Senior Quantitative Analyst - Financial Modelling

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & bonus

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer matching

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks an experienced Senior Quantitative Analyst to join a sophisticated modelling team. You will design and validate complex models for pricing derivatives, risk management, and trading optimization, leveraging advanced statistics and computational methods.

This role blends independent work with collaboration across traders, risk officers, and portfolio managers in a flexible hybrid office setting.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, or Financial Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in quantitative analysis, financial modelling, or a related field within the financial services industry.
• Proven expertise in developing and implementing advanced mathematical and statistical models.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate complex quantitative models for pricing derivatives, managing risk, and optimizing trading strategies.
• Perform in-depth statistical analysis and data mining on large financial datasets.
• Develop and implement sophisticated algorithms for risk assessment and capital allocation.
• Collaborate with traders, portfolio managers, and risk officers to translate requirements into quantitative solutions.
• Conduct backtesting and performance analysis of trading models and strategies.
• Research and stay updated on the latest advancements in quantitative finance, machine learning, and computational statistics.
• Create clear and concise documentation for all models and methodologies.
• Communicate complex quantitative findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Enhance the firm's quantitative infrastructure and tools.
• Ensure models comply with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Quick learner

Education

Master’s or PhD in quantitative discipline

Tools

Python

R

C++

Java

SQL

NumPy

SciPy

Pandas

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious financial services firm with a strong presence in Stellenbosch, Western Cape , is seeking an experienced Senior Quantitative Analyst to join their sophisticated financial modelling team. This role is ideal for an individual with a passion for developing complex mathematical models to drive trading strategies, risk management, and product pricing. The successful candidate will work on challenging projects, leveraging advanced statistical and computational techniques to provide critical insights to the business. While the role is primarily based in our Stellenbosch, Western Cape office, we offer a flexible hybrid work arrangement. You will be an integral part of a high-performing team, contributing to the firm's innovation and success in the competitive financial markets. We seek individuals who are intellectually curious and driven by quantitative challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate complex quantitative models for pricing derivatives, managing risk, and optimizing trading strategies.
• Perform in-depth statistical analysis and data mining on large financial datasets.
• Develop and implement sophisticated algorithms for risk assessment and capital allocation.
• Collaborate with traders, portfolio managers, and risk officers to understand their needs and translate them into quantitative solutions.
• Conduct backtesting and performance analysis of trading models and strategies.
• Research and stay updated on the latest advancements in quantitative finance, machine learning, and computational statistics.
• Create clear and concise documentation for all developed models and methodologies.
• Communicate complex quantitative findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the firm’s quantitative infrastructure and tools.
• Ensure all models comply with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Requirements

• Master’s or Ph.D. in a quantitative discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, or Financial Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in quantitative analysis, financial modelling, or a related field within the financial services industry.
• Proven expertise in developing and implementing advanced mathematical and statistical models.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, R, C++, or Java, including experience with relevant libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, Pandas).
• Solid understanding of financial markets, derivatives, fixed income, and risk management principles.
• Experience with large datasets and databases; proficiency in SQL is essential.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts effectively.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Experience working in or with institutions in the Stellenbosch, Western Cape financial sector is advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a performance-driven bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage is provided.
• A generous retirement savings plan, including employer matching contributions, is available.
• The firm actively supports professional development, offering opportunities for further education, certifications, and attendance at leading industry conferences.
• Our hybrid work model in Stellenbosch, Western Cape promotes a healthy work-life balance.
• Employees also benefit from access to cutting-edge technology and a collaborative, intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement within our global network are significant.