At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build a new practice in Quantitative Trading, AI, and Capital Markets.
- Company: Join Salt, a global recruitment group with a strong brand and infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and entrepreneurial freedom.
- Other info: Opportunity for rapid career growth and team building in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape a specialist business and make a significant impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Proven success in quant or trading recruitment and strong client development skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
- Location and Type
- London (Hybrid, 2 days WFH, 3 days in-office)
- Full-time, Practice Director / Associate Director level
- About Salt
- Company: Salt
Salt is launching a new specialist practice covering Quantitative Trading, AI Research, and Capital Markets Technology, and we're looking for the person to build and lead it.
This is not an MD hire.
This is not a come and run a desk role.
This is a genuine platform to build a specialist business inside a global recruitment group, backed by Salt's brand, infrastructure, CEO sponsorship, and dedicated research capability in Brazil and South Africa.
If you're currently billing big numbers in a boutique quant/trading recruitment firm and feel capped, this is the platform you've been waiting for.
Mission
Build Salt's Quantitative Trading, AI & Capital Markets practice into a recognised specialist business, with the ambition of becoming a £3m+ GP division within three to five years.
- What You'll Be Doing
- Building the go-to-market strategy for this practice from the ground up
- Mapping and winning clients across hedge funds, prop trading firms, market makers, investment banks, and capital markets technology businesses
- Personally billing while building your team and pipeline
- Creating a repeatable delivery model using dedicated Brazil and South Africa research support
- Building candidate communities across quant research, quant development, low latency engineering, ML/AI, and trading systems
- Producing market maps, salary guides, and talent intelligence reports
- Hosting client events, breakfasts, and leadership dinners
- Hiring, training, and mentoring a future team of consultants
- Working across Salt's full offering: permanent, contract, executive search, and advisory
- Client Universe
- Hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, market makers, investment banks, asset managers, crypto trading firms, exchanges, AI‑first investment firms, fintechs, and capital markets technology businesses.
Think Citadel, Two Sigma, Jane Street, DE Shaw, Millennium, Point72, Hudson River Trading, Optiver, Man Group, and similar.
- Candidate Markets
- Quant researchers, quant developers, C++/Python/Rust engineers, low latency and FPGA engineers, ML engineers, AI researchers, execution and market data engineers, systematic trading specialists, and trading/risk technology talent.
What We're Looking For
- Proven billing history in quant, trading, hedge fund, or capital markets technology recruitment (likely £350k-£750k+)
- Strong, established client development ability in this space
- Entrepreneurial drive, you want to build something bigger than your current desk
- Ability to lead, train, and mentor a future team
- Comfortable working with offshore/nearshore research support
- Currently operating as a Principal Consultant, Senior Principal Consultant, Associate Director, Practice Lead, Team Lead, or rising Director
- What Salt Offers
- Global brand and infrastructure across 22 offices in 15 countries
- CEO sponsorship and marketing support
- Dedicated research team build‑out (Brazil and South Africa)
- Existing technology, data, and financial services client relationships
- Full CRM and technology stack
- Entrepreneurial freedom to build a practice, without startup risk
- Trajectory
- Year 1: £750k-£1m GP, 5-10 strategic clients, 4 dedicated researchers, first retained/exclusive search wins
- Year 2: £1.5m-£2m GP, 2-3 fee earners, 6-8 researchers, recognised market presence, expansion into US and UAE
- Longer term: £3m-£5m GP specialist division, with a team of 5+ fee earners and 10+ researchers
Salt is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Director, Quantitative Trading, AI & Capital Markets
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Salt Digital Recruitment. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Director, Quantitative Trading, AI & Capital Markets
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Salt Digital Recruitment.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Salt Digital Recruitment's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Salt Digital Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Salt Digital Recruitment.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Salt Digital Recruitment will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Salt Digital Recruitment employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
