Associate Trader/Trader, Derivatives and Equities

Russell Investments; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plan

Vacation

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Russell Investments’ global trading team in Seattle is seeking an Associate Trader, Derivatives and Equities, with primary responsibility for supporting trading during APAC market hours. You will contribute to trading across derivatives and equities, collaborating with senior traders and PMs to execute strategies in a fast-paced, tech-driven environment.

The role offers exposure to listed futures, swaps, options, and APAC equity markets, aligning with our best-execution practices and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, mathematics, or a related discipline.
• 1–3 years of relevant experience in trading, brokerage, investment management, portfolio management, trading operations, or a related financial markets role.
• Foundational knowledge of financial markets and a strong interest in developing expertise across both equities and derivatives.
• Experience with order management systems (OMS), execution management systems (EMS), direct market access (DMA), or algorithmic trading tools is a plus.
• Exposure to APAC or other international markets is a plus but is not required.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to understand trading data, market information, and transaction-cost analysis.

Responsibilities

• Trade execution across a range of derivative instruments, including listed equity index, fixed income, and commodity futures, as well as listed and OTC options and swaps.
• Collaborate with the equity trading team to execute equity orders and trading strategies across APAC exchanges, with opportunities to develop broader knowledge of global equity markets.
• Work with senior traders to evaluate and implement appropriate execution strategies using market data, risk models, optimization tools, transaction-cost analytics, and other trading systems.
• Develop an understanding of liquidity, market impact, tracking error, and transaction costs across equities and derivatives.
• Execute transactions in accordance with established trading procedures, controls, and Russell Investments’ best execution guidelines.
• Develop an understanding of market structure, trading risks, and execution practices across multiple asset classes and markets.
• Develop proficiency with order management systems, execution management systems, algorithmic trading tools, direct market access, and other market-facing execution technologies used across equity and derivatives trading.
• Build knowledge of APAC market structure, trading conventions, and liquidity, while developing broader expertise across global equities and derivative instruments, taking on greater trading responsibilities as experience and proficiency develop.
• Work closely with traders, portfolio managers, investment managers, operations, technology teams, and other internal and external stakeholders to support effective implementation of portfolio and client trading requirements.
• Assist with regular reporting and analysis related to trading volumes, transaction costs, execution quality, market activity, and other trading and performance-related information.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Attention to detail

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, mathematics, or related discipline

Tools

Bloomberg

OMS/EMS/DMA

Algorithmic trading tools

Job description

Salary Range: $90,000 USD - $140,000 USD Specific compensation will be based on candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, commercial considerations, and other job-related factors permitted by law. At Russell Investments, salary is just one part of our compensation package. Our total rewards approach includes an annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility criteria) in addition to participation in our competitive benefits programs including healthcare, retirement, vacation, and wellbeing programs.

Associate Trader Salary Range: 90,000 to 120,000 Trader Salary Range: 120,000 to 140,000 Specific compensation will be based on the candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, commercial considerations, and other job-related factors permitted by law. At Russell Investments, salary is just one part of our compensation package. Our total rewards approach includes an annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility criteria) in addition to participation in our competitive benefits programs, including healthcare, retirement, vacation, and wellbeing programs.

Job Description

This is an opportunity to join Russell Investments’ global trading team in Seattle as an Associate Trader, Derivatives and Equities, with primary responsibility for supporting trading during Asia-Pacific (APAC) market hours. You will be part of a global team responsible for trading and implementing investment strategies across Russell Investments’ funds, trading clients, transition management clients, and other third-party client portfolios. The role provides broad exposure across both derivatives and global equities. On the derivatives side, you will support trading across equity, fixed income, and commodity derivatives, including listed futures, swaps, and listed and OTC options. On the equity side, you will support execution across APAC equity markets. You will work closely with experienced traders, portfolio managers, investment managers, and other internal and external partners to implement trading strategies efficiently and in accordance with Russell Investments’ best execution practices. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to develop broad expertise across asset classes and global markets. A successful candidate will bring exceptional attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, strong analytical skills, and a desire to develop a deep understanding of financial markets and trading. The position requires someone who is highly organized, disciplined, collaborative, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment. This position will primarily operate on an APAC trading schedule, approximately 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Because the trading desk supports global markets and works closely with colleagues across international offices, some flexibility in working hours may be required based on market conditions, trading activity, and business needs.

Your Core Responsibilities

• Trade execution across a range of derivative instruments, including listed equity index, fixed income, and commodity futures, as well as listed and OTC options and swaps.
• Collaborate with the equity trading team to execute equity orders and trading strategies across APAC exchanges, with opportunities to develop broader knowledge of global equity markets.
• Work with senior traders to evaluate and implement appropriate execution strategies using market data, risk models, optimization tools, transaction-cost analytics, and other trading systems.
• Develop an understanding of liquidity, market impact, tracking error, and transaction costs across equities and derivatives.
• Execute transactions in accordance with established trading procedures, controls, and Russell Investments’ best execution guidelines.
• Develop an understanding of market structure, trading risks, and execution practices across multiple asset classes and markets.
• Develop proficiency with order management systems, execution management systems, algorithmic trading tools, direct market access, and other market-facing execution technologies used across equity and derivatives trading.
• Build knowledge of APAC market structure, trading conventions, and liquidity, while developing broader expertise across global equities and derivative instruments, taking on greater trading responsibilities as experience and proficiency develop.
• Work closely with traders, portfolio managers, investment managers, operations, technology teams, and other internal and external stakeholders to support effective implementation of portfolio and client trading requirements.
• Assist with regular reporting and analysis related to trading volumes, transaction costs, execution quality, market activity, and other trading and performance-related information.

Your Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, mathematics, or a related discipline.
• 1–3 years of relevant experience in trading, brokerage, investment management, portfolio management, trading operations, or a related financial markets role.
• Foundational knowledge of financial markets and a strong interest in developing expertise across both equities and derivatives.
• Experience or familiarity with equity markets, futures, options, swaps, or other derivative instruments is preferred.
• Exposure to APAC or other international markets is a plus but is not required.
• Experience with order management systems (OMS), execution management systems (EMS), direct market access (DMA), or algorithmic trading tools is a plus.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to understand trading data, market information, and transaction-cost analysis.
• High degree of focus, discipline, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, functions, and geographies.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced, technology-driven trading environment.
• Driven self-starter with intellectual curiosity and a desire to take on increasing responsibility as skills and experience develop.
• Strong proficiency with Excel preferred; experience with Bloomberg is a plus.
• CFA and/or CAIA designation, or progress toward a relevant professional designation, is a plus.
• Expected to obtain applicable securities licenses, including the SIE and Series 7, 55, and 66, as required for the role.
• Ability and willingness to work the APAC trading shift, approximately 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time, is required.
• This role is not eligible for employment-based immigration sponsorship.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Russell Investments is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all associates and employment applicants regardless of race, religion, ancestry, creed, color, gender (including gender identity which refers to a person's actual or perceived sex, and includes self-image, appearance, behavior or expression, whether or not different from that traditionally associated with a person's biological sex), age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, past or present unemployment status , or any other characteristic protected by law. Russell Investments is a leading global investment solutions partner providing a wide range of investment capabilities to institutional investors, financial intermediaries, and individual investors around the world. Since 1936, Russell Investments has been building a legacy of continuous innovation to deliver exceptional value to clients, working every day to improve people’s financial security. The firm has $381 billion in assets under management (as of 3/31/2026) for clients in 30 countries. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Russell Investments has offices in 17 cities around the world. Russell Investments' ownership is composed of a majority stake held by funds managed by TA Associates Management, L.P., with a significant minority stake held by funds managed by Reverence Capital Partners, L.P. Certain of Russell Investments' employees and Hamilton Lane Advisors, LLC also hold minority, non-controlling, ownership stakes.