Operational Risk Analyst

Optiver is hiring an Operational Risk Analyst in Sydney to strengthen second-line oversight across our APAC business. You will work with Trading, Technology and other teams to identify operational risk, challenge control weaknesses, review incidents and help first-line teams use risk data more effectively.

This is a role with real exposure. You will support a fast, automated trading business and help improve how we define risk appetite, monitor risk indicators and escalate issues that fall outside tolerance. You will also use data analytics and AI to strengthen operational risk management as the business grows.

Optiver is a global market maker founded in Amsterdam, with offices in London, Chicago, Austin, New York, Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei and Mumbai. Established in 1986, today we are a leading liquidity provider, with close to 2,000 employees in offices around the world, united in our commitment to improve the market through competitive pricing, execution and risk management. By providing liquidity on multiple exchanges across the world in various financial instruments, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets. We provide liquidity to financial markets using our own capital, at our own risk, trading a wide range of products: listed derivatives, cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign currencies.

Optiver’s Sydney office is one of the primary players in Asian markets, trading a range of products. Established in 1996, we're an active participant on multiple APAC exchanges, and act as Optiver’s APAC head office.

You will help improve our risk and control framework across APAC. That includes stronger risk identification, clearer escalation, better incident review and more disciplined remediation.

• review operational incidents and near misses, identify themes and track follow-up actions

• challenge incident reporting, escalation and remediation where risk sits outside agreed appetite

• analyse operational data to spot patterns, emerging risks and weak signals across trading and technology

• support control assurance work across APAC, ensuring reviews are fit for purpose, key controls are tested in depth and control owners deliver on agreed actions

• help turn risk appetite into practical indicators, thresholds and escalation criteria

• produce clear reporting and dashboards for first-line teams and senior management

• partner with Trading and Technology to embed controls and risk signals into processes and automated systems, reducing manual effort and improving early detection

• while based in Sydney and focused on APAC, work with stakeholders across offices to improve operational risk practices globally

You should have a strong analytical and technical foundation, sound judgment and the confidence to challenge constructively.

We are looking for someone with:

• 3+ years of experience in operational risk, audit or a related risk role

• exposure to trading, market infrastructure or technology risk in financial services

• a degree in finance, economics, STEM, business, accounting, risk or a similar field

• the ability to build strong relationships, influence stakeholders and challenge the status quo constructively

• strong problem-solving skills and a practical approach to controls and risk management

• the ability to work with data and turn analysis into clear conclusions

• the judgment to form views in a fast-moving environment, often with incomplete information

• strong written and verbal communication skills

• attention to detail

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers. Driven by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle some of the most complex problems in the financial markets.

In return for your expertise, you will have access to a range of Optiver perks, including:

• A performance-based bonus structure unmatched anywhere in the industry. We combine our profits across desks, teams and offices into a global profit pool, fostering a truly collaborative environment.

• The chance to work alongside diverse and intelligent peers in a rewarding environment.

• Training, mentorship and personal development opportunities.

• Daily breakfast, lunch and an in-house barista.

• Gym membership plus weekly in-house chair massages.

• Regular social events, including a company trip every two years.

Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process.

Questions? Get in touch with the recruitment team at [email protected].