INSTITUTIONAL TRADER – AMSTERDAM

INTRODUCTION

Optiver is currently searching for its next generation of Institutional Traders in Amsterdam. Our ideal candidates are individuals with a unique blend of astuteness and numerical skills who are passionate about staying on top of financial markets and making split-second decisions that will have direct impact on our P&L. 

As an Institutional Trader, you'll be responsible for communicating with our long-standing network of brokers located in London, Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt, Zurich & the US. You'll handle incoming price requests and collaborate with our screen traders, playing a vital role in the trade's lifecycle. Each day will be different, offering new challenges and the opportunity to make a direct impact on our bustling trading floor.

We're looking for someone who is naturally adept at influencing and persuading people, building strong relationships, and has a strong affinity for numbers. If you have a competitive streak, that's even better! If this sounds like you, then this could be the perfect role.

WHO WE ARE:

Optiver is a tech-driven trading firm and leading global market maker. As one of the oldest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 50+ exchanges across the globe. Our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilising force no matter the market conditions. With a focus on innovation and continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates.

Our Amsterdam office is where it all began. Over 35 years ago, Optiver’s business started with a single trader on the floor of Amsterdam’s European Stock Exchange. Since our 1986 founding, Optiver’s Amsterdam office has grown into one of the most dynamic and exciting trading floors in Europe. Our culture reflects the Dutch capital city’s progressive, innovative and inclusive nature. With its unique spirit, Amsterdam is the ideal hub for our teams to trade a wide range of products from listed derivatives to cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign exchange. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Optiver's trading floor in Amsterdam is renowned as one of the most dynamic and exciting in Europe. As an Institutional Trader, you will be at the forefront of the market, making important decisions based on your intuition, analysis, and market insights that you will have extracted from relevant sources. You will be instrumental in executing our large-order trading strategies and negotiating the best possible prices with speed. This is a fast-moving industry and role; we expect our Institutional Traders to bring high energy and determination to the desk.

You will also serve as a link to our external trading partners in the inter-dealer broker (IDB) market, continuously deepening these critical relationships. Given the importance of maintaining strong relationships with brokers, you can expect to travel throughout Europe & the US from time to time to meet with them and enhance your interactions. We seek individuals who can think long-term about relationships and are energised by opportunities to influence and negotiate.

This role involves many moving parts, and if you are naturally motivated by complexity, variety, and high-pressure environments, this position will enable you to become a successful and impactful member of Optiver's trading floor.

Role Expectations Cont.:

• Identify and capitalise on market opportunities both independently and within the trading team;
• Make split-second trading decisions that can instantly impact profitability;
• Constantly aiming to identify new product/market opportunities in order to diversify our strategies and maximise success;
• Improve execution and access to volume;
• Bring a “can do” attitude and high energy levels;
• Network internally in order to make the best informed decisions;
• Represent Optiver’s quotes and execute orders with many of the world’s largest trading desks via phone, IM, and Bloomberg;
• Negotiate prices with the Brokers and other relevant parties;
• Help improve our systems and tools in order to capture data in the most effective way;
• Understand and apply knowledge of the exchanges’ rules & regulations and market structures in which we engage;
• Ability to continuously self-reflect and want to improve.

WHO YOU ARE:

• You have a high EQ and superior interpersonal skills, along with the ability to positively influence outcomes
• You possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; we want people who can deal with nuance and read between the lines especially when dealing with Brokers. English fluency is a must
• A graduate or professional with up to 3 years of working experience (we are also open to more senior profiles) preferably with a degree in Mathematics, Engineering, Econometrics, Finance, Physics or equivalent (STEM)
• Growth mindset being able to admit mistakes, accept feedback and use this to better yourself
• You have the ability to work well under pressure / are resilient
• You have an entrepreneurial mindset
• You are detailed oriented
• You are competitive by nature
• You can deal with sudden change and therefore be flexible and adapt
• You thrive making fast decisions and handling a high volume of trades – often simultaneously 

WHAT YOU'LL GET:

• The chance to further your career working alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries.
• Our performance based bonus structure is unmatched anywhere in the industry. We combine our profits across desks, teams and offices into a global profit pool fostering a truly collaborative environment to work in.
• Healthy work-life balance; we believe in efficiency and autonomy and do not glorify unhealthy working hours

Alongside this you will get great secondary benefits such as 25 paid vacation days, fully paid first-class commuting expenses, training opportunities, discounts on health insurance, breakfast, lunch and facilities, sports and leisure activities, Friday afternoon drinks and even weekly in-house chair massages. Being highly international, we are accustomed to guiding expats through their relocation, offering competitive relocation packages and providing visa sponsorship where necessary.

Based in Amsterdam.

HOW TO APPLY:

Are you interested in furthering your career on one of the most dynamic and exciting trading floors in Europe?

Apply directly via the form below for the position of Institutional Trader. When we think there is a potential match, you will hear from us sooner than you expect. If you have any questions feel free to contact our Recruiter Sophia de Rosnay via [email protected]. Please note, we cannot accept applications via email for data protection reasons.

Kindly note that we do not require any assistance from third-parties including agencies in the recruitment of this role.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

As an intentionally flat organisation, we believe that great ideas and impact can come from everyone. We are passionate about empowering individuals and creating diverse teams that thrive. Every person at Optiver should feel included, valued and respected, because we believe our best work is done together.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is hardwired through every stage of our hiring process. We encourage applications from candidates from any and all backgrounds, and we welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process to ensure that you can best demonstrate your abilities.

More information on how Optiver Europe processes your personal data can be found in our Privacy Policy.