Overview
Balyasny Asset Management (BAM) is seeking a highly sophisticated, buy-side-proven Options Strategist to join a macro portfolio management team based in Switzerland.
Responsibilities
- Trade Execution: Partner directly with the Portfolio Manager to translate high-conviction macro, commodity, and equity views into highly efficient options and derivatives structures. Experience executing sector baskets & determining optimal trade structures (e.g., spreads, outrights) to maximize capital efficiency and convexity.
- Greeks Optimization: Systematically monitor and manage the portfolio's options-specific risks, with a rigorous focus on theta bleed/decay, volatility surface dynamics, and trade timing.
- Downside & Tail-Hedging: Design, implement, and run robust tail-hedging and downside-protection frameworks. Ensure the portfolio is structurally insulated against tail risk, correlation breakdowns, and extreme market shocks.
- Portfolio Construction: Proactively identify and monitor "blind spots" within the book, including hidden factor exposures, correlation breakdowns under stress, and liquidity gaps across various market regimes.
- Drawdown Management: Formulate and manage drawdown mitigation processes, ensuring the net directionality of the book is dynamically adjusted and protected during periods of heightened volatility or performance drawdowns.
- Cross-Asset Market Trade Idea Generation: Help generated high quality, high conviction trade ideas across sectors and asset classes; Equities, Commodities, and FX to identify relative-value & directional opportunities.
Requirements
- Options & Volatility Expertise: An exceptional understanding of option pricing, volatility dynamics, and derivatives structures. While cross-asset options experience is highly preferred (specifically straddling Equities, Commodities, and Precious Metals), we are open to specialists from any asset class who demonstrate world-class derivatives expertise.
- Seasoned Buy-Side Experience: The ideal candidate must possess significant, battle-tested hedge fund or proprietary trading firm experience. You must have lived through multiple market cycles, navigated severe drawdowns, and structurally managed risk in real-world, high-stress environments.
- Portfolio Construction & Risk Analytics: Strong quantitative capabilities with the ability to model complex, multi-asset portfolios, identify liquidity gaps, and stress-test assets during correlation breakdown periods.
- PM Collaboration: Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. You must be able to challenge assumptions, present complex risk trade-offs to the Portfolio Manager, and work hand-in-hand to optimize the book's risk-reward profile.
- Education: A degree in Finance, Mathematics, Economics, Accounting or a related discipline; or advanced degree a plus
- Location: Ideally based in, or willing to relocate to Zug or Geneva, Switzerland.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation, inclusive of performance-based bonuses.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Pathways for professional growth and career development.
- A dynamic and supportive work environment where innovation and creativity are encouraged.
- Opportunity to be part of building a great business where your efforts are recognized and valued.