Financial Engineering Positions - Boston, MA
Head of Financial Engineering - Boston, MA (30613)
Description and Role:
The Head of Financial Engineering is responsible for managing and directing all aspects of the company’s financial engineering and research. This person will play a vital role in establishing and extending the company’s global thought leadership with respect to risk management, portfolio construction and performance attribution.
This person will be actively involved in global market development and business development by serving as a quantitative, product and industry expert through published white papers and public speaking engagements.
In addition, this person will oversee a team of financial engineers that actively support sales, client service and implementation teams. The role also serves as a key member to define and direct the company’s global product strategy with respect to risk management and performance attribution. As such, this person will work closely with Product Management and Development.
Some travel is expected.
Specific Responsibilities:
The Head of Financial Engineering is personally responsible for serving as the company’s global quantitative expert, publishing white papers and applied research, speaking at industry and company sponsored events, and serving as liaison with the company’s quantitative strategic partners.
In addition, the Head of Financial Engineering will direct a team of financial engineers with responsibility for:
- Conducting applied research with our products to demonstrate key benefits and advantages.
- Directly participating in sales presentations to Chief Investment Officers, Heads of Risk Management, Heads of Quantitative Analysis and research units, and Portfolio Managers.
- Directing financial modeling development including specification and prototyping; evaluation and selection of financial modeling methodologies; review, selection, negotiation and implementation of third party financial modeling software, as appropriate.
- Producing functional designs and specifications for both internal research and development projects and for client and advanced user group sponsored projects
- Providing quantitative client support, and performing periodic fee-based consulting.
- Supporting Professional Services implementation consultants on quantitative subject matter and quantitative aspects of the company’s software applications.
- Cross-training select company staff from global locations as a means of staff development.
Requisite Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate will have:
- Masters in quantitative discipline (mathematics, physics, statistics, economics, finance, financial engineering).
- 7 to 10+ plus years of financial engineering and financial industry experience.
- In-depth knowledge of a wide range of financial instruments (equity, fixed income, derivatives, credit derivatives, FX) particularly with respect to pricing, modeling, trading and market conventions, sensitivities, and risk characteristics.
- Strong knowledge of credit risk modeling, and default probability and correlation estimation techniques.
- Strong technical knowledge and experience including the ability to code in MATLAB, SPlus, C and C++, along with strong SQL skills.
- Risk management experience including factor models, Monte Carlo simulation, hedging, VaR.
- Ability to perform value-added research and to direct staff in their research efforts.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Excellent credentials, and the ability to command respect and establish a high degree of credibility to a diverse audience of sophisticated, quantitatively oriented clients and prospects.
The following are preferred:
- PhD in quantitative discipline.
- Track record of published research and speaking.
- Trading and/or portfolio management experience.
- Experience with portfolio construction and optimization.
- Hedge fund and/or alternatives strategies portfolio or risk management experience.
Salary Range is commensurate with experience but expected to be between 170-200K annual salary plus bonus and incentives.
Contact:
Keith Stockton (keith@kastockton.com)
www.kastockton.com
KA Stockton & Company/Financial Information Search
PO Box 588 - 104 Millbrook Road
Broadway, New Jersey 08808-0588
Senior Financial Engineer - Boston, MA (4061)
Description and Role:
Working directly for Head of Financial Engineering, this person will contribute to establishing and extending global thought leadership with respect to risk management, portfolio construction and performance attribution. The Senior Financial Engineer will work closely with clients to create and develop specifications or new analytic techniques and functionality.
The Senior Financial Engineer also has primary responsibility for managing and coordinating the implementation of all new pricing and analytic models. This aspect of the job includes specification development, prototyping, and close coordination with our development team in Melbourne, Australia, as well as clients and Professional Services consultants. The role includes methodology selection and theoretical justification, balanced against pragmatic trade-offs such as operational issues, computational speed and the quality, availability and timeliness of data required to utilize various models.
As needed, the Senior Financial Engineer will also conduct and/or participate in applied research and publication of white papers, participate in modeling portfolios for prospects, and presenting and explaining pricing and other analytics to prospects and clients.
Some travel may be required.
Specific Responsibilities:
The Senior Financial Engineer’s responsibilities include:
- Specification development for new pricing models and other analytic functionality from both client directed projects.
- Providing quantitative client support, and performing periodic fee-based consulting, as requested by clients.
- Conducting applied research with our products to demonstrate key benefits and advantages.
- Directly assisting our Pre-sales team in modeling and analyzing prospect portfolios.
- Participating as needed in presentations to prospects and clients to explain pricing, analytic approaches, and the results.
