Risk Suveillance Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

RISK SURVEILLANCE OFFICER

Department: Risk & ComplianceLocation: KolkataReports To: The DirectorEmployment Focus: Risk monitoring, margin controls, surveillance and client risk managementJob Summary

The Risk Surveillance Officer is responsible for monitoring, analysing and managing trading activities to identify potential risks, regulatory breaches and market-abuse practices. The role ensures adherence to internal risk policies, exchange regulations and statutory requirements within a stockbroking and capital-markets environment. A key responsibility is the accurate and timely execution of client-level and segment-wise margin allocation, segregation, monitoring and reporting, along with proactive management of margin shortfalls and client exposures.

Key Responsibilities

• Real-Time Trade Monitoring: Continuously monitor client and proprietary trading activities across equity, derivatives, commodities and currency segments to detect abnormal patterns, excessive exposures or suspicious transactions.
• Risk Management & Controls: Track client exposures, margin utilisation, mark-to-market (MTM) positions and position limits; ensure adherence to internal risk parameters, exchange requirements and applicable margin norms.
• Margin Reporting, Allocation & Segregation: Own and execute the end-to-end margin reporting process, including accurate client-wise and segment-wise allocation and segregation of margins/collateral. Reconcile margin data across relevant trading, back-office and clearing systems; monitor applicable client-level margin requirements; prepare, validate and submit prescribed margin reports/records to the exchanges and other relevant authorities within stipulated timelines. Identify and resolve discrepancies promptly and maintain supporting records and audit trails.
• Margin & Exposure Management: Monitor margin shortfalls, peak and other applicable margin requirements, collateral availability and client exposures. Ensure timely margin collection and coordinate with dealing and operations teams for appropriate risk-reduction or square-off action in accordance with approved policies.
• Client Communication & Margin Collection: Communicate directly with clients regarding margin requirements, shortfalls, outstanding dues and risk-related actions. Demonstrate the confidence and judgement to make firm, timely and persistent follow-up calls for funds or collateral while remaining professional, courteous and service-oriented. Maintain constructive client relationships without compromising the firm's risk policies, collection timelines or control standards; escalate non-compliance or unresolved shortfalls promptly.
• Surveillance & Alerts Handling: Review system-generated alerts relating to price manipulation, insider trading, circular trading, front running and other potential market-abuse scenarios. Investigate, document and escalate matters as required.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with applicable SEBI regulations, stock-exchange requirements (NSE/BSE/MCX, as relevant) and other regulatory directions. Track relevant circulars and changes relating to risk management, margins, client collateral and surveillance.
• Client Risk Profiling: Monitor high-risk clients, unusual trading behaviour, concentration risks, repeated margin shortfalls and adverse payment patterns. Recommend appropriate limits, restrictions or other risk-mitigation measures.
• Reporting & Documentation: Prepare accurate daily, weekly and monthly risk, margin and surveillance reports. Maintain complete records of margin calculations, allocations, reconciliations, submissions, client follow-ups, alerts, investigations and actions taken.
• Coordination: Work closely with dealing, compliance, accounts, clearing and operations teams to ensure timely risk control, accurate reporting, margin collection and issue resolution.
• Audit & Inspection Support: Assist in internal and external audits and regulatory inspections; provide reconciliations, reports, records and clarifications relating to risk, surveillance and margin processes.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of Indian capital markets, including equity, equity derivatives, commodities and currency segments.
• Practical knowledge of broker risk-management processes, margin computation and utilisation, MTM, exposure monitoring, collateral and square-off procedures.
• Working knowledge of client-level margin allocation and segregation, segment-wise margin reporting, reconciliations and exchange reporting requirements.
• Ability to operate risk-management, trading, back-office and surveillance systems and to work accurately with data and reports.
• Good understanding of SEBI and stock-exchange regulations, circulars and compliance requirements relevant to broking operations.
• Strong analytical ability, attention to detail and the judgement to identify unusual trading patterns, discrepancies and emerging risks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to handle firm but professional conversations with clients on margin calls and fund collection.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with internal teams, maintain client relationships and escalate issues decisively.
• High integrity, accountability, confidentiality and professional ethics.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Commerce, Economics or a related discipline. MBA, CA, FRM or other relevant professional qualification will be an advantage.
• Typically 25 years of relevant experience in risk management, RMS, surveillance or margin operations within a stockbroking, trading or clearing-member environment.
• Hands-on experience in client-level and segment-wise margin allocation/segregation, margin reconciliation and exchange margin reporting is strongly preferred; candidates who have independently handled these activities will be given preference.
• NISM-Series-VII: Securities Operations and Risk Management is strongly preferred and particularly relevant to this role.
• NISM-Series-VIII: Equity Derivatives, NISM-Series-XVI: Commodity Derivatives and NISM-Series-III-A: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Non-Fund) will be added advantages, depending on the segments and responsibilities handled.
• Candidate must be willing to obtain and maintain any NISM certification specifically required for the functions assigned, in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Performance Metrics

• Accuracy, completeness and timeliness of client-wise and segment-wise margin allocation, segregation, reconciliation and reporting.
• Timely identification, communication and resolution of margin shortfalls and outstanding client obligations.
• Effectiveness in controlling client exposures and reducing avoidable risk events and regulatory breaches.
• Quality and timeliness of surveillance reviews, alert investigations, documentation and escalations.
• Compliance adherence, audit observations and overall effectiveness of risk-control processes.
• Professionalism and effectiveness in client communication, follow-up and coordination with internal teams.

Risk & Compliance | Risk Surveillance Officer