Institutional Trader

Optiver Holding BV; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Global profit-sharing pool

401(k) match up to 50%

Comprehensive health coverage

Extensive office perks like meals and events

Office perks and social events

Job summary

A leading trading firm in Chicago is seeking an experienced Institutional Trader to manage and build relationships, interpret market flows, and identify new opportunities. The ideal candidate will have 2-5 years of experience in trading Index and/or Equity Derivatives, a solid understanding of the market landscape, and strong interpersonal skills. This role offers a competitive compensation package and various perks, including a 401(k) match and comprehensive health coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.
• 2-5 years of experience trading Index and/or Equity Derivatives.
• Strong mathematical and quantitative background.
• Legal authorization to work in the US.

Responsibilities

• Manage and build relationships with external counterparties.
• Interpret large flows to inform trading strategies.
• Identify new market opportunities to diversify strategies.
• Collaborate with internal sales and trading desks.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Trading experience

Quantitative analysis

Market intuition

US work authorization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Trading platforms

Market data feeds

Job description

Optiver is looking for an Institutional Trader to join our Trading Team. As one of the key faces of our organization, you will translate market intricacies into strategic trades, driving profitability and expanding our trading counterparties utilizing your strong interpersonal skills. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of our institutional business.

What you’ll do:

Institutional traders often take on the largest and most impactful trades across the landscape. Every day presents them with new interactions, experiences and situations to navigate. In this role, you will also:

• Represent Optiver by managing current and building new relationships with external counterparties
• Interpret large flows to inform trading strategies
• Identify new market opportunities in order to diversify our strategies and maximize team success
• Collaborate with our internal sales and trading desks to make real-time contributions to trading and pricing decisions

What you’ll get:

• The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
• A highly competitive compensation package
• Global profit‑sharing pool and performance‑based bonus structure
• 401(k) match up to 50%
• Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who you are:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree (required)
• Have 2-5 years of experience trading Index and/or Equity Derivatives at a Bank or Propriety Trading Firm
• Expertise in trading and position management around market flows
• Have a deep understanding of the market landscape and industry dynamics, allowing for the identification of innovative growth prospects
• Excellent communicator with experience building and maintaining external relationships in your prior roles
• Competitive attitude and dedication to constantly improve in a team environment
• Strong mathematical and quantitative background
• Legal authorization to work in the US

Who we are:

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilising the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritise safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.

Below is the expected base salary for this position. This is a good‑faith estimate of the base pay scale for this position and offers will ultimately be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and performance in the interview process. This position will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus (if determined by Optiver) and Optiver’s benefits package with the benefits listed above.