As an Operations Analyst at Susquehanna International Group, your daily responsibilities will center around supporting the trading floor and managing the lifecycle of financial transactions. You will operate in a high-stakes, real-time environment where accuracy and speed are paramount.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Trade Support and Reconciliation – Monitoring real-time trading activity to ensure all trades are captured accurately in internal systems and match external clearing house records.
• Position and Cash Management – Reconciling cash balances, stock positions, and derivative exposures daily to prevent overdrafts, settlement failures, or unauthorized market exposure.
• Risk and Compliance Monitoring – Identifying operational anomalies, trading limit breaches, or regulatory compliance discrepancies, and escalating them immediately to risk managers and trading desks.
• Process Automation and Optimization – Collaborating with software developers and systems engineers to automate manual operational workflows using Excel, SQL, or scripting languages.
• External Relationship Management – Acting as the primary point of contact for clearing firms, prime brokers, and exchanges to resolve settlement disputes and trade breaks.

In this role, you will not work in a vacuum. You will be seated close to the trading desks, experiencing the immediate impact of market volatility. When markets are active, your ability to quickly resolve trade discrepancies directly preserves the firm's profitability and operational integrity.

SIG looks for candidates who possess a unique blend of quantitative aptitude, technical curiosity, and strong communication skills. While a background in finance is helpful, it is not a strict requirement; the firm frequently hires candidates with diverse STEM and analytical backgrounds.

Must-Have Skills and Qualifications

• Strong Quantitative Background – A bachelor's degree in a highly analytical field such as Mathematics, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Statistics, or Computer Science.
• Exceptional Mental Arithmetic – The ability to perform quick calculations, estimate values, and apply basic probability concepts under pressure.
• Detail-oriented Mindset – A proven track record of maintaining high accuracy while managing repetitive or complex data tasks.
• Effective Communication – The ability to explain logical concepts clearly and collaborate with diverse teams including traders, developers, and external brokers.

Nice-to-Have Skills and Qualifications

• Technical Literacy – Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel (VBA, pivot tables, advanced formulas) and basic knowledge of SQL or Python for data analysis.
• Prior Financial Services Experience – Internships or early career experience in clearing, settlement, trade support, or risk management.
• Knowledge of Financial Instruments – A basic understanding of equities, options, futures, and fixed-income products.

Q: How difficult is the Operations Analyst interview at SIG compared to other firms? A: The interview is highly analytical and tends to be more challenging than standard financial operations roles. While you do not need deep programming knowledge, you will face rigorous testing on probability, mental math, and brain teasers.

Q: Do I need a background in finance or trading to get this job? A: No. SIG values raw analytical talent, logical reasoning, and a strong work ethic above specific financial knowledge. They have an extensive internal training program that will teach you the mechanics of the markets and proprietary trading operations.

Q: What is the company culture like for the operations team? A: The culture at SIG is highly meritocratic, logical, and fast-paced. Team members are direct, analytical, and supportive. Because the firm is heavily focused on game theory, you will find an environment where rational debate and structured thinking are highly celebrated.

Q: How long does the entire interview process take? A: The process typically takes between 3 to 6 weeks from the initial recruiter screen to the final offer decision, depending on the location and scheduling availability.

Q: Is there a written test during the interview process? A: Yes. Many candidates report completing a written brain teaser or analytical assessment during the on-site or final interview stage. This test is used to evaluate your written logic and problem-solving structure.

To maximize your chances of securing an offer as an Operations Analyst at SIG, keep these practical, firm-specific tips in mind during your preparation:

• Show Your Scratch Work – Always have a pen and paper ready for every interview round. When solving a brain teaser or probability question, write down your variables and walk the interviewer through your steps. This shows you are systematic and prevents simple mental math errors.
• Embrace the "Robotic" Communication Style – Some candidates find SIG interviewers to be highly direct, logical, and economical with their words. Do not take this personally; it is a reflection of the firm's highly objective, data-driven culture. Focus on delivering clear, structured, and factual answers.
• Prepare Your "Why SIG?" Story – SIG is distinct from traditional Wall Street investment banks. Make sure you can articulate why you want to work at a proprietary quantitative trading firm and how your skills align with their unique, game-theory-driven culture.
• Practice Market Making Games – Familiarize yourself with how to make a market on everyday estimations. Practice quoting a "bid" (the price you would buy at) and an "ask" (the price you would sell at) for random quantities, such as the height of the Empire State Building or the population of a city.

The Operations Analyst position at Susquehanna International Group offers an exceptional opportunity to build a career at the intersection of technology, finance, and game theory. By supporting the daily execution and risk management of one of the world's largest proprietary trading firms, you will develop a deep understanding of global markets and quantitative operations.

To succeed in this highly competitive interview process, focus your preparation on mastering basic probability, practicing lateral-thinking brain teasers, and refining your behavioral stories to highlight your structured decision-making and attention to detail. Remember that SIG values your logical process and intellectual curiosity far more than a perfect resume or memorized financial jargon.

The salary information above represents the competitive compensation structure SIG offers its operations professionals. Base salary is typically paired with a performance-based bonus, reflecting the firm's meritocratic approach to reward. As you prepare for your interviews, keep in mind that demonstrating strong quantitative skills and operational precision is key to positioning yourself for a strong offer. For more detailed interview insights, company reviews, and prep materials, continue exploring resources on Dataford.