Director Of Trading & Platform Operations Chicago, ILThe 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
