Brokerage & Capital Markets Lead Operations Analyst (R-39995)

KeyBank is currently seeking to fill a fully remote role in our Capital Markets department, providing operational support.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience in the fixed income space and experience with clearing firms. 

Office hours are: 8 am EST - 5pm EST, depending upon business needs.

ABOUT THE JOB: 

The Lead Operations Analyst will provide advanced operational support within KBCM Settlement Services , ensuring the accurate and timely processing of securities settlements across institutional equity and fixed income products. This role serves as a subject matter expert on settlement processes, exception management, and reconciliation activities, partnering closely with Trading, Sales, Custodians, and external counterparties.

The position requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to independently resolve complex issues while maintaining a strong focus on risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational control . The Lead Operations Analyst will also play a key role in process improvement initiatives, project work, and cross‑functional collaboration .

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Settlement Processing & Operational Support:

• Support the day‑to‑day settlement of equity and fixed income trades, ensuring timely and accurate processing across multiple platforms and counterparties.
• Monitor settlement activity, including trade matching, allocations, and confirmation of settlement instructions.
• Investigate and resolve settlement breaks, fails, and discrepancies with internal teams and external broker‑dealers.

Exception Management & Problem Resolution:

• Independently analyze complex settlement issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Escalate risks and unresolved issues to management as appropriate, with recommended solutions.
• Manage assigned workloads and prioritize competing deadlines in a high‑volume environment.

Risk, Controls & Compliance:

• Maintain a strong understanding of regulatory requirements (SEC, FINRA) and internal policies impacting settlement operations.
• Ensure adherence to operational controls and procedures to mitigate risk and support audit readiness.
• Participate in internal audits, regulatory inquiries, and control testing activities.

Process Improvement & Documentation:

• Identify process inefficiencies and recommend workflow, system, or control improvements.
• Lead or contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and operational projects impacting Settlement Services.
• Develop and maintain procedures, including desktop procedures and process documentation.

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for team members, providing guidance on complex transactions and processes.
• Assist with training and onboarding of new employees and cross‑training within the team.
• Partner with Trading, Sales, Technology, Compliance, and external vendors to support business initiatives and resolve issues.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 4+ years of experience in brokerage, capital markets operations, or settlement processing.
• Strong understanding of securities settlement processes and post‑trade lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues and resolve with limited supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience supporting institutional equity and/or fixed income settlement.
• Series 99 license
• Experience working with clearing firms (e.g., Pershing or similar environments).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Risk awareness and control discipline.
• Process improvement mindset.
• Ability to work independently and lead initiatives.
• Strong partnership and stakeholder management.

CAREER LEVEL CONTEXT:

This role operates with a high level of autonomy and is expected to:

• Act as a trusted advisor within Operations.
• Lead operational problem solving and improvement initiatives.
• Support projects and cross‑functional business objectives.
• Influence stakeholders and drive results across multiple teams.

Working at Key is an opportunity to join a company committed to your success and the success of the clients and communities we serve. We offer our teammates the skills, mentoring and training needed to meet their career goals and better serve our clients.