Volatility Trader – Futures & Options – Switzerland

We are working with a Switzerland-based investment manager looking to hire a Volatility Trader with experience trading futures and options.

The firm operates a collaborative investment model and is not structured as a traditional pod platform. This opportunity is intended for somebody who wants to contribute within a broader team environment rather than operate as an isolated risk-taker with a purely individual P&L focus.

The successful candidate will bring a strong practical understanding of volatility, options of pricing and market behaviour. They should be comfortable identifying opportunities across different market conditions and combining disciplined risk management with sound trading judgement.

Key responsibilities will include:  

• Identifying and trading volatility opportunities across futures and options

• Developing and expressing views through options and volatility-based strategies

• Analysing implied and realised volatility across different market environments

• Monitoring volatility surfaces, term structures, skew and relative-value relationships

• Assessing the impact of market events, positioning and changing liquidity conditions

• Managing options exposures and associated Greeks

• Constructing trades with clearly defined risk and return characteristics

• Monitoring portfolio risk and adjusting exposures as market conditions change

• Contributing market insight and trading ideas within a collaborative team

• Reviewing trading performance and refining strategies over time

• Supporting the continued development of the firm’s volatility capabilities

• Maintaining disciplined risk management across all positions

We are looking for candidates with:

• Professional experience trading volatility, futures and options

• A strong understanding of options pricing and volatility dynamics

• Experience managing risk across live trading positions

• The ability to interpret volatility surfaces, skew and term structure

• Strong knowledge of Greeks, hedging and portfolio-level risk

• Sound judgement around liquidity, execution and market impact

• A demonstrable understanding of how volatility behaves across different market regimes

• The ability to generate and communicate clear trading ideas

• A disciplined and analytical approach to position sizing and risk management

• A collaborative mindset and willingness to contribute beyond an individual trading book

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work closely with other investment professionals

Candidates are likely to have developed their experience within a market-making firm, proprietary trading business, hedge fund, investment bank or comparable institutional trading environment. Market-making experience would be particularly relevant, although the client will consider candidates from other backgrounds who can demonstrate credible volatility expertise across futures and options.

The opportunity should appeal to somebody who wants to move away from the highly siloed structure associated with many pod platforms and join a more collaborative investment environment.

For the right individual, this offers the opportunity to contribute to an established investment business while helping develop its capabilities across volatility, futures and options.

Please contact Quant@octaviusfinance.com for a confidential discussion.