- Supporting Professional Services implementation consultants on quantitative subject matter and quantitative aspects of software.
- Cross-training select staff from global locations as a means of staff development.
Requisite Skills and Experience:
- Masters in quantitative discipline (mathematics, statistics, financial engineering, physics).
- 3 to 5 plus years of financial engineering experience or experience in/or supporting trading units.
- In-depth knowledge of instruments (equity, fixed income, derivatives, credit derivatives, FX) pricing, modeling, trading and risk.
- Strong technical knowledge and experience including the ability to code in MATLAB, SPlus, C and C++, along with strong SQL skills.
- Experience developing or supporting risk management capabilities including factor models, Monte Carlo simulation & hedging tools.
- Ability to perform value-added research and publish.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
The following will be favorably considered:
- PhD in quantitative discipline.
- Strong knowledge of credit risk modeling, and default probability and correlation estimation techniques.
- Experience with portfolio measurement, portfolio construction and optimization.
- Trading and/or portfolio management experience.
Compensation:
Commensurate with experience and not to exceed a salary of $140,000 plus bonus
Contact:
Keith Stockton (keith@kastockton.com)
www.kastockton.com
KA Stockton & Company/Financial Information Search
PO Box 588 - 104 Millbrook Road
Broadway, New Jersey 08808-0588
Head of Quantitative Product Management based in San Francisco
| Position | Head of Quantitative Product Management, Knowledge Management |
| Company | Global Asset Management Firm |
| Reports to | Global Head of Market Data |
| Location | San Francisco, CA |
Position Summary
The Knowledge Management Product Team seeks a Manager for the Quantitative Product Manager function. The role leads a team that acts as a liaison between Research and Knowledge Management with particular emphasis on liaison with the IT Development team. The ideal candidate will have a background in financial engineering and programming languages as well as proven capabilities to manage complex requirements and to facilitate communication with a wide variety of stakeholders.
Responsibilities
The Head of Quantitative Product Management will:
- Lead Knowledge Management IT team to setup data feeds, data model and derived data.
- Design validation and transformation rules and mapping, manage exceptions and errors and the future needs for data and analytics in order to support investment strategy.
- Design and lead IT team to implement data models and data objects used in Firm’s applications and analytics.
- Interact with Research, Knowledge Management Product Managers, IT and Operations to provide knowledge and integrity of financial information to support investment strategies.
- Work directly with market data vendors to set-up and implement new data feeds or data models.
Experience & Education
- Minimum 10 years of relevant industry expertise, with 2-5 years experience working with analytics and financial models.
- Experience working with equity derivatives and equity data.
- Experience in re-engineering platforms.
- Knowledge and experience with the quantitative investment process of asset managers.
- Excellent analytic and problem solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver solutions.
- The ability to recruit, train, retain and develop a team is essential.
- Strong initiative and a thirst for knowledge.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Master in Financial Engineering or PhD in a mathematical discipline is highly desirable.
The Head of Quantitative Product Management position will regularly interface with Researchers, Knowledge Management IT Developers, and Knowledge Management Product Managers. This role will also interface with market data vendors in conjunction with the product managers.
Technical Skills
Requires background in programming languages, such as:
Knowledge of programming languages will facilitate interactions with the IT team, but this role will not involve any development.
Key Competencies
- Technical Knowledge – programming languages; financial & data modeling; equity domain expertise
- Ability to Execute
- Creativity
- Initiative
- Problem Solving
- Ownership & Accountability
Contact
Stephanie Baglio
Director of Recruiting
Risk Talent Associates
sbaglio@risktalent.com
212.253.2353
Head of Quantitative Equity Research based in NYC
Folks: This is a new position posting passed along by Mike E. If interested, please contact the recruiter directly; contact details below.
Our client, a global investment management firm, is seeking a talented,
innovative, senior quantitative professional with experience in a variety of
equity strategies to lead the quantitative equity research team and play a
senior role in the growth of the firm. The successful candidate will have
substantial experience in conducting statistical analyses of investments,
and determining tools, strategies and theories for adding Alpha to the
various strategies. This individual will set the research agenda and will
provide leadership of three analysts in a team-oriented environment. The
entire team is measured entirely on Alpha generation. The team works side
by side with portfolio managers, responsible for risk control and execution,
and a technology group, responsible for maintaining databases and writing
code. The position will report directly to the Global Head of Quantitative
Strategies and is based in New York City.
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
-
A Masters Degree or above in Math, Finance, Economics, or related field
(Quantitative Finance preferred). A CFA designation is preferred.
