At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategy and business development in the fast-paced digital assets sector.
- Company: Join Optiver, a leading market maker with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 27 vacation days, and health perks.
- Other info: Opportunities for global career growth and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the exciting world of crypto trading.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in strategy or business development, with a passion for finance.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Optiver is scaling its Digital Assets business into a 24/7 global trading operation, with desks in London and Singapore to provide liquidity in crypto derivatives around the clock.
As the business grows, we are looking for a Digital Assets Strategy & Business Development professional to join our UK Corporate Strategy team in London.
You will lead strategy and commercial development across our digital assets footprint, supporting existing business activities and identifying new opportunities for growth.
Working directly with the Head of Digital Assets Trading, you will partner with teams across trading, technology, research and control functions, as well as exchanges, regulators, custodians, prime brokers and other industry participants.
This is a role for a commercially minded strategist who is comfortable with ambiguity and wants meaningful ownership in a fast-growing business.
What you'll do
You will sit within the UK Corporate Strategy team and act as the commercial and strategic counterpart to the broader Optiver UK business, including FX, Commodities and the Digital Assets desk.
Specifically, you will
- Monitor developments across crypto derivatives, tokenised assets, stablecoins, settlement rails, and the broader ecosystem, covering market structure, industry trends, and relevant regulatory and policy changes to inform business decisions.
- Identify, assess and develop new business opportunities, partnerships, and growth areas through rigorous, fact-based analysis.
- Map and prioritise the digital assets opportunity set , building the commercial case for new products, venues and geographies, including market sizing, competitive positioning and the build, buy or partner decision.
- Support the development and execution of corporate and business strategy initiatives aligned with Optiver's UK and global digital assets priorities.
- Prepare strategy papers, management presentations and other materials for leadership discussions.
- Source and secure new partnerships across the ecosystem: exchanges and trading venues, direct counterparties, token and perpetuals issuers, custodians, prime brokers, infrastructure providers and intermediaries.
- Represent Optiver externally and build trusted relationships with regulators, exchanges, standard-setting bodies, and industry leaders.
- Build and maintain a network across both traditional finance and crypto-native participants.
- Work with Principal Strategic Investments to assess opportunities where investment may be more appropriate than a commercial partnership.
- Lead commercial structuring and negotiation for new products, venues and partnerships.
- Support ongoing business activities across the digital assets business lines, partnering with trading, control and support functions as needed.
- Own integration workstreams end to end, coordinating across trading, technology, legal, compliance, risk and operations to take opportunities from proposal to live trading.
- Define success metrics for new initiatives and hold the business to it after launch.
- Represent Optiver at industry events, conferences and forums.
Who you are
- 3-5 years' experience in corporate strategy, corporate development, business development, or a related commercial role in financial markets, or relevant strategy consulting or investment banking experience.
Working knowledge of both traditional markets (execution, clearing, settlement and financing) and digital assets (exchange and custody models, derivatives, blockchain infrastructure and tokenisation), with a genuine interest in how the two are converging.
- Proven ability to assess opportunities through rigorous, data-driven analysis and turn recommendations into execution.
- Experience structuring and negotiating complex commercial partnerships and building and maintaining senior relationships both internally and externally, including with regulators, exchanges and market participants where relevant.
- A track record of building something early – a new product, a new revenue stream or a new business line – or of carrying a strategic recommendation through implementation.
- High integrity and sound judgment in sensitive stakeholder and regulatory contexts.
- Self-motivated, results-driven and commercially minded, with strong ownership and accountability.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the credibility to represent Optiver externally and the clarity to influence internally.
- Willingness to travel as .
Strong preference will be given to candidates with
- Experience at a market maker, proprietary trading firm, exchange, or the digital assets arm of a bank or broker.
- An established network across traditional finance and/or the crypto ecosystem.
- Enough quantitative or technical literacy to hold your own with traders and engineers.
Who we are
At Optiver, our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilizing force no matter the market conditions.
With a focus on continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates.
As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe.
What you'll get
You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers.
Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle the toughest problems in the financial markets.
In addition, you’ll receive
- A performance-based bonus structure, enabling all of our employees to benefit from our global profit pool.
- 27 paid vacation days plus all UK public holidays.
- Daily breakfast and lunch, along with support on commuting expenses.
- Private medical insurance, pension scheme, and Class Pass fitness membership.
- Training and continuous learning opportunities, including access to conferences and tech events.
- International transfer opportunities for global career growth.
How to apply
Are you interested in furthering your career on one of the most dynamic and exciting trading floors in Europe?
Apply directly via the form below. If you have any questions feel free to contact our Recruitment team via our recruitment inquiry form .
Please note
- We do not require any assistance from third-parties including agencies in the recruitment of this role
- We cannot accept applications via email
- Diversity statement
Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion .
Corporate Strategy - Digital Assets in London employer: Optiver
Optiver is an exceptional employer for aspiring software developers, offering a dynamic internship experience in the heart of London’s financial district. With a strong focus on mentorship and collaboration, interns will engage in real-world projects that enhance their technical skills while enjoying extensive office perks, including meals and social activities. The supportive work culture fosters continuous improvement and provides a pathway to full-time opportunities, making it an ideal place for those passionate about technology and finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate Strategy - Digital Assets in London
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Optiver!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Corporate Strategy - Digital Assets position at Optiver via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Corporate Strategy - Digital Assets in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Optiver.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Optiver’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optiver
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Optiver. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Optiver. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Optiver.