Junior Fixed Income Trader

About Calamos

Calamos is a diversified, global asset and wealth management firm offering a wide range of innovative investment strategies. As one of the top liquid alternative asset managers in the world, Calamos maintains dedicated investment teams across all asset classes, with global research capabilities and access to specialized private and public markets. Calamos offers investment strategies and personal wealth management solutions through separately managed portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, private funds, and UCITS funds. Clients include major corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations, and individuals, as well as the financial advisors and consultants who serve them. Headquartered in the Chicago metropolitan area (with offices in both Naperville and Fulton Market in Chicago), the firm also maintains offices in New York, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Portland, and the Miami area.

Summary of the Role

The Junior Fixed Income Trader is responsible for minimizing trading costs and maximizing execution to enhance client performance. This role supports fixed income trading operations within a collaborative team of experienced investment professionals, with a focus on best execution in a fast paced trading environment. Additional responsibilities include disseminating market color, managing corporate actions and contributing to market research and commentary.

Primary Responsibilities

• Execute trades in corporate bonds, bank loans, municipal bonds, securitized products, US government securities, and preferreds while ensuring compliance with best execution and portfolio guidelines

• Maintain and expand relationships with brokers and serve as liaison to the dealer community to facilitate trade execution

• Utilize electronic trading venues (MarketAxess, Trumid, Tradeweb, Liquidnet, Bloomberg, etc) to facilitate best execution

• Disseminate relevant market information to portfolio managers and analysts

• Respond promptly to corporate actions (bond tenders, exchanges, calls, documentation changes)

• Conduct fixed income market research focusing on relative value analysis, sector and industry trends, and contribute to trade idea generation

• Monitor open positions, track market movements and economic indicators, maintain accurate trade documentation, and monitor new issue markets

• Help draft market commentaries on weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis and prepare charts/analyses for client presentations

• Work directly with portfolio managers and analysts to understand client needs and assist in trading oversight of separately managed accounts

• Identify opportunities to streamline trading workflows, enhance analytical reporting tools, and serve as representative to committees as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• 2-4 years experience in fixed income markets, credit analysis, trading, or related investment management roles with corporate bond trading/research experience strongly preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or related field (CFA designation or progress toward CFA is a plus)

• Series 7 and Series 63 licenses preferred (or ability to obtain within specified timeframe)

• Strong understanding of fixed income products and pricing mechanics, excellent quantitative and analytical skills with attention to detail, proven ability to work effectively under pressure in fast-paced environments, strong written/verbal communication skills for market commentary and client materials, demonstrated proficiency in fixed income market and economic research, knowledge of securities markets and forces that drive these markets

• Bloomberg Terminal (advanced proficiency), Microsoft Excel (highly advanced including macros and financial modeling), Microsoft Office Suite, trading system software skills required

• Experience with Charles River OMS or similar OMS. Additionally, experience with Python or similar coding languages for automation skill preferred

• Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship

• Strong ethical standards and commitment to fiduciary responsibility

• Ability to work well in team environment and serve as representative to committees as needed

Compensation Disclosure

 The compensation for this role takes into account various factors, including work location, individual skill set, relevant experience, and other business needs. The estimated base salary range for this position is $85,000 - $110,000. Additionally, this position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Please note that this is the current estimate of the base salary range intended for this role at the time of posting. The base salary range may be adjusted in the future.

Benefits

Calamos offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and employer-paid short and long-term disability), as well as retirement benefits (401(k) and profit sharing), paid time off, paid parental leave, and other wellness benefits.

Salary : $85,000 - $110,000