Intermediate Derivatives Trader — Equity Options

Socket.dev; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company in Des Moines, IA seeks an Intermediate Trader to execute authorized derivatives trades under supervision. You will monitor markets, assist with trade execution, and maintain dealer relationships while leveraging Bloomberg, Excel, and Python tools to support accurate trade decisions.

Developing knowledge of equity options and other derivatives; work under guidance from Senior Traders and Head of Derivatives, with emphasis on risk controls and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, mathematics, statistics, business, accounting, or a related field; plus 3+ years of trading, derivatives, investment, capital markets, risk management, or related experience.
• 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 datasets.
• Demonstrated ability to learn complex asset classes, trading processes, and market conventions.
• Progress toward or completion of the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
• Insurance, asset management, investment management, or institutional trading experience.

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 the Head of Derivatives, Managing Senior Traders, and other stakeholders with ongoing information regarding market sentiment, trading environment, trading volume, liquidity, and price volatility.
• Monitors assigned asset classes and related markets to understand trading characteristics, price trends, valuation drivers, and execution considerations.
• Applies strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to evaluate market information, identify issues, ask appropriate follow-up questions, and support timely trading execution.
• Maintains accurate trade-related documentation and supports compliance with applicable policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and internal control expectations.
• Collaborates with derivatives, investment, risk, operations, legal, compliance, technology, and other business partners to support effective trade execution and lifecycle processes.

Skills

Derivatives trading

Market analysis

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or related field

CFA designation in progress

Tools

Bloomberg

Excel

SQL

Power Query

Macros

Python

Job description

American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company in Des Moines, IA seeks an Intermediate Trader to execute authorized derivatives trades under supervision. You will monitor markets, assist with trade execution, and maintain dealer relationships while leveraging Bloomberg, Excel, and Python tools to support accurate trade decisions.

Developing knowledge of equity options and other derivatives; work under guidance from Senior Traders and Head of Derivatives, with emphasis on risk controls and