Institutional Trader

As an Institutional Trader at Optiver you will be instrumental in the decision making and execution of our large‑order trading strategies through the management of our relationships with brokers and direct counterparties.

We’re looking for a unique blend of communication skills and quantitative ability. The daily interactions you’ll have with our external partners will provide vital market insights; when these are combined with your analytical skills, intuition and close collaboration with our Screen Traders, you’ll be well placed to negotiate the best possible prices at speed. For many of the products we trade, this approach allows us to continuously operate at the forefront of the market.

• Identify and capitalize on market opportunities, both independently and within the trading team;
• Make split‑second trading decisions that can instantly impact profitability;
• Constantly aim to identify new product/market opportunities to diversify our strategies and maximise success;
• Improve execution and access to volume;
• Network internally with other Institutional Traders and Screen Traders to ensure you’re acting on well‑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 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.

• High EQ and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to positively influence outcomes;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; English fluency is a requirement;
• 2‑5 years of professional working experience; previous experience in a similar seat may be beneficial but there’s also a lot of raw skills that can be learnt from other fields and applied to this type of dynamic role;
• Minimum of a BSc in a quantitative or technical field;
• Ability to work well under pressure, thriving when making fast decisions and handling a high volume of trades, often simultaneously;
• Entrepreneurial mindset;
• Detail oriented;
• Competitive by nature.

At Optiver, 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 continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe.

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 50 different countries.
• 25 paid vacation days in your first year, increasing to 30 from your second year onwards.
• Training opportunities, discounts on health insurance, and fully paid first‑class commuting expenses.
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, world‑class barista coffee, in‑house physio and chair massages, organised sports and leisure activities, and Friday afternoon drinks.
• Training and continuous learning opportunities, including access to conferences and tech events.
• Competitive relocation packages and visa sponsorship where necessary for expats.