Head of Systematic Macro

J K Barnes; New York (NY); On-site; USD 350,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

J K Barnes seeks a senior systematic macro specialist to build and lead a new macro trading business from the ground up in the United States. The role centers on FX spot, FX forwards and rates, with potential expansion into swaps and other macro products.

You will own the investment framework, research agenda, trading infrastructure, and team growth. The position requires at least five years in systematic macro research or trading, proven live performance, strong Python skills, and a formal

Qualifications

• Five+ years of systematic macro research or trading experience.
• Proven ownership of systematic strategies with live trading results.
• Deep expertise in FX spot, FX forwards and rates.
• Experience building or expanding a systematic macro capability.

Responsibilities

• Build the systematic macro business from the ground up.
• Develop and deploy systematic strategies across FX spot/forwards and rates.
• Define the research framework, portfolio construction, and risk architecture.
• Recruit and lead a team of quantitative researchers and developers.
• Establish infrastructure to research, execute, and monitor OTC products.

Skills

Python

Quantitative research

FX spot/forwards/rates

Leadership/mentoring

P&L attribution/Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s or higher in Mathematics/Statistics/CS/Engineering

Tools

Bloomberg terminal

OTC execution platforms

Data pipelines

Job description

A mid sized quantitative investment firm is seeking a senior systematic macro specialist to build and lead a new macro trading business.

This is not a maintenance role. The successful individual will take ownership of developing the investment framework, research agenda, trading infrastructure and team required to establish a scalable systematic macro capability.

The initial focus will be FX spot, FX forwards and rates, with the opportunity to expand into swaps and other liquid macro products. The strategy should be predominantly relative value or market neutral at the portfolio level, although shorter-term directional signals may form part of the wider investment process.

Key responsibilities:

• Build the systematic macro business from the ground up.
• Develop and deploy systematic strategies across FX spot, FX forwards, rates and related macro markets.
• Define the research framework, portfolio construction process and risk architecture.
• Recruit and lead a team of quantitative researchers and developers.
• Establish the infrastructure required to research, execute and monitor OTC products.
• Oversee market connectivity, execution workflows, position tracking and PnL attribution.
• Develop relationships with prime brokers, banks and other execution counterparties.
• Work with engineering teams to create the data, simulation and trading capabilities required for the strategy.
• Take ownership of live performance, capital deployment and the long-term development of the business.

Candidate profile:

• At least five years of systematic macro research or trading experience.
• Proven ownership of systematic strategies with demonstrable live trading performance.
• Deep expertise in FX spot, FX forwards and rates.
• Knowledge of OTC execution, trading workflows and counterparty relationships.
• Experience building or materially expanding a systematic macro capability.
• Strong understanding of portfolio construction, risk management and PnL attribution.
• Ability to recruit, manage and develop quantitative researchers.
• Strong Python and quantitative research skills.
• Degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering or another quantitative discipline.

Experience across swaps, commodities, volatility or other macro products would be advantageous.

This is a senior leadership opportunity with substantial scope to shape the strategy, infrastructure and team. The position is based in either New York or Connecticut.

All applications and conversations will be handled in strict confidence.