Trading Risk Analyst

As a Trading Risk Analyst at Optiver, you’ll be responsible for monitoring our ever-changing trading activity across all desks and products. We’re looking for analytical, quantitative and curious individuals who enjoy working with numbers and are interested in following financial markets.

This position offers variety in both daily work and longer-term projects, focusing on internal market and credit risk metrics, regulatory capital and clearing requirements. You will be given meaningful responsibilities early on, such as deciding on the size of our positions, and expected to consistently contribute to improvements in our risk frameworks. Working on the Amsterdam trading floor, you will be at the forefront of the market, liaising with traders on new business initiatives and helping make decisions that will have direct impact on Optiver’s P&L.

What you’ll do:

You will start with a 3-month comprehensive training program focusing on the fundamentals of trading: theory, markets, strategies and cutting-edge technology. You’ll then put your knowledge into practice by contributing to projects focused on market/credit risk or capital topics, meaning you will be delivering business impact right from the start.

On the Market Risk side, you will be actively involved in helping design and maintain risk frameworks, looking at how our positions fit into them and the prevailing market environment. This includes working to improve our internal risk modelling.

On the Capital side, you will focus on the drivers of Optiver’s regulatory, clearing and margin requirements. You will dive into models designed by regulators, clearers and exchanges to break down what positions drive Optiver’s requirements. You will design and implement metrics to get clear insights into contributions from trading desks to the different requirements, and how requirements could best be managed when needed.

On the Credit Risk side, you will be responsible for onboarding and reviewing our fast growing number of trading counterparties. You will develop risk frameworks and set limits in close alignment with Trading and other departments.

• Assisting in the enhancement of risk processes by identifying and evaluating business critical exposures
• Actively contributing to the continuous improvement of our risk frameworks
• Assessing the risk of new trading initiatives and the expansion of current trading strategies
• Monitoring regulatory, clearing and margin requirements and anticipating how they will change based on Optiver’s fast changing positions
• Designing and implementing capital allocation and contribution models
• Following financial markets linking it to current positions and market/credit risk exposures
• Help improve our systems and tools in order to capture data in the most effective way
• Ability to continuously self-reflect and want to improve.

Who you are:

• A graduate or professional with up to 4 years of working experience preferably with a degree in Mathematics, Engineering, Econometrics, Finance, Physics or equivalent (STEM)
• You have a keen interest in financial markets
• You have a strong set of analytical and problem-solving skills
• You have a growth mindset being able to admit mistakes, accept feedback and use this to better yourself
• A strong affinity for technology and data handling. Python experience ideally
• You have the ability to work well under pressure / are resilient
• You are detailed oriented
• You can deal with sudden change and therefore be flexible and adapt.

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 70+ 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.

What you’ll get:

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle the toughest problems in the financial markets.

In addition, you’ll receive:

• A performance-based bonus structure unmatched anywhere in the industry. We combine our profits across desks, teams and offices into a global profit pool.
• The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries.
• 25 paid vacation days and fully paid first-class commuting expenses.
• Training opportunities and discounts on health insurance.
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast and lunch, world-class barista coffee, sports and leisure activities, Friday afternoon drinks, and weekly in-house chair massages.
• Competitive relocation packages and visa sponsorship where necessary for expats.

How to apply:

Apply directly via the form below. If you have any questions feel free to contact our Recruitment team via [email protected]. Please note, we cannot accept applications via email for data protection reasons. Kindly note that we do not require assistance from third-parties including agencies in the recruitment of this role.

Diversity statement:

Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion.