Senior Crypto Operations & Trade Lifecycle Lead

ICG NewGround is a Zurich-based sustainable infrastructure investment firm with €2.8B in assets under management. We partner with governments and institutions to deploy capital into projects that deliver lasting financial returns and measurable environmental impact. As we expand into digital asset markets, we're building a world-class trading operations function to support our quantitative and directional trading strategies across global crypto venues.

About ICG NewGround

ICG NewGround is a Zurich-based sustainable infrastructure investment firm with €2.8B in assets under management. We partner with governments and institutions to deploy capital into projects that deliver lasting financial returns and measurable environmental impact. As we expand into digital asset markets, we're building a world-class trading operations function to support our quantitative and directional trading strategies across global crypto venues.

The Role

We're seeking a Senior Crypto Operations & Trade Lifecycle Lead to own and optimize the entire post-trade operations framework for our digital asset trading desk. You will be the bridge between front-office trading and back-office settlement, ensuring that every trade—whether executed on centralized exchanges, OTC, or DeFi protocols—settles accurately, efficiently, and securely.

This is a high-impact, high-visibility role. You'll work alongside quantitative traders, developers, and finance teams to build scalable operational infrastructure that can support multi-million dollar trading volumes across spot, futures, perpetuals, and options.

Key Responsibilities

Trade Operations & Settlement

• Oversee end-to-end trade lifecycle management: trade capture, allocation, confirmation, and settlement across all venues
• Monitor and resolve settlement fails, reconciliation breaks, and margin calls in real-time
• Manage collateral movements and ensure optimal funding across exchange accounts and custodial wallets

Reconciliation & Control

• Perform daily and periodic reconciliation of trading activity against exchange statements, internal ledgers, and fund administrator records
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies in trade details (price, quantity, fees) and P&L calculations
• Maintain robust control frameworks to detect and prevent operational errors or unusual activity

Exchange & Counterparty Management

• Manage exchange connectivity, API keys, and account configurations across 10+ trading venues
• Coordinate with counterparties (liquidity providers, OTC desks, custodians) to resolve operational issues
• Support onboarding of new venues and trading pairs, including due diligence and technical integration

Process Optimization & Automation

• Identify opportunities to automate manual workflows using Python, SQL, or internal tools
• Collaborate with quantitative developers to enhance trade monitoring dashboards and reporting systems
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all operational processes

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with traders to ensure pre-trade readiness and post-trade accuracy
• Work with finance and compliance teams to support regulatory reporting, audit requests, and investor inquiries
• Act as the operational subject matter expert for all things related to trade settlement and custody

Requirements

Experience & Expertise

• 6+ years of experience in trade operations, middle office, or settlement roles within financial services
• 3+ years specifically focused on crypto trading operations across spot, futures, perpetuals, and options
• Deep familiarity with exchange operations: API connectivity, funding mechanisms, fee structures, and margin requirements
• Proven track record of managing high-volume trade flows and resolving complex settlement issues under pressure

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Python for data analysis, reconciliation automation, and workflow optimization
• Strong SQL skills for querying large datasets and building operational reports
• Advanced Excel skills for ad-hoc analysis and reconciliation
• Experience with trading systems, order management systems (OMS), and reconciliation platforms

Crypto Knowledge

• Deep understanding of crypto market microstructure: order books, liquidity patterns, execution algorithms, and settlement mechanics
• Familiarity with both CEX (Binance, Kraken, Bybit, OKX) and DEX (Uniswap, Curve) ecosystems
• Experience with custody solutions (Fireblocks, Copper, BitGo) and multi-sig wallet operations is a strong plus
• Knowledge of derivatives margin mechanics, funding rates, and basis trading preferred

Mindset & Soft Skills

• Extreme attention to detail and a zero-tolerance approach to unreconciled breaks
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, 24/7 trading environment and make quick, informed decisions
• Strong communication skills to bridge the gap between traders, engineers, and finance teams
• A builder's mentality—excited to create scalable processes from the ground up

Non-Negotiable

• Candidates without substantial hands‑on crypto trade operations experience will not be considered.

What We Offer

• $275,000 – $310,000+ base salary with significant performance-based bonus
• The autonomy to build and lead the trading operations function
• A global, collaborative team with deep investment expertise and a long‑term horizon
• Flexible working arrangements (remote / hybrid) with a presence in Zurich
• Long‑term career growth at a firm with 12+ years of excellence and a reputation for integrity
• Opportunity to work at the intersection of traditional finance and cutting‑edge digital assets