Algo Trading Headhunter

Korn Ferry; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

PTO

401(k)

Job summary

Korn Ferry is seeking an experienced recruiting specialist to support quantitative and algorithmic trading hiring for a financial services client.

This consultant will work with trading desk stakeholders to understand complex talent needs, source proactively, and engage passive candidates ahead of openings. The objective is to fill approximately one VP-level role per month with priorities set in partnership with the desk.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success recruiting quantitative, algorithmic trading, or high-frequency trading professionals.
• Strong understanding of complex quantitative roles and ability to converse with trading desk stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build passive candidate pipelines through direct sourcing and long-term relationships.
• Established network within the quantitative trading community.

Responsibilities

• Partner with trading desk stakeholders to understand team needs and technical requirements.
• Translate discussions into candidate profiles and sourcing strategies across quantitative and trading domains.
• Map talent across hedge funds, trading firms, and digital asset businesses.
• Identify and engage passive candidates through direct outreach and referrals.
• Conduct initial discussions to assess experience and fit with desk requirements.
• Present qualified candidates and support progression through interviews.
• Maintain active pipeline and share market intelligence to refine search priorities.

Skills

Quantitative recruiting

Algorithmic trading

Passive candidate engagement

Stakeholder management

Direct sourcing

Job description

Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant - Quantitative and Algorithmic Trading

Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York
Work Arrangement: Hybrid - four days onsite and one day remote per week
Engagement: Eight-month contract, with potential to extend or convert to direct hire
Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, standard daytime business hours
Compensation: $75-$90 per hour W2 (w/ access to Medical Benefits, PTO, & 401k) or able to work under consultant's own LLC if preferred
Start Date: Flexible based on candidate availability

About the Opportunity

Korn Ferry is seeking an experienced recruiting specialist to support quantitative and algorithmic trading hiring for a financial services client.

This consultant will work directly with trading desk stakeholders to understand complex quantitative talent needs, identify prospective hires, and develop relationships with highly specialized professionals. The assignment emphasizes proactive market mapping, direct sourcing, and sustained engagement with passive candidates ahead of formal openings.

The anticipated hiring objective is approximately one Vice President-level professional per month, with search priorities established in partnership with the desk.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner directly with trading desk stakeholders to understand team needs, technical requirements, and the experience that distinguishes strong candidates for complex quantitative roles.

• Translate business discussions into targeted candidate profiles and sourcing strategies across quantitative, algorithmic, and high-frequency trading.

• Map relevant talent across hedge funds, quantitative and proprietary trading firms, and cryptocurrency or digital asset businesses.

• Identify and engage passive candidates through direct outreach, referrals, professional networking, and established industry relationships.

• Conduct initial candidate discussions to assess relevant experience, career interests, motivation, and alignment with desk requirements.

• Present qualified candidates with clear assessments of their experience and suitability, and support their progression through interviews.

• Maintain an active talent pipeline and share market intelligence and candidate feedback to help refine search priorities.

Experience and Qualifications

• Demonstrated success recruiting quantitative, algorithmic trading, or high-frequency trading professionals, including senior or Vice President-level talent.

• Strong understanding of complex quantitative roles and the ability to hold substantive conversations with trading desk stakeholders and prospective candidates.

• Proven ability to build passive candidate pipelines through direct sourcing and long-term relationship development.

• An established network within the quantitative trading community and familiarity with relevant firms and specialist recruiting channels.

• Experience recruiting within a hedge fund, algorithmic trading firm, specialist quantitative search agency, or cryptocurrency or digital asset business with comparable hiring needs.

• Strong communication skills, discretion, and the ability to execute searches independently while partnering closely with the business.

• Availability to work onsite in Midtown Manhattan four days per week.

Contract and Compensation Details

This assignment is through Korn Ferry, which holds the contract with the client.

• W2: $75-$90 per hour, with access to medical benefits, PTO, and a 401(k), subject to applicable eligibility and plan terms.

• C2C: Engagement through the consultant's own LLC is also available.

• Extension or conversion: Potential to extend the assignment or convert to direct employment with the client, subject to business needs and mutual agreement.

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com