Cross functional and vertical insight of the business of hedge funds
Overview
Options Financial Recruitment has an established track record of managing the recruitment for the full spectrum of roles within the Alternative Investment Market. By focusing exclusively on hedge funds, we have developed a wealth of experience in the total operations of hedge funds as a business; an insight on how all the roles integrate in order to create a fund that performs.
The diversity of roles consistently filled over years provides Options Financial Recruitment with a detailed understanding of the roles, the requirements of the roles and attributes, skills and experience necessary to seamlessly integrate a candidate for a given role within a fund. This facilitates the recruitment process for all significant roles in the fund
Trading
Options Financial Recruitment focus on a range of criteria in the recruitment of Traders. Foremost, we identify those with a proven performance record. Additionally, we seek those with the academic background that adds depth to the candidates applicability and performance. We have placed Traders across a diverse range of strategies including: Quantitative Traders, Long / Short & Long Only Traders, Market Neutral Trading Strategists, Equity & Fixed Income Trading Strategists, Systematic Traders, Discretionary Traders, Execution Traders.
The key to accessing strong candidates is being present in the market by face to face engagement at major hedge fund events. Knowledge of performance records and academic background are clearly important criteria, however successful traders have an X factor that can be quickly identified by those who have worked with these high calibre individuals.
Quantitative Research
This a specialist area that requires a thorough understanding of the various types of quantitative research. Options Financial Recruitment has placed candidates in the following areas:
- Derivatives Research & Modeling
- Quantitative Risk Management
- Quantitative Equity Research Fixed Income & Modeling
- MBS/ABS Research; Prepayment & Default Modeling
- Quantitative Portfolio Management, Investment Analytics
- Analytical Trading Quants
- FX & Commodities Quants
- Quantitative Systematic Model Development
Risk Management
Risk Management is increasingly becoming top of the agenda for Hedge Funds. Around 85% of Hedge Funds now have a dedicated Chief Risk Officer which has ultimately led to additional junior and senior hires covering all aspects of Market, Credit, Operational and Quantitative Risk. This demand has primarily been down to the increasing risk assessment from investors in addition to the rising regulations set by the FSA. We anticipate this area to be just as active moving into 2009.
Operations
Operations has been one of our busiest markets with job requirements reaching an all time high. Organisations are focusing on building strong teams with a particular demand for OTC/Equity/Credit derivatives candidates. Much of this has been in relation to the operations area continuing to evolve with more complex products being traded. Opportunities covering a broad range of responsibilities from Trade Capture, Confirmations, Cash / Stock Reconciliation, Settlements, liasing with Prime Brokers, Fund Administration, Valuations, PnL, Corporate Actions, Stock Lending, Treasury, Static Data.
IT / Technology
Options Financial Recruitment has recognised that the demand for experienced technologists has reached an all time high across the hedge fund and finance sector. Typically the larger the Hedge Fund the more reliant they are on IT, resulting in further investment in bespoke and heavily tailored packaged solutions. Options has a track record of placing candidates in the following areas of technology – Chief Technology Officer, Development/Infrastructure Manager, Project Manager, Business Analyst, Technical Architect, Analyst Programmer/Developer, System Administrator, Database Administrator, Application Support, Network Engineer, Desktop Support Engineer.
Finance
The demand for accountancy professionals has reached an all time high across the financial sector. As a result Options Financial Recruitment is continually looking to source part/new/fully qualified accountants to fulfil a number of positions for leading Hedge Funds. Options has a track record of placing candidates in the following areas of finance – Chief Financial Officer, Finance Director, Head of Product Control, Product Controller, Fund Accountant, Auditor, Management Accountant, Assistant Accountant, Purchase / Sales Ledger and Payroll.
Sales and Marketing
Sales & Marketing covers a broad remit of responsibility within an alternative investment client. Traditionally senior roles will work alongside the founding principals requiring a demonstrated track record of global asset raising across institutional, pension funds, private wealth and fund of funds. For Intermediate and Junior roles responsibilities will also include research and identification of new clients, client presentations, client on boarding, relationship management, RFP’s, newsletters and investor reporting. Candidates are likely to have a well groomed academic background supported by an excellent client focus.
With Assets under Management playing such a pivotal role in the success of a Hedge Fund, Sales and Marketing personnel continue to be high on the list of importance and remain very much in demand across the industry.