Equity Finance - AI Automation Specialist

Join us at Barclays as an AI Automation Specialist within Equity Finance. You will work closely with traders, sales, risk, operations and technology teams, contributing directly to automation initiatives and process enhancement within a live trading environment. The role sits within the Equity Financing business in a front‑office–aligned markets team and is well suited to someone with strong analytical skills, a proactive Quantitativemindset, and a genuine interest in improving trading and post‑trade workflows through technology. There will be a particular focus on the practical implementation of AI.

In your role, you will support the day‑to‑day activities of the equity finance desk in a fast‑paced markets environment, designing, enhancing, and maintaining trade‑capture and post‑trade automation solutions while using SQL, Python, and VBA to extract, analyse, and transform trading and position data. You will apply an understanding of AI tools, including Claude AI, to drive productivity, analytical efficiency, and automation opportunities. You will partner closely with front office, operations, and technology teams to streamline workflows and reduce manual touchpoints. Contribution will also be made to ongoing process‑improvement initiatives with a strong focus on scalability, control, and operational robustness.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a leading Front Office aligned Markets business with a focus on automation and technology driven change whilst developing technical and commercial skillsets within Equity Finance and Prime Brokerage.

To be successful as an AI Automation Specialist you should have:

• Relevant academic background in a STEM/Quantitative field
• Some professional experience within a buy‑side or sell‑side financial institution (Prime Brokerage, Equity Finance, Equities, or Financial Markets highly beneficial)
• Practical understanding of Claude AI or comparable AI tools, and how they can be applied in a professional environment
• Proven SQL skills, with working knowledge of Python and VBA
• Familiarity with trade capture systems/processes and automation concepts
• Ample attention to detail with the ability to work accurately under pressure

Additional skills of value include:

• Collaborative and professional, with effective stakeholder management skills
• Diplomatic communication style and the ability to work across functions
• Delivery & problem-solving mindset – see projects through to completion
• Proactive, curious, and willing to take ownership
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, high‑standards markets environment

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

You will be based out of our office in Canary Wharf, London.

Purpose of the role

To maintain the smooth and efficient operation of our trading desks, providing operational support and expertise to traders, sales professionals, and other key stakeholders, helping them maximize their productivity and minimize disruptions and handling administrative tasks, and providing market information and research. 

Accountabilities

• Provision of immediate and efficient technical support to traders and sales professionals on the trading desks, resolving hardware, software, and network-related issues to ensure uninterrupted trading activities.
• Coordination of trade execution by liaising with traders, clients, and other internal teams to ensure smooth transactions.
• Maintenance and updating of trade records, transaction logs, and client databases accurately.
• Reports, presentations, and documentation preparation to support sales and trading activities.
• Monitoring of market data and assist in the analysis of financial information for trading decisions.
• Operational tasks such as processing trades, confirming orders, and resolving trade discrepancies.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

• To advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/ business divisions.
• Lead a team performing complex tasks, using well developed professional knowledge and skills to deliver on work that impacts the whole business function. Set objectives and coach employees in pursuit of those objectives, appraisal of performance relative to objectives and determination of reward outcomes
• 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 will lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will identify new directions for assignments and/ or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes.
• Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues.
• Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda.
• Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done.
• Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub-function.
• Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy.
• Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc).to solve problems creatively and effectively.
• Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.
• Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

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.