Options & Margin Risk Analyst

Apex Fintech Solutions • Chicago, IL

1d • $70,000 - $87,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Options and Margin Risk Analyst is responsible for real-time monitoring and assessment of client accounts to identify and mitigate risk exposures related to equity options trading and margin requirements. This role serves as a critical control function within the Risk Operations team, making time-sensitive decisions to protect both client accounts and the firm from excessive risk.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field
• Series 7 and Series 63 licenses preferred (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire)
• Options Principal (Series 4) license preferred
• 2 to 4 years of experience in brokerage operations, margin, or risk management
• Strong understanding of equity options mechanics including spreads, straddles, and complex strategies
• Working knowledge of Reg T, portfolio margin, and exchange/firm margin requirements
• Familiarity with options assignment, exercise, and expiration processes
• Experience with risk monitoring systems and trading platforms
• Ability to make sound decisions quickly in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and risk assessment judgment
• Clear communication skills for client and internal stakeholder interactions
• Proficiency with Excel, SQL, Big Query and ability to work with large datasets
• Proficiency in AI utilization
• Capacity to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure during market hours
• Standard market hours (typically 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM ET) with occasional extended hours during volatile markets
• Also Overnight Hours (typically 5:00PM - 5:00 PM ET)
• Hybrid work environment may be available after initial training period
• High-intensity role requiring sustained focus during trading hours

Responsibilities

• Options Expiration Monitoring
• Monitor option positions approaching expiration to identify potential assignment risks and account deficits
• Assess exposure scenarios for uncovered options and spreads that may result in account losses
• Proactively contact clients or take preventive action when expiration events could create margin deficiencies or unwanted positions
• Document expiration-related incidents and coordinate with appropriate teams for resolution
• Intraday Margin Surveillance
• Continuously monitor leveraged accounts throughout the trading day to identify margin deficiencies
• Calculate required equity increases based on position changes, market movements, and margin requirements
• Issue margin calls and determine appropriate timeframes for clients to meet requirements
• Escalate accounts that fail to meet margin requirements and coordinate with operations on potential liquidations
• Transfer Transaction Review
• Evaluate incoming and outgoing account transfer requests (ACAT, journal transfers) for risk implications
• Verify that transferred positions comply with account type restrictions and margin requirements
• Identify and reject transfers that would create unacceptable risk exposures or violate regulatory requirements
• Coordinate with transfer operations and clients to resolve issues or request additional documentation
• Complex Order Review and Authorization
• Analyze multi-leg option strategies and complex stock/option combination orders for appropriateness
• Assess whether proposed trades align with account type, approval level, and risk tolerances
• Make real-time decisions to approve, modify, or reject orders based on risk parameters
• Provide guidance to clients and trading desk on order modifications needed for approval
• Risk Reporting and Collaboration
• Generate daily reports on margin exceptions, rejected transfers, and blocked orders
• Collaborate with Compliance, Trading, and Client Services to address account risk issues
• Participate in the development and refinement of risk monitoring procedures and thresholds
• Contribute to training materials and knowledge sharing within the Risk Operations team

Benefits

• healthcare benefits (medical, dental and vision, EAP)
• competitive PTO
• 401k match
• parental leave
• HSA contribution match
• paid subscription to the Calm app
• generous external learning and tuition reimbursement benefits
• hybrid work schedule for most roles that allows employees to have the flexibility of working from home and one of our primary offices

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level