Middle Office Specialist (Trade Support) - Asia

Middle Office Specialist (Trade Support) - Asia

We are seeking a Middle Office Specialist based in Asia to support a US hedge fund's global multi-asset trading, additionally with knowledge of China onshore and offshore cross-asset class access. The role is responsible for accurate, same-day trade capture, allocations, confirmations and reconciliations across Asia products including cash equities, equity swaps, futures, options, FX, bonds and OTC derivatives, while closely supporting trading in China via Stock Connect, QFII/QFI, CIBM and other access schemes. You will act as a key contact for Portfolio Managers, Traders, brokers and custodians, resolving trade, position and pricing issues, supporting regulatory and transaction reporting, and driving process and control enhancements. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years of Middle Office/Trade Support experience at a hedge fund, asset manager or investment bank, strong understanding of trade lifecycle, hands-on experience with China markets, solid systems/Excel skills and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Principal Responsibilities

Core Middle Office & Trade Support

• Monitor intraday trading activity across all Fixed Income and Equities instruments, with a particular focus on China A-shares and related derivatives, ensuring accurate and complete trade capture on trade date.
• Establish and refine procedures for accurate Trade Capture and allocation across products and regions in conjunction with Risk, Technology, and Trading, ensuring alignment with US head office standards and local market practices.
• Ensure accurate and timely trade affirmation, confirmation, and matching across multiple asset classes on trade date (T+0), including via CTM, MarkitWire, broker platforms, and local market utilities.
• Act as a central point of contact for Portfolio Managers and Trading teams to resolve any position, pricing, booking, technology, risk, and security master data issues.
• Investigate and resolve trade breaks (economic, booking, and confirmation discrepancies) by liaising with internal stakeholders (Trading, Risk, Finance, Technology, Compliance) and external counterparties (brokers, custodians, prime brokers).
• Perform daily position and P&L reconciliations versus prime brokers, custodians, and internal books; promptly reconcile and escalate discrepancies.
• Support end-of-day close processes, including validation of trade feeds, position integrity checks, and hand-off to P&L/Valuations and Risk.

China Onshore / Offshore Equities & Market Access

• Support front office trading in China A-shares and related securities via QFII/QFI, Stock Connect, and other China market access schemes; ensure compliance with local trading, quota, and settlement rules.
• Coordinate and monitor pre-trade checks and post-trade controls specific to China markets, including quota usage, daily limits, and market-specific constraints (e.g., price limits, short-sell restrictions).
• Oversee trade lifecycle for China onshore equities, including order capture, execution, allocation, booking, confirmation, settlement, and corporate action processing, in close collaboration with custodians and onshore brokers.
• Manage operational touchpoints with key infrastructure providers in China (e.g., local brokers, custodians, exchanges, clearing houses) and ensure timely resolution of market-specific operational issues.
• Maintain working knowledge of China market rules, regulatory changes, exchange requirements, and operational market practices, and translate these into updated procedures and controls.
• Partner with Compliance and Legal to ensure that all China onshore and offshore trading activity follows relevant local regulations, license conditions, and reporting requirements.

Process Improvement & Projects

• Partner with Technology to define requirements and test enhancements for trading and middle office systems, especially for Asia/China-specific connectivity and workflows (e.g., new brokers, new access schemes, regulatory changes).
• Analyze existing processes and workflows, identify inefficiencies or control gaps, and design and implement improvements to enhance accuracy, efficiency, scalability, and control.
• Participate in and help lead regional and global projects, including system migrations, new product launches, market access expansions, and regulatory change initiatives.
• Contribute to creation and maintenance of SOPs, runbooks, and training materials for Asia-based and global Middle Office teams.

Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Build strong working relationships with front office (Portfolio Managers, Traders), Risk, P&L/Valuations, Operations, Technology, Compliance, and Legal teams in both Asia and the US.
• Liaise regularly with prime brokers, executing brokers, custodians, vendors, and other external partners to resolve day-to-day issues and to improve overall service and processes.
• Communicate clearly and proactively regarding operational risks, incidents, and process changes, ensuring appropriate escalation and follow-up.

Qualifications / Skills Required

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in Middle Office, Trade Support, or Trading Assistant roles at a hedge fund, asset manager, investment bank, or broker-dealer.
• Strong preference for candidates with hands-on experience supporting China equity markets and access-related trading, including but not limited to:
  • Offshore China market access: Stock Connect (Northbound/Southbound), CIBM, other connect schemes.
  • Onshore market access: QFII/QFI or equivalent programs, and operational experience with onshore brokers and custodians.

Technical & Market Skills

• Understanding of Asia / China market structure, local trading and settlement conventions, corporate actions, and regulatory reporting frameworks is strongly preferred.
• Experience with at least one of the following systems: MarkitWire, CTM, Murex, Imagine, Bloomberg, Refinitiv/Reuters, or similar OMS/EMS and middle office platforms.
• Strong Excel skills (e.g., advanced formulas, pivot tables); ability to handle large data sets and perform reconciliations efficiently.
• Familiarity with FIX messaging and electronic trading workflows is a plus.

Personal Attributes

• Detail-oriented with demonstrable thoroughness and strong ownership of work; takes accountability for accuracy and completeness.
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to work collaboratively with cross-functional and cross-border teams and to build strong working relationships.
• Good team player with a strong willingness to participate and help others; demonstrates leadership qualities and an entrepreneurial mindset in a growing platform.
• Quick learner with the ability to grasp new products, markets, and processes rapidly, especially in a changing regulatory and market environment in China.
• Analytical and strategic thinker with a strong desire to learn; diligent and committed to continuous improvement in processes, controls, and client service.
• High ethical standards and strong risk-awareness, with a proactive approach to identifying, escalating, and mitigating operational risks.