Quantitative Trading & Research - Rates - Executive Director in London

Push the limits of what’s possible in front-office quantitative research, where your models can directly shape rates trading performance. You’ll partner closely with trading stakeholders to deliver data-driven insights, scalable solutions, and disciplined risk controls. This is a hands-on role combining research depth with practical implementation, focused on impact from idea to production. You’ll also lead and develop a local team, setting direction, raising standards, and mentoring junior talent.

Job summary

As an Executive Director in Rates Quantitative Trading and Research, you will lead front-office quantitative research that builds and evolves rates trading models with clear, measurable impact. You’ll work closely with trading partners to translate market opportunities into robust, production-ready solutions. You’ll balance innovation with disciplined financial risk controls and contribute to a strong risk culture. You will also manage and develop a local team, mentoring junior talent and setting a high bar for technical rigor and delivery.

Job responsibilities

• Develop pricing and risk models for the structured rates business to support product innovation and front-office decision-making.
• Partner with Rates and Fixed Income Financing trading desks to translate new product ideas into robust model design, implementation, and controls.
• Implement quantitative models and analytics in Python and/or C++, with a focus on performance, maintainability, and production readiness.
• Produce clear model development documentation and engage model risk management partners to support effective review and approval.
• Collaborate with technology partners to productionize, scale, and improve the reliability of quantitative solutions for the business.
• Automate trading workflows and model-driven processes to improve efficiency, controls, and scalability.
• Analyze market and trading data to generate insights and research that informs quantitative trading strategy.
• Lead and mentor a local team, setting direction and supporting the development of junior talent.
• Serve as the local point of contact for the EMEA business, coordinating priorities and delivery across stakeholders.

Required qualifications, capabilities and skills

• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative finance and applied mathematics, including areas such as stochastic calculus, numerical methods, time series analysis, and optimization.
• Strong programming capability in Python and/or C++, with evidence of delivering robust, maintainable research code.
• Strong domain knowledge of rates and interest rate derivatives, including pricing and risk concepts.
• Demonstrated experience developing quantitative models end-to-end, from research through implementation and testing.
• Experience producing clear model development documentation suitable for independent review.
• Experience partnering with model risk management / governance stakeholders to support model review and approval.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use large datasets to generate actionable insights.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain quantitative topics clearly to trading and technology stakeholders.
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Quantitative Finance, or similar).

Preferred qualifications, capabilities and skills

• Prior experience in a front-office quantitative research role within a rates and/or fixed income financing trading environment.
• Experience developing or supporting non-linear rates models (e.g., models relevant to structured rates products and exposures).
• People leadership experience, including mentoring junior talent and supporting team development.