Operations Analyst Graduate Programme 2026 Knutsford

If you're a recent graduate or soon-to-be graduate, join us and unlock a world of carefully curated experiences, knowledge, and connections to shape your career.Along the way, you can expect all the training and support you need to make your mark on the world. Put simply, we’ll empower you to help determine how we do things and where we go next. Our graduates are a vital part of our success, and we welcome applications from people from all walks of life. Whoever you are and wherever you want to join us, if you’re curious, creative, and ambitious, this is a world in which you can truly belong.

Our Explorer Programme

You'll join our explorer programme, a 2-year programme designed to give you depth and breadth of experience. Participating in job-based bespoke training from the start enabling you to go fully-equipped into your role as you embark on the first of three eight-month long rotations.

Why the Operations Graduate programme?

At Barclays, every moment is a chance to make a difference. Whether it’s helping a couple secure their first mortgage, enabling a family holiday through a credit card, or supporting a university’s transformation with new accommodation and sports facilities — our work touches lives in real time, every day.

Behind this constant flow of activity across investment, corporate, and retail banking is a powerhouse: our Operations team. They ensure payments are processed, credit card systems run smoothly, and trades and transactions — from equities to debt financing — are executed with precision and speed. In short, they’re the heartbeat of the bank.

As part of this programme, you’ll become a vital part of that rhythm. You’ll build a strong foundation in Operations, contribute to strategic initiatives, and help us deliver exceptional service — the right way, every time.

To be considered for this opportunity, you'll be motivated with a strong degree or expected degree – in any area.

You’ll also bring a customer-first mindset and a natural curiosity for what’s next. You’re quick to adapt, eager to explore new technologies, and always on the lookout for smarter ways to work. Tech-savvy and insight-driven, you know how to turn complex data into clear, compelling stories — and you’re just as comfortable sharing those insights with stakeholders across the business. If you’re someone who challenges the status quo and thrives on innovation, you’ll fit right in.

For the graduate programme:

Please be advised that the 2026 Operations Graduate Programme is not one which we can offer sponsorship for at this time. Accordingly, applicants for this position will need to have the legal right to work in the UK on a full time basis from August 2026 to August 2028.

Following the graduate programme:

Please note that the Operations business area is currently deemed out of scope for sponsorship. Please be assured that we considered all factors very carefully, prior to making this decision. Accordingly, as it currently stands, you would not be eligible to receive a Skilled Worker Visa from Barclays at the end of the Graduate Programme if you obtain a role in this area.

Working In Knutsford

Set in 64 acres of gardens and centred around the historic Radbroke Hall, our Knutsford campus blends heritage with innovation. We’re redeveloping the site into a world-class, sustainable workspace that fosters collaboration and wellbeing.

Colleagues enjoy a vibrant community with clubs and activities ranging from yoga and running to beekeeping and boardgames. We host family-friendly events—including our own Glastonbury-style festival—and are proud to support our local community.

With free shuttle buses from nearby transport hubs and onsite parking, getting here is easy too.

It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Purpose of the role

To support the day-to-day operations of the operations business division providing insights and expertise that help more senior colleagues make informed decisions, develop new products and services, and identify new market opportunities

Accountabilities

• Performance of KYC tasks while following standard procedures related to Client Due Diligence and AML policies.
• Monitoring of real time transaction flow, trade updates and exception queues to ensure timely and accurate trade representation across systems.
• Address incident, problem and change management issues to improve services across the bank.
• Provision of support to continuous improvement of the operational process and the development of best practices; coming up with ways to improve systems and processes.
• Provision of support for cleared derivatives, performing perform daily reconciliation of related fees undertake a range of complex customer and product related processing activities.
• Participation in training and development programs to enhance skills and knowledge.

Analyst Expectations

• To perform prescribed activities in a timely manner and to a high standard consistently driving continuous improvement.
• Requires in-depth technical knowledge and experience in their assigned area of expertise
• Thorough understanding of the underlying principles and concepts within the area of expertise
• They lead and supervise a team, guiding and supporting professional development, allocating work requirements and coordinating team resources.
• If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.
• OR for an individual contributor, they develop technical expertise in work area, acting as an advisor where appropriate.
• Will have an impact on the work of related teams within the area.
• Partner with other functions and business areas.
• Takes responsibility for end results of a team’s operational processing and activities.
• Escalate breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
• Take responsibility for embedding new policies/ procedures adopted due to risk mitigation.
• Advise and influence decision making within own area of expertise.
• Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work you own or contribute to. Deliver your work and areas of responsibility in line with relevant rules, regulation and codes of conduct.
• Maintain and continually build an understanding of how own sub-function integrates with function, alongside knowledge of the organisations products, services and processes within the function.
• Demonstrate understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub-function.
• Make evaluative judgements based on the analysis of factual information, paying attention to detail.
• Resolve problems by identifying and selecting solutions through the application of acquired technical experience and will be guided by precedents.
• Guide and persuade team members and communicate complex / sensitive information.
• Act as contact point for stakeholders outside of the immediate function, while building a network of contacts outside team and external to the organisation.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.