Associate Director, ARM Quant Research (UK, Singapore) in London

This job is with Standard Chartered Bank, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. The role could be based in the UK or Singapore and is based in either London, United Kingdom, or Singapore, reflecting the bank's global reach and dynamic operations. Candidates must select the location where they intend to work during the application process. The Associate Director will have a comprehensive understanding of Standard Chartered's overall business strategy and the Algorithmic and Quantitative Research & Market (ARM) business framework. The successful candidate will maximise the electronic Trading Performance Indicator (eTPI) alongside the ARM Quant Research team, contribute to the growth of the eFX franchise, and support the bank's strategic goals through innovation and collaboration while adhering to regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the end-to-end lifecycle of algorithmic trading models and pricing tools, including specification, development, testing, implementation, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Leverage extensive data analysis techniques to optimise client spread capture and hedging strategies, utilising big data insights to enhance market performance.
• Innovate and generate advanced alpha signals supporting algorithmic trading strategies, conducting rigorous backtesting and continuous refinement through quantitative analysis.
• Work collaboratively with IT partners to ensure seamless delivery, integration, and operational stability of trading models, aligning technical capabilities with business requirements.
• Continuously assess and enhance model performance via data mining and statistical evaluation, identifying areas for system improvements and risk mitigation.
• Engage closely with electronic and voice sales teams to tailor client pricing approaches that balance competitive advantage with risk parameters.
• Provide expert advisory support on model design, validation, and deployment across the ARM Trading division, fostering knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Maintain strict adherence to internal controls and external regulatory frameworks, including relevant compliance requirements to prevent financial crime, ensuring robust governance within automated trading activities.
• Develop, document, and periodically review comprehensive operational controls and procedures, proactively adapting to evolving market conditions, technological advancements, and regulatory updates.

Skills and Experience

• Managing Change: Proven ability to drive adaptation and innovation within dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Risk Management: Deep understanding of financial risk frameworks, particularly within electronic trading and quantitative modelling contexts.
• Core Application Systems: Experience with key trading platforms and algorithmic infrastructure relevant to FX markets.
• Foreign Exchange Markets: Comprehensive knowledge of FX trading dynamics, liquidity, and market microstructure.
• Operational Risk: Awareness of operational risks associated with automated trading systems and control mechanisms.
• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in advanced quantitative and data analysis tools such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar.
• Trading Acumen: Experience or strong familiarity with trading practices, algorithmic strategy development, and execution in electronic markets.

Qualifications

• A solid background in quantitative research, supported by practical experience in designing, developing, or trading algorithmic models.
• An academic foundation in STEM disciplines such as Data Science, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or Engineering, providing a robust analytical framework.
• Proven experience in the relevant industry or academic field, showcasing technical expertise and comprehensive market knowledge; applicants from either background are encouraged to apply.
• Direct trading experience is highly advantageous, with those possessing a pure trading background encouraged to apply.
• Strong competency in programming and quantitative modelling techniques, with demonstrated ability to apply these in fast-moving, real-world trading environments.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development to stay current with emerging trends in algorithmic trading and quantitative finance.

About Standard Chartered

We’re an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, we’ve worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If you’re looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a bank making a difference, we want to hear from you. You can count on us to celebrate your unique talents and we’re excited to see the talents you can bring us. Our purpose, to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, together with our brand promise, to be here for good are achieved by how we each live our valued behaviours.

What we offer

• In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
• Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations.
• Time-off including annual leave, parental/maternity (20 weeks), sabbatical (12 months maximum) and volunteering leave (3 days), along with minimum global standards for annual and public holiday, which is combined to 30 days minimum.
• Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
• Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market-leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills, global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first-aiders and all sorts of self-help toolkits.
• A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning.
• Being part of an inclusive and values driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies - everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.

Recruitment Assessments

Some of our roles use assessments to help us understand how suitable you are for the role you’ve applied to. If you are invited to take an assessment, this is great news. It means your application has progressed to an important stage of our recruitment process.