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Institutional Trading Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Optiver

US ETF Sales Trader

New York, NY

Our Institutional Trading teams play a key role in this mission, partnering with over 600+ counterparties globally. As we continue to grow, we're seeking experienced sales traders who are excited to ...

Optiver

US Options Sales Trader

New York, NY · On-site

$200K/yr

Our Institutional Trading teams play a key role in this mission, partnering with over 600+ counterparties globally. As we continue to grow, we're seeking experienced sales traders who are excited to ...

Wolverine

Trading Systems Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

The Trading Systems Project Manager will play a key role in organizing and executing initiatives that support WEX's institutional trading platform and client-facing services. This includes ...

US Bank

Fixed Income Trader

Milwaukee, WI · Hybrid

... institutional trading activity - Ability to work independently while contributing positively in a team-based trading and operations environment - Experience generating, reviewing, balancing, and ...

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How much do institutional trading jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for institutional trading in the United States is $36.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.36 and $46.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Institutional Trader, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Institutional Trader, you need a strong background in finance, analytical skills, and a relevant degree such as finance, economics, or mathematics. Familiarity with trading platforms like Bloomberg Terminal, electronic trading systems, and regulatory certifications (such as FINRA Series 7 or 63) are typically required. Excellent decision-making, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills for managing high-stakes transactions and client relationships. These capabilities are critical for executing large trades efficiently, mitigating risk, and ensuring profitability in fast-paced financial markets.

How does an institutional trader typically collaborate with portfolio managers and analysts during the trading process?

Institutional traders work closely with portfolio managers and research analysts to execute large trades that align with the firm's investment strategies. Portfolio managers communicate their investment objectives and trade instructions, while analysts provide market insights and recommendations. Traders use this information to determine the optimal timing, size, and method of execution, aiming to minimize market impact and transaction costs. Effective collaboration ensures that trades are executed efficiently and in accordance with compliance and risk guidelines.

What is institutional trading?

Institutional trading refers to the buying and selling of large quantities of securities, such as stocks or bonds, by organizations like mutual funds, pension funds, insurance companies, and hedge funds. These trades are typically much larger than those made by individual investors and can significantly impact market prices. Institutional traders often use advanced strategies and sophisticated technology to execute trades efficiently and minimize costs. Their activities play a key role in providing liquidity and stability to the financial markets.

What is the difference between Institutional Trading vs Equity Trading?

AspectInstitutional TradingEquity Trading
CredentialsDegree in finance, economics, or related field; certifications like CFA often preferredSimilar credentials; CFA and finance degrees common
Work EnvironmentLarge financial institutions, hedge funds, asset managersBrokerages, investment banks, trading firms
Industry UsageUsed across institutional investors, asset managers, pension fundsUsed by individual and institutional traders
Search & ComparisonOften compared for scope, scale, and client baseFocuses more on individual or retail trading activities

Institutional Trading involves executing large-scale trades for institutions like pension funds and asset managers, often requiring specialized skills and certifications. Equity Trading generally refers to buying and selling stocks, which can be done by both individual and institutional traders. While both roles involve trading securities, Institutional Trading typically deals with larger volumes and more complex strategies within large organizations.

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What job categories do people searching Institutional Trading jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Institutional Trading jobs are:
Institutional Trading jobs near you

Deputy General Counsel, Strategic Partnerships

OKX

San Jose, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Who We Are
At OKX, we believe that the future will be reshaped by crypto, and ultimately contribute to every individual's freedom. OKX is a leading crypto exchange, and the developer of OKX Wallet, giving millions access to crypto trading and decentralized crypto applications (dApps). OKX is also a trusted brand by hundreds of large institutions seeking access to crypto markets. We are safe and reliable, backed by our Proof of Reserves. Across our multiple offices globally, we are united by our core principles: We Before Me, Do the Right Thing, and Get Things Done. These shared values drive our culture, shape our processes, and foster a friendly, rewarding, and diverse environment for every OK-er.
About the Legal Team
The Global Legal team is a world-class function that provides strategic legal counsel to OKX and its affiliated entities across every coverage area and jurisdiction. We are architects of the legal frameworks that enable OKX to scale responsibly, advising on the regulatory, contractual, and policy dimensions of everything we do. Our attorneys are embedded across the globe, handling matters across hundreds of markets, from established financial centers to emerging crypto-forward jurisdictions.
 
OKX's institutional business is one of the fastest-growing segments of our global platform, serving hundreds of the world's most sophisticated trading firms, funds, and financial institutions. As crypto enters its next phase of institutional adoption, we're looking for a senior legal leader to architect the legal frameworks that will underpin this growth - across custody, trading, prime services, and strategic partnerships - in a regulatory environment that is still being defined.
About the Opportunity:
In this role, you will report to OKX's Global Head of Commercial and Marketing Legal, lead a small but mighty global team and own legal coverage for a deal pipeline that spans hundreds of strategic and institutional counterparties and billions in annual notional flow. You will work directly with OKX's executive leadership and have visibility into the company's most strategically significant initiatives.
 
This is a defining leadership role within OKX's Global Legal function. As Deputy General Counsel, Strategic Institutional Partnerships, you will serve as the senior legal architect for one of OKX's most strategically important business lines: our institutional trading, custody, and partnership ecosystem.
 
You will be the primary legal authority on all matters touching institutional clients and strategic counterparties, owning the legal relationship from first engagement to executed agreements and ongoing compliance. You will lead a team of talented attorneys and legal operations professionals, serve as a trusted board-level counsellor to senior executives, and partner with product and business teams to bring complex, multi-jurisdictional offerings to market with speed and precision.
 
This is not a reactive, gatekeeping role. We are looking for a commercially-minded lawyer who leans in, shapes strategy, takes ownership, and thrives in a fast-moving environment where legal frameworks are still taking shape alongside the industry itself.
What You'll Be Doing:
  • Serve as the lead legal authority on all strategic institutional partnerships and trading arrangements, including custody, exchange integrations, prime brokerage, staking, co-investments, and alliances.
  • Advise on complex cross-border transactions, crypto product structuring, and multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance, including token classification and securities law.
  • Architect the contracting infrastructure, templates, playbooks, and fallback positions, that enables high-volume, high-consistency institutional deal execution.
  • Own end-to-end legal due diligence on institutional counterparties, and build senior-level relationships with clients, counterparties, and external counsel across the deal lifecycle.
  • Translate complex legal and regulatory issues into clear, commercially actionable guidance for product, engineering, and executive teams.
  • Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing, multi-disciplinary legal team while fostering a rigorous, pragmatic, and collaborative culture.
What We Look For In You:
Must Haves
  • Active membership with a U.S. state bar, or equivalent.
  • 10+ years of post-qualification legal experience, with a demonstrable track record at a top-tier law firm and/or in an in-house role at a leading financial institution.
  • Substantial hands-on expertise in cryptocurrency and digital assets law, including token classification, custody structures, exchange regulation, and DeFi.
  • Meaningful, deal-level exposure to strategic institutional trading, prime brokerage, custody, or structured products.
  • Demonstrated experience building, managing, and developing legal teams in a high-velocity, growth-oriented environment.
  • Exceptional negotiation, written, and oral communication skills, with the judgment and gravitas to advise at the C-suite level.
Strongly Preferred
  • Working knowledge of multiple regulatory regimes most relevant to our business (MiCA, SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, FCA, VARA, FSRA, or equivalent).
  • Experience closing cross-border institutional agreements under time pressure.
  • Prior experience designing scalable legal processes, playbooks, and fallback frameworks.
Perks & Benefits
Competitive total compensation package
L&D programs and Education subsidy for employees' growth and development
Various team building programs and company events
Wellness and meal allowances
Comprehensive healthcare schemes for employees and dependents
 
OKX Statement:
The salary range for this position is $240,000 to $360,000. The salary offered depends on a variety of factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location. In addition to the salary, a performance bonus and long-term incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, as well as a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Applicants should apply via OKX internal or external careers site.
 
OKX is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, genetic information, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, lawful alien status, national origin, age, marital status, and non-job related physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
#LI-EWR1 #LI-HYBRID 

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