Director, Market Operations

Rothera•Chicago, IL

9h•$160,000 - $190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Rothera is building a prediction market in partnership with Robinhood and Susquehanna International Group. Its platform enables traders to take positions on events and uses financial markets to generate information for leaders and decision makers. The Market Operations Director provides senior-level support to Rothera’s clients and internal stakeholders, maintains fair and orderly markets, and monitors system stability. This player-coach supports the education and professional development of Associates and Specialists, serves as a subject matter expert on CFTC regulations and the trading and clearing lifecycle, manages complex exceptions, reviews and certifies sensitive staff decisions, and acts as a senior liaison to clients. The role supports market participants and industry partners, maintains event contracts and trading controls, and oversees systems, settlement, clearing, and connectivity operations. It also designs and maintains automation scripts and uses log analysis and packet captures to investigate operational and technical issues. This is a full-time, in-person hybrid position. Visa sponsorship is not available now or in the future; applicants must be authorized to work permanently and indefinitely in the U.S.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience, including success in a technically focused operations or systems engineering role at a derivatives exchange, derivatives clearing house, market maker, or FCM.
Proven understanding of electronic trading systems, reference data management, matching engine mechanics, and market connectivity concepts.
Thorough practitioner knowledge of derivatives trading, clearing, and settlement processes, including margining methodologies and collateral management.
Ability to independently research, analyze, and resolve complex operational issues.
Proficiency with trade management and reconciliation systems, such as Calypso, SmartStream, TradingTechnologies, or proprietary reconciliation platforms.
Python programming experience, such as data analysis or writing simple scripts to automate manual processes.
Strong organizational leadership skills and ability to mentor colleagues while working as an individual contributor in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
Availability and commitment to flexibly accommodate an event-driven work schedule and an on-call environment.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a permanent, indefinite basis; visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Responsibilities

Provide senior-level technical and non-technical support to market participants, including FCMs, clearing banks, and other industry partners, resolving issues related to access to or use of trading, clearing, and data services.
Monitor system integrity and maintain control of Rothera’s trading environment.
Maintain listed event contracts, including accurate product specifications, trading parameters, and settlement terms.
Design, build, and maintain automation scripts for the Market Operations team.
Analyze logs and review packet captures to diagnose latency, execution, and trade-integrity issues in trading and clearing environments.
Oversee daily settlement of cleared transactions, including cash movements and payment instructions.
Manage the end-to-end clearing lifecycle, including position maintenance, collateral management, and delivery processing.
Serve as a subject matter expert on the FIX Protocol and assist members with new connections and certification testing.
Support the education and professional development of Associates and Specialists.
Manage complex exceptions, review and certify sensitive staff decisions, and serve as a senior liaison to clients.
Participate as an individual contributor while providing organizational leadership and mentoring colleagues.