-
Strong verbal, written, analytical, and interpersonal communications
skills. Experience in making presentations.
-
Strong leadership skills, ideally with prior experience in leading a
group.
-
Seven to ten years experience in investment management, preferably with
an emphasis on quantitative management strategies. An understanding of a
wide variety of equity styles is preferred.
-
An innovative and proactive attitude towards and ability in generating
Alpha
-
Grounding in quantitative methods of performance measurement and an
understanding of both the theories and practical application of risk return
estimation, portfolio optimization and the attribution of risk and return.
-
Proficiency with data analysis/statistics tools, high level programming
(VB, C++, SQL), experience with Factset, Bloomberg API and/or other
investment analytical tools.
Compensation will consist of a base, bonus, and an equity incentive program.
Total compensation will be dependant on the qualifications of the successful
candidate but is likely to range in the mid to high six-figures.
Gabrielle Parish
President
GF Parish Group
11566 Cedar Pass
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Ph +1 (952) 541-0613
fax +1 (952) 542-9425
gabrielle@gfparishgroup.com
Experienced Equity Quant Positions in London
Folks,
Keiko passed along a query from a London-based recruiter conducting a search for
experienced Equity Quant positions at State Street Global Advisors and JP Morgan
Asset Management in London. 5+ years of relevant experience would be preferable.
Contact Information:
Michael Doherty
The Emerald Group
Main #: +44 (01256) 844088
Fax: +44 (01256) 844033
International Equity Positions at Mellon Equity Associates
Folks,
Don has posted two new positions working with him at Mellon Equity Associates.
The positions are going to be a part of the new International Equity team at
Mellon Equity Associates. The team is going to build and invest an Institutional
EAFE product over the next nine months or so.
International Quantitative Portfolio Manager
Overview
Mellon Equity Associates is one of the most experienced quantitative investment management firms in the United States. We have been employing quantitative techniques to build portfolios for more than 22 years. As part of Mellon Asset Management, the Mellon Equity team manages over $20 billion in domestic equity and balanced investments through pension, mutual fund and sub-advisory channels. The firm's structured products span all capitalizations and styles, including traditional long equity, enhanced index, long/short, tactical asset allocation, and passive equity. The Mellon Equity team relies heavily upon quantitative tools and techniques to apply a disciplined approach of stock selection and portfolio management. Quantitative modeling applied to equity valuation and portfolio construction is the team's core competency.
The International Quantitative Portfolio Manager will report to the Chief Investment Officer. A successful candidate for this position will join the International product team, working to establish and run a quantitative international equity investment process.
Principal responsibilities of the International Quantitative Portfolio Manager:
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing international portfolios utilizing Mellon Equity's quantitative investment management approach.
He or she will be responsible for client contact and regular client presentations, and will participate in new business presentations.
Initially the responsibility will be focused on managing a seed capital portfolio and working with the international team to refine, test and market quantitatively based portfolio construction strategies.
The portfolio manager will be critical in formulating and implementing potential portfolio construction strategies and will participate in process design.
Competencies for Success:
Analytical, critical and creative thinking skills coupled with intellectual curiosity.
The candidate must have proven skills working in a collaborative team.
The candidate will have the desire and ability to participate in a quantitative research environment as an idea generator and critical voice.
The candidate should be experienced in quantitative techniques.
Familiarity with portfolio analytical tools such as Porches and Perfat / Perfans. A working understanding of and previous experience with global risk models and various forms of optimization is important.
The candidate will have excellent communication skills paired with the ability to work well with colleagues of all levels in a small horizontal organization.
Education and Work Experience
International portfolio management experience is preferred. Portfolio management experience and knowledge of global financial markets is required.
The qualified candidate will have at least an MBA or advanced degree in a quantitative field, preferably a CFA, plus at least 3-5 years of increasingly responsible experience.
He or she should also have successful experience participating in sales of new services to major clients.
Contact: John P. Hasenauer at Orion Adisors : (203) 531-2952 or jph@orionadvisor.net
International Quantitative Research Analyst
Overview
Mellon Equity Associates is one of the most experienced quantitative investment management firms in the United States. We have been employing quantitative techniques to build portfolios for more than 22 years. As part of Mellon Asset Management, the Mellon Equity team manages over $20 billion in domestic equity and balanced investments through pension, mutual fund and sub-advisory channels. The firm's structured products span all capitalizations and styles, including traditional long equity, enhanced index, long/short, tactical asset allocation, and passive equity. The Mellon Equity team relies heavily upon quantitative tools and techniques to apply a disciplined approach of stock selection and portfolio management. Quantitative modeling applied to equity valuation and portfolio construction is the team's core competency.
A successful candidate for this position will join the International product team, working to establish and run a quantitative international equity investment process.
Principal responsibilities of the International Quantitative Research Analyst:
Take a hand's on role in the statistical research efforts designed to extend Mellon Equity's stock selection and portfolio construction processes into the international arena.
Suggest the best research projects to quickly develop models and investment processes that will add value in international stock selection.
Be responsible for the acquisition, maintenance and enhancement of proprietary databases that are critical to the international team's research efforts.
Serve as the key liaison with external software and data vendors used in the firm's international modeling efforts.
Assist the portfolio managers and other research analysts with special requests.
Keep abreast and communicate current quantitative research ideas.
As experience with the Mellon Equity team grows, so too will the responsibilities and challenges.
Competencies for Success:
Analytical, critical and creative thinking skills coupled with intellectual curiosity.
Solid knowledge of financial and statistical theory and practice.
Strong technical skills with computer database and statistical packages, especially SAS.
Previous research experience using the relevant international equity databases.
Effective oral and written communication with internal and external investment professionals, as well as information technology professionals.
Good interpersonal skills and the ability to fit within the mosaic of the team.
Education and Work Experience
Masters degree in finance or applicable advanced degree, with a strong background in quantitative skills and techniques is preferred.
At least two years experience in asset management is required. A focus on international markets is preferred. The development of equity valuation models in the G7, developed, or emerging international markets is desired.
Record of research excellence such as demonstrated research results or outstanding track record.
Contact: John P. Hasenauer at Orion Adisors : (203) 531-2952 or jph@orionadvisor.net
Updated Career and Job Search Links
Folks,
I have updated the list of Career and Job Search Links to incorporate a combination
of my contacts and Brian Enyeart's contacts. Some do not have web sites. For these
get in touch with me or Brian to get contact information.
Cheers,
HDShea
Problems with Employment and Compensation Verification
Brian Enyeart passed along a note about using TheWorkNumber.com to verify employment
and compensation. For those of you who do not know or may not yet have read your
separation information, this is the means by which our previous employer has decided
to allow future employers to verify employment and compensation. That is, your future
employer cannot call HR and get these data validated. I agree with Brian's a priori
assumption that there was no possible way that this was going to go off without event.
I can also validate his empirical analysis showing that he was completely founded in
his a priori assumption.
To validate your data yourself, you have to jump through a few hoops ("the system is
not set up to allow you to view your own data") and it takes 45 minutes to an hour.
First, you have to get on the systems and go through the initial set up. This is
explained in your separation documents. Then you have to set up a validation key
just as if you were going to allow a future employer to verify your employment and
compensation. Then you have to call customer service at TheWorkNumber.com and tell
them what you want to do. They will ask for some identifying information and the
validation key.
My data were wrong in exactly the same manner that Brian's were -- indicating that the
problem is systematic and probably initiated with our previous employer. I am calling
HR right now to indicate this problem. Brian had already done so and indicates that "HR
thinks its related to the acquisition payroll system transition problems, and they are
looking at the problem."
You will probably want to double check your own data prior to having a future employer
verify your compensation.
Stamford CFA Society Career Tune-Up Seminars
For those of you in and around Stamford, the Stamford CFA Society is hosting a series of Career Tune-up seminars over the coming months. There are two scheduled on their
web site currently.
These are listed and linked below.
Quant International Equity Opportunities at Schwab
The email message below was forwarded by Dan B. The email was posted to a broad mailing list of CQA Members. If you are interested, you may want to follow up directly with the original author of the email or check with Dan for a possible introduction. (FYI: Area code 312 is downtown Chicago.)
To: members@cqa.org
Subject: [Members] Data sources for international equities
Hi all,
Schwab is considering building a quantitative stock selection model(s) for international equities later this year. Many of you have blazed this research trail long before me, so if you would be so kind, I'd like to tap into your experience and wisdom.
A few questions:
1) What data vendors do you prefer for financial statements, analyst forecasts, and stock prices & returns?
2) Are there any good vendors of stock selection models covering international equities?
3) What were some of the tough issues and "gotcha's" you ran into in your R&D efforts?
4) Do you know of any Quantitative Analysts with hands-on model building experience in international equities who might be interested in joining Schwab to help us in this development effort?
Thanks for your input, and Happy New Year!
Gregory J. Forsythe, CFA
Sr. Vice President
Director of Schwab Equity Ratings
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
312-931-1520
