Desk Strats

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group headquartered in Tokyo with a 400-year history, offering a diverse range of financial services including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group operates over 130 offices with 80,000 employees worldwide across nearly 40 countries. In the Americas, SMBC Group provides commercial and investment banking services to corporate, institutional, and municipal clients, connecting them to local markets and an extensive global network.

About the role

The role is for a VP-level Desk Strat supporting the Interest Rate Options team, focusing on rates-related products, pricing methodology, risk analysis, and desk workflow support. The individual will collaborate with traders, Model Validation, technology teams, and Middle Office to develop and maintain pricing tools, investigate issues, improve desk processes, and enhance analytics and infrastructure. The role requires strong technical ability, sound product and risk knowledge, and the confidence to engage directly with users and partner teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the options desk by developing, maintaining, and improving pricing and risk tools used in daily trading and risk management.
• Deliver reliable solutions across spreadsheet- and application-based workflows, troubleshoot production issues efficiently, and ensure model changes and releases are tested and implemented in line with desk and governance standards.
• Contribute to the enhancement of desk infrastructure and automation to improve control, efficiency, and scalability.
• Engage directly with traders, model validators, technology teams, and control functions to describe problems clearly and drive issues to resolution.
• Gather requirements, explain technical topics in a practical way, and work effectively across teams.
• Engage with Model Validation and other governance stakeholders to discuss model changes, controls, testing, and documentation.

Requirements

• Good understanding of rates-related products, especially options, along with working knowledge of pricing methodology and risk.
• Ability to analyze product behavior, understand valuation and sensitivity drivers, and apply that understanding when building or enhancing desk tools.
• Experience in a front-office pricing environment or a related role supporting rates or options businesses.
• Proficiency in Excel and Excel VBA, with working to solid programming ability in Java and Python.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate issues independently and balance business needs with control requirements.
• Proactive, user-focused, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced front-office environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work across teams, and maintain a high standard of accuracy and responsiveness.
• Experience interacting with model governance, testing, and validation processes is highly desirable.
• Strong communication skills to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Additional Requirements

• Employees participate in a hybrid workforce model, requiring residence within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location.
• Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, such as FINRA-registered positions requiring full-time in-office attendance.

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $157,000 and $225,000. The specific salary offered will be based on individual qualifications, experience, and an analysis of current compensation in the candidate’s geography and market for similar roles. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award.

Benefits

SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.