Job Summary

This role could be based in UK and Singapore. When you start the application process you will be presented with a drop down menu showing all countries, Please ensure that you select a country where the role is based.

This exciting role is based in either London, United Kingdom, or Singapore, reflecting the global reach and dynamic operations of Standard Chartered. Candidates must ensure they select the location where they intend to work during the application process. The Associate Director will act with a comprehensive understanding of Standard Chartered’s overall business strategy and specifically the Algorithmic and Quantitative Research & Market (ARM) business framework.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in maximising the electronic Trading Performance Indicator (eTPI) alongside the ARM Quant Research team, contributing to the growth of the eFX franchise while strictly adhering to regulatory requirements. Additionally, this role demands a proactive outlook in identifying new revenue-generating opportunities within the ARM Trading franchise, staying abreast of the latest advancements and changes within the quant team, and effectively supporting the bank’s strategic goals through innovation and collaboration.

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 both 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 can't wait 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. When you work with us, you'll see how we value difference and advocate inclusion.

Together we:

• Do the right thing and are assertive, challenge one another, and live with integrity, while putting the client at the heart of what we do
• Never settle, continuously striving to improve and innovate, keeping things simple and learning from doing well, and not so well
• Are better together, we can be ourselves, be inclusive, see more good in others, and work collectively to build for the long term

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.

Visit our careers website www.sc.com/careers