Head of Trading Platforms

Our client is a trading firm with over 30 years of experience, using advanced technology and skilled people to work in markets around the world. They're based in Chicago, but have offices across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. They trade in various asset types, such as Fixed Income, Equities, ETFs, Commodities, andFX.

Core Responsibilities:

• Manage the technology infrastructure for the key electronic trading platform that also acts as a foundational technology/software solution to a range of trading teams
• Lead the selection and optimal use of hardware (server devices, network devices, etc.)
• Lead or assist with advanced troubleshooting, covering network, system, and application levels
• Carry out technology planning and continuous performance optimization activities
• Work with the Compliance technology team to maintain a database of all exchange order sessions for compliance purposes and trading team attributions
• Coordinate with shared infrastructure/services teams for the implementation of optimizations or new projects, including expanding to new colocation sites/exchanges or broadening activities with existing ones
• Assist with technology resource management to ensure optimal use of hardware and space and power at global colocation sites
• Manage cost allocations of exchange and technology infrastructure to different global trading teams
• Ensure smooth operation of global trading systems and software platforms 23x5.5
• Oversee production implementations and trading system support for the software platform supporting company-wide trading systems

Required Business Skills:

• Previous experience with electronic trading of equities, futures, options, fixed income, FX or a combination thereof
• Experience with exchange co-location, exchange connectivity, and communication with technical and business staff from exchanges
• Knowledge or familiarity with various global compliance/regulatory requirements
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to compile cost/benefit studies for different technology projects under consideration
• Proven ability to collaborate with, and coordinate activities with, internal and external technologists covering various technical disciplines
• Maintain existing relationships with key technical and business counterparts at exchanges and Prime Brokers/FCM's

Preferred Technical Skills:

• Experience with CI/CD and process deployment/automation
• Familiarity with connectivity methods and optimizations for various global electronic exchanges
• Understanding of networking and communication protocols for use within a site (LAN) and across long-haul links (WAN)
• Experience with server and network device selection and trade-offs
• Knowledge of inter-site wireless communication technologies and methods
• Practical technical skills, including but not limited to, things like the ability to analyze network packet captures, comfort with Linux command-line tools, ability to analyze system/application log files, database skill for ad-hoc queries. Python and/or shell scripting skills would be a significant advantage.