Intermediate Trader

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 is a leading provider of annuity solutions designed to help clients protect and grow retirement income. Part of Brookfield Wealth Solutions, we partner with more than 40,000 financial professionals and help fund over half a million retirements nationwide. Recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies and named a Top Workplace in Iowa, American Equity fosters a collaborative and purpose-driven culture where employees are empowered to ignite their passion and help shape the future of financial services.

Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with satellite offices in New York, NY, American Equity provides opportunities for employees to support work across the enterprise, including our sister company, American National, headquartered in Houston, Texas.

General Purpose Of The Job

The Intermediate Trader is responsible, under direction, for executing authorized derivatives trades on behalf of American Equity in accordance with approved investment strategies, risk parameters, and trading guidelines. This role supports the derivatives function by monitoring assigned markets, assisting with trade execution activities, maintaining dealer relationships, and providing timely information regarding market sentiment, trading activity, volume, liquidity, and price volatility.

The Intermediate Trader is expected to continue developing knowledge of assigned asset classes, including equity options and other derivative instruments, and to apply analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills to support accurate and timely trade execution. This position typically works under the guidance of Senior Traders or the Head of Derivatives and has less experience and more limited knowledge of assigned asset classes and markets than Senior Traders.

Essential Duties And 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.
• Supports trade analysis, pricing review, scenario evaluation, and other pre- and post-trade activities using Bloomberg, Excel, SQL, Power Query, macros, Python, or other approved tools.
• 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.
• Receives direction, guidance, and feedback from Senior Traders, Managing Senior Traders, or the Head of Derivatives to support continued development in trade execution and assigned markets.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education And/Or Experience

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; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience supporting or executing trades involving equity options or other derivative instruments is preferred.

• Experience executing trades or supporting trade execution in a fast‑paced, risk‑sensitive financial markets environment.
• 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.
• 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.

Certificates, Licenses, Professional Designations

Chartered Financial Analyst designation or active progress toward the designation preferred.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Working knowledge of assigned asset classes, trading characteristics, market conventions, pricing considerations, and factors influencing price trends, with continued development expected.
• Working understanding of derivatives, including equity options, and the risks, terminology, valuation drivers, and execution considerations associated with complex financial instruments.
• Analytical, quantitative, and critical thinking skills with the ability to evaluate information, understand underlying drivers, ask appropriate questions, and solve problems with guidance as needed.
• Ability to execute trades accurately while remaining mindful of risk, controls, and the financial impact of trading activity.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, including Power Query, macros, data modeling, complex formulas, and automation; working knowledge of SQL, Python, or AI-enabled tools preferred.
• Proficiency with Bloomberg and ability to use market data, trading analytics, and related tools to support trading decisions and execution.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to share market observations, trading updates, and technical information clearly with leaders and business partners.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment requiring accuracy, judgment, confidentiality, collaboration, and attention to detail.

This description covers the major purpose and essential functions of the job. It is not intended to give all details or a step‑by‑step account of the way each task is to be performed. Employees may receive other job related instructions and be required to perform other job related work requested by their manager. All requirements are subject to possible modification to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

At American Equity, our core values—Empowered, Passion, Integrity, and Caring—are more than words. They guide how we support one another and how we serve our clients every day. To learn more about American Equity, our culture, and our values, visit the Careers site.

Iowa Best Companies to Work for 2025 | Top Workplaces