Application Support Analyst
French speaking
Trading/front office environment
3/4 years experience
Contractor £300 - £350pd inside IR35
Location: London / European Office
Department: Front Office IT / Trading Support
Reporting to: Head of Application Support / Trading IT Lead
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Role Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated Application Support Analyst to join our Front Office IT team within a leading European bank. The successful candidate will provide day-to-day support to traders and front office users, ensuring the stability, performance, and reliability of trading applications.
This role requires a strong combination of technical expertise and functional understanding of financial markets, particularly in a fast-paced trading environment.
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Key Responsibilities
Front Office Support
• Provide real-time support to traders, sales, and front office users
• Act as the first point of contact for trading-related application issues
• Ensure minimal disruption to trading activities by resolving incidents quickly
Incident & Problem Management
• Monitor trading systems and proactively identify issues
• Manage incidents in line with SLA/KPI targets
• Perform root cause analysis and implement long-term fixes
• Escalate critical issues appropriately and communicate effectively with stakeholders
Application & System Support
• Support a range of trading applications (OMS, EMS, pricing tools, risk systems)
• Troubleshoot issues across:
• Trade lifecycle (capture, validation, booking)
• Market data feeds
• Pricing and risk calculations
• Perform application deployments, releases, and environment checks
Technical Support
• Analyse logs, system performance, and data flows
• Work with technologies such as:
• SQL / databases (Oracle, SQL Server, etc.)
• Linux/Unix and/or Windows environments
• Scripting (Python, Shell, PowerShell)
• Interface with infrastructure teams (network, cloud, middleware)
Business Interaction
• Build strong relationships with traders and desk heads
• Translate business issues into technical solutions
• Provide functional guidance on system usage and workflows
Continuous Improvement
• Identify opportunities to automate repetitive tasks
• Improve monitoring, alerting, and documentation
• Contribute to system enhancements and projects
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Required Skills & Experience
Technical Skills
• Strong knowledge of:
• SQL (query writing, data analysis)
• Linux/Unix commands
• Scripting (Python, Shell, or similar)
• Understanding of system architecture (APIs, messaging, batch processes)
• Experience with monitoring tools (e.g., Geneos, Splunk, AppDynamics)
Functional / Business Knowledge
• Solid understanding of:
• Financial markets (Equities, Fixed Income, FX, or Derivatives)
• Trade lifecycle
• Front office workflows
• Experience supporting trading desks is highly desirable
Soft Skills
• Excellent communication skills (ability to interact with traders under pressure)
• Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset
• Ability to work in a high-pressure, real-time environment
• Proactive and ownership-driven attitude
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Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• 2–5+ years experience in Application Support within a financial institution
• Experience in a Front Office / Trading floor environment is essential
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Nice to Have
• Knowledge of:
• FIX protocol
• Market data platforms (Bloomberg, Reuters)
• DevOps tools / CI-CD pipelines
• Prior experience in investment banking or asset management