SummaryThe 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 ResponsibilitiesOversee 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.
Platform & System Management- 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.
Risk & Controls- 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.
Supervision & Compliance- 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.
Strategic & FCM Support- 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.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- 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.
Organizational Management- 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.
Interested in the role? Apply today with your resume! 
