Intermediate Derivatives Trader – Equity Options

American Equity; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company in Des Moines, IA seeks an Intermediate Trader to execute approved derivatives trades and support the derivatives function. You will monitor markets, maintain dealer relationships, and provide timely market sentiment updates to senior traders.

The role requires Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field and 3+ years in trading or capital markets, with experience in equity options preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, mathematics, statistics, business, accounting, or a related field; plus three (3) or more years of trading, derivatives, investment, capital markets, risk management, or related experience.
• Experience supporting or executing trades involving equity options or other derivative instruments is preferred.
• Experience using Bloomberg for market data, pricing, analytics, monitoring, or trade‑related research.
• Advanced Excel experience, including macros, Power Query, complex formulas, data analysis, and working with large or complex data sets.

Responsibilities

• Executes authorized derivatives trades under direction in accordance with approved strategies, trading guidelines, risk limits, and internal controls.
• Trades with external dealers and market participants on behalf of American Equity, in alignment with direction provided by Senior Traders or the Head of Derivatives.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with derivatives dealers, counterparties, brokers, and other market participants.
• Provides ongoing information regarding market sentiment, trading environment, volume, liquidity, and price volatility.
• Monitors asset classes and related markets to understand trading characteristics, price trends, and execution considerations.
• Supports trade analysis, pricing review, scenario evaluation, and other pre- and post-trade activities using Bloomberg, Excel, SQL, Power Query, macros, Python.

Skills

Derivatives Trading

Bloomberg

Excel (Advanced)

SQL

Python

Market Analysis

Risk Management

Trade Execution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field

CFA designation progress encouraged

Tools

Macros

Power Query

SQL

Job description

American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company in Des Moines, IA seeks an Intermediate Trader to execute approved derivatives trades and support the derivatives function. You will monitor markets, maintain dealer relationships, and provide timely market sentiment updates to senior traders.

The role requires Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field and 3+ years in trading or capital markets, with experience in equity options preferred.