Trading