At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop cutting-edge algorithmic trading systems for real-time market execution.
- Company: Join Citi's innovative Electronic Execution & Algo Trading Quant team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on responsible finance and ethical practices.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact in live markets with your code and strategies.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in algo quant roles; strong programming skills in Java or C++ required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
Citi's Electronic Execution & Algo Trading Quant team is seeking an experienced execution strategist to research, design, develop, and maintain the algorithmic trading systems that define Citi's execution product. You will be at the heart of a world-class electronic trading franchise, building the next generation of execution strategies, owning the full lifecycle from idea generation and research through implementation and testing to production deployment and continuous improvement.
If you are the kind of person who wants to see your code running in live markets, your signals driving real execution decisions, and your models measurably improving outcomes for clients and the firm, this role was built for you.
Responsibilities- Execution Algorithm Design & Development
- Design, implement, and maintain production execution algorithms from scheduling models to adaptive allocation strategies driven by real-time signals and analytics.
- Build and enhance and optimize venue selection, queue priority modelling, and dark/lit routing across fragmented equity markets.
- Develop and improve execution models that account for market impact, timing risk, and other key cost drivers.
- Leverage AI and machine learning tools across the development lifecycle, from accelerating research and prototyping to enhancing model validation, code review, and continuous performance monitoring in production.
- Develop and maintain client-specific algorithm customizations, respond to BAU and analytics requests, and lead investigations into order behaviour and execution performance queries raised by clients or internal stakeholders.
- Quantitative Research & Signal Development
- Understand and study equity market microstructure: order book dynamics, venue behaviour, queue mechanics, adverse selection, and execution impact.
- Build and back-test models on tick-level and order-level data; translate findings into production components with measurable performance improvements.
- Model internal and external liquidity sources to optimize algo interaction across the full liquidity landscape.
- Production Engineering & Delivery
- Write clean, efficient, production-quality code where latency, correctness, and resilience are non-negotiable.
- Own the full development lifecycle: design, testing, deployment, monitoring, and iteration based on live performance data.
- Build analytics and reporting tools to measure execution quality, identify performance gaps, and surface improvement opportunities.
- Contribute to platform architecture and scalability as volumes, markets, and complexity grow.
- Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with traders, electronic trading specialists, and technology teams to refine models and influence execution strategy in real time.
- Collaborate with Sales and Client Coverage to translate client execution needs into algorithmic enhancements and bespoke solutions.
- Work in close partnership with control functions such as Legal, Compliance, Market and Credit Risk, Audit, Finance to ensure appropriate governance and control infrastructure.
- Culture, Risk & Compliance
- Build a culture of responsible finance, good governance and supervision, expense discipline and ethics.
- Be familiar with and adhere to Citi's Code of Conduct and the Plan of Supervision for Global Markets and Securities Services; and ensure that all team members understand the need to do the same.
- Adhere to all policies and procedures as defined by your role which will be communicated to you.
- Obtain and maintain all registrations/licenses which are required for your role, within the appropriate timeframe.
- Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behaviour, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency.
- 10+ years of experience in a comparable Algo Quant, Quantitative Developer or Strategist role, ideally in Cash Equities or FX but candidates with analogous experience in other areas are considered too.
- Strong technical and programming skills are essential, with proficiency in low latency and resilient Java or C++ required. Proficiency in Python and/or KDB+/q for tick data analytics and real-time signal computation is highly desirable. Exposure to market data and derived statistics and analytics is a plus.
- Proven experience in software architecture design and engineering principles, with a demonstrable track record of building systems where low latency and high throughput are crucial. Candidates should be comfortable designing and reasoning about distributed architectures, lock-free concurrency, memory management, and the trade-offs inherent in real-time trading infrastructure.
- Strong grounding in probability and statistics for quantitative inference, combined with a solid understanding of equity market microstructure, including the mechanics of limit order books, queue dynamics and priority, venue fragmentation across lit and dark pools, adverse selection, and market impact cost modelling.
- Master's or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Finance, Mathematics, or a related field is preferred. Strong candidates with a Bachelor's degree and relevant experience are also welcome to apply.
Director, Algorithmic Execution & Quant Strategies in London employer: Citibank (Switzerland) AG
Citi is an exceptional employer for those seeking to make a significant impact in the world of algorithmic trading. With a hybrid work model based in London, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that fosters innovation and continuous learning, alongside opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic environment. The company prioritises responsible finance and ethics, ensuring that team members are equipped with the tools and support needed to excel in their roles while contributing to cutting-edge execution strategies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Algorithmic Execution & Quant Strategies in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with alumni. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to algorithmic trading or quantitative strategies. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. We want to see how you think!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Algorithmic Execution & Quant Strategies in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director, Algorithmic Execution & Quant Strategies. Highlight your experience in algorithm design and quantitative research, and don’t forget to showcase your programming skills in Java or C++!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about algorithmic trading and how your background aligns with our needs. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires strong technical skills, make sure to include relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate your proficiency in low latency systems and your understanding of market microstructure. We want to see what you can bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Citibank (Switzerland) AG
✨Know Your Algorithms
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of algorithmic trading systems. Be prepared to discuss specific algorithms you've designed or worked with, and how they improved execution strategies. This will show your depth of understanding and experience in the field.
✨Showcase Your Coding Skills
Since strong programming skills are essential for this role, be ready to demonstrate your proficiency in Java or C++. You might even be asked to solve a coding problem during the interview, so practice writing clean, efficient code under time constraints.
✨Understand Market Microstructure
Familiarise yourself with equity market microstructure concepts like order book dynamics and queue mechanics. Being able to discuss these topics intelligently will highlight your expertise and ability to contribute to the team’s goals.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
This role involves working closely with traders and technology teams, so expect questions about your collaboration style. Think of examples where you've successfully partnered with others to refine models or enhance execution strategies, and be ready to share those stories.
