data, you’ll analyze incidents at the source, identify emerging patterns, and proactively drive improvements to ensure resilient, data-informed decision-making.

You will operate on the trading floor in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, engaging with stakeholders across the firm. This includes regular collaboration with Trading, Technology, Data Science, and Risk & Control teams, as well as frequent interaction with senior leadership. The role is primarily focused on supporting the U.S. business, while contributing to the development of global risk capabilities in partnership with colleagues in Europe and APAC.

What you’ll do:

• Coordinate, review, and thoughtfully assess reporting on second-line activities related to the control framework, providing constructive feedback where needed.
• Conduct control assurance and risk-based assessments of key business and technology processes.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the business, helping teams understand and manage operational risk effectively.
• Lead and support incident reviews, including trend analysis and follow-up actions.
• Perform risk assessments to identify emerging risks and evaluate mitigation measures.
• Deliver periodic management reporting.
• Industry experience in market making, algorithmic trading, or proprietary trading is strongly preferred, along with relevant familiarity with industry-specific regulatory frameworks.

What you’ll get:

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.

In addition, you’ll receive:

• The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries.
• A highly competitive compensation package.
• Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure.
• 401(k) match up to 50%.
• Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage.
• 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays.
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more.

Who you are:

• 2+ years of experience in Operational Risk, Internal Audit, Compliance, or a related second-line role.
• A background in financial services or trading environments, with a basic knowledge of financial markets and products.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Experience with the U.S. regulatory environment (e.g., FINRA, SEC).
• A mindset geared toward continuous improvement, with high standards for personal performance.
• Prior experience in the trading industry is required—such as market making, algorithmic trading, or proprietary trading.
• Strong understanding of industry regulatory frameworks, such as those relevant to trading firms, exchanges, and financial markets.
• Proven ability to navigate compliance standards and apply regulatory knowledge in a fast-paced trading environment.
• Familiarity with operational and risk considerations unique to trading firms.
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a STEM field, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.

Who we are:

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilizing the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritize safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.