Symetra Financial

Director, Sr. Derivatives Analyst & Trader - Hybrid

Symetra Financial$194K — $262K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of hands-on experience in derivatives trading and analysis, specifically in insurance or asset management.
  • Degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or operations research is required.
  • Advanced coding skills in Python, VBA Macros, SQL, and financial software are essential.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Deep understanding of derivatives markets, pricing, and risk management is critical.
  • Familiarity with index-linked insurance products and hedging programs is preferred.
  • Proven track record in executing detailed trade confirmations and managing trade lifecycles.

Responsibilities

  • Execute derivative trades according to approved company programs, including both cleared and bilateral markets.
  • Conduct analytical work on derivative assets and liabilities for comprehensive risk exposure assessments.
  • Provide regular and on-demand reporting while offering actionable insights and recommendations.
  • Modernize reporting processes using PowerBI and support P/L reporting through systems development.
  • Co-ordinate with insurance stakeholders on new product onboarding and resolving data issues.
  • Develop coding and automation tools to enhance trading and risk analysis processes.
  • Maintain operational details while aligning with broader investment management objectives.

Benefits

  • 401(k) plan with immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%.
  • Self-Managed Time Away policy, coupled with paid holidays.
  • Community impact through company matching for charitable contributions.
Full Job Description
Symetra has an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Director, Sr. Derivatives Analyst & Trader!

About the Role

The successful candidate will have detailed derivatives execution expertise with responsibilities across various trading, analytical, and quantitative analysis functions within the derivatives front office of the investment management department. This includes the identification, execution and daily management of derivative trades in accordance with approved programs, analytical work on the underlying portfolio of assets as well as liabilities, ad-hoc and daily risk and P/L attribution, and coding in support of trading/risk analysis, trading tools/utilities development, process automation and reporting. The role demands a pragmatic, hands-on contributor who is comfortable working through operational details while keeping broader objectives in mind.

This is a hybrid work role based in Farmington, Connecticut

What you will do
  • Execution of derivative trades in accordance with the Company's approved derivatives programs. Execution in both cleared and bilateral derivatives markets using both exchange-listed and over-the-counter instruments with expert knowledge of the economics, risks, and market conventions of such derivatives. Positions will be taken in equity, rates, credit, commodity, and FX derivatives. Review and execution of trade confirmations and interfacing with the Operations team on all aspects of the trade lifecycle, including collateral management, trade booking, reconciliation, and settlements. Expertise on liability processes and coordination with insurance company stakeholders on resolving liability-related data issues and new product onboarding into trading and reporting systems.


  • Analytical work on derivative assets and insurance liabilities in support of the management of the derivatives portfolio, including derivatives pricing, modeling prototypes, comprehensive analysis of Greeks/risk exposures, analysis of new insurance product features, coordination with insurance lines of business, and various investment sector desks by providing accurate and timely responses to their queries. Coding in Python, VBA Macros, SQL and financial and statistical software packages in support of trading/risk/P&L analysis, trading tool/utility development and process automation


  • Reporting: Responsible for regular and on-demand reporting, including providing comprehensive and insightful commentary and actionable recommendations. Using reporting as a feedback tool to inform hedge execution. Hands-on experience with PowerBI to modernize reporting. Develop processes, systems and tools to support P/L reporting and attribution, risk reporting, scenario analysis, and transaction cost analysis. This work will include writing and maintaining SQL queries, building database and reporting functionality, market and trade data retrieval, and other elements common to the functionality and maintenance of derivatives analytic systems.

What we offer you

We don't take a "one-size-fits-all" approach when it comes to our employees. Our programs are designed to make your life better both at work and at home.
  • Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%
  • Self-Managed Time Away along with paid holidays
  • Give back to your community and double your impact through our company matching
  • Want more details? Check out Symetra Benefits Overview


Compensation

Salary Range: Min $194,000 - Max $262,000 plus eligibility for annual bonus program and long-term incentives.

Who you are
  • Highly quantitative educational credentials in a quantitative discipline such as computer science, mathematics, engineering, or operations research.
  • 8+ years of experience in a hands-on derivatives trading and analysis role focused directly on hedging and/or the derivatives markets in an insurance company or asset management firm.
  • Ability to handle trade requests from multiple sources simultaneously and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
  • Well organized, independent, entrepreneurial and self-motivated with the ability to maintain composure while working under pressure.
  • A roll-up the sleeves, "get it done" work ethic that supports the completion of tasks within specified timeframes, understanding that the work requirements of the position will sometimes embed inflexible deadlines.
  • Accurate, best practice trade execution with attention to detail and the ability to efficiently balance both project work and trading responsibilities.
  • Advanced spreadsheet and coding skills, including an emphasis on efficient automation and day-to-day maintenance of quantitative desktop trading and portfolio management tools in an independent manner.
  • Must have a sound understanding of derivatives-oriented technology platforms. A demonstrable understanding of derivatives pricing and hedging, including risk-neutral valuation and option pricing techniques.
  • Direct familiarity with index-linked insurance products, including indexed and/or variable annuity hedging programs, knowledge of equity index options, knowledge of NumeriX, knowledge of derivative collateralization regimes and requirements is preferred.

#LI-Hybrid

About Symetra Financial

Symetra Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. The company provides retirement plans, employee benefits, annuities, and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors. Symetra was founded in 1957 and became a subsidiary of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company in 2016. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SYA. As of December 31, 2020, Symetra had $63.6 billion in assets under management and administration.
Learn more about Symetra Financial
Size
2,400 employees
Industry
Founded
1957

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