Investment Associate, Capital Markets - Quantitative Strategies & Research

The opportunity The QSR(Quantitative Strategies & Research) team’s institutional grade systems are built to manage and trade billions of dollars across a systematic portfolio’s investment lifecycle. This includes but is not limited to data ingestion, portfolio construction and operations, trading and risk management. The role is for a portfolio engineer will be responsible for enhancing, supporting, and operating the systems and processes that underpin the quantitative investment strategies. The role is an active part of the QSR investment team and has key Portfolio Management, Portfolio Operations, Risk and P&L accountabilities.

Who you’ll work with The role is part of the QSR investment team, which is part of the Capital Markets/Investments group. The candidate will report to the Director, QSR(CMIA), Capital Markets. As an integral part of QSR, the role will work in conjunction with other members of the QSR investment team and the team’s research staff. The role will also partner with software developers from Technology as part of the broader CMIA (Capital Markets Investment Analytics) team. The team operates in an open, agile and collaborative environment.

What you’ll do

Take ownership of and help improve our extensive internal proprietary investment strategy codebase under the guidance of senior colleagues in Investments. Work on code that directly supports Investment functions including but not limited to: proprietary investment strategies, automated algorithmic trading, portfolio management, order management, risk analysis, automated reporting, profit and loss analysis, performance attribution, portfolio analytics, quantitative strategies research, web-based reporting, real-time system monitoring. Support and guide Technology partners in the development of code and solutions not directly linked to Investment outcomes: data platforms and infrastructure, analytics tooling, reporting infrastructure, application security, production environments and operational tooling. Direct ownership and accountability for QSR’s portfolio operations, including but not limited to: managing the team’s systematic intraday trade management process, responsibility for optimizing contract roll schedules, implementing portfolio rebalances and ad-hoc risk-adjustments as required by the QSR team, interfacing directly with the Trading desk to optimize trade flows and rapidly resolve any system or trading issues that may affect the normal course of QSR’s systematic trade flow. Responsible for deploying new investment models developed by QSR’s research staff to production in a timely manner. This requires ensuring new models are well integrated within the team’s codebase, analysing the portfolio and market impact of new models and ensuring conformity with the team’s operations and trading processes. Contribute to the ongoing development of the QSR’s systematic trading platform for portfolio analysis and model execution. Work with Trading to collect and analyse TCA and market data and help research improvements to our trade schedules and algorithmic execution methodology. Investigate and attribute portfolio profit and loss, risk and exposures to various strategies and factors. Proactively look for areas of improvement and bring new ideas to the team, including actively participating in QSR’s bimonthly ‘Blue Sky’ research initiatives. Actively work alongside quantitative researchers to help create, tune and maintain quantitative models at all stages of their development process. Learn about quantitative investment strategies and associated development and technology requirements. Work with Technology partners to implement software engineering best practices including; code quality, robustness, readability, maintainability. No direct management accountability but will support and provide guidance to new graduates and interns. Shows passion and curiosity for the subject matter and often goes beyond mandate to experiment new ideas. Strives to keep up to date with recent updates in the software engineering best practices. Proactively seeks advice and seeks to learn from more experienced members of the team. Not afraid to challenge them and engage them in debate. Expected to be able to work independently, or with little guidance, including on project they have been assigned. Can effectively manage time and can pragmatically strike the right balance between attention to detail and work volume. Has the knowhow and confidence to take ownership of the teams’ portfolio operation and, if needed, is able to make quick-thinking decisions to resolve complex trading and/or operational situations with potentially significant PnL outcomes. Takes ownership of documentation related to various projects. Can provide assistance and technical advice to researchers.

What you’ll need

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in quantitative discipline such as Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or Computer Science.
• Master in finance or similar advanced degrees is an asset.
• CFA charter or candidacy is an asset.
• Demonstrable understanding and passion for financial markets, quantitative finance, and systematic trading.
• Very strong programming skills.
• Preferred knowledge in Python, MATLAB, and SQL.
• Highly skilled in modern software engineering techniques, including design patterns, object-oriented programming, database, version control systems.
• Experience in supporting and debugging trading systems and performance analysis systems.
• Experience working with financial data providers such as Bloomberg, Refinitiv, S&P.
• Experience in managing full lifecycle of a project, from requirement gathering to production deployment and support.
• Demonstrated self-starter and problem-solving skills.
• 1+ years of relevant experience (software engineering in finance).
• Any direct experience in support of a systematic investment function is an important asset.
• Candidates at the junior end of the spectrum will need demonstrate a clear awareness, interest and passion for systematic investments.
• Demonstrated self-initiatives in the field (such as personal finance/software projects related to stock markets, automated trading, etc).

What we’re offering

• Numerous opportunities for professional growth and development
• Comprehensive employer paid benefits coverage
• Retirement income through a defined benefit pension plan
• The opportunity to invest back into the fund through our Deferred Incentive Program
• A flexible work environment combining in office collaboration and remote working
• Competitive time off
• Our Flexible Travel Program gives you the option to work abroad in another region/country for up to a month each year
• Employee discount programs including Edvantage and Perkopolis

At Ontario Teachers, we know that our Talent are our greatest strength – every innovation, every idea and every win has been powered by our people. We offer a work experience that inspires, encourages talent development, celebrates diversity and rewards superior performance. The best and brightest not only come here – they stay. Help us continue to deliver outstanding service and retirement security to our members and be the world’s leading pension plan.

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To learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, check out Life at Teachers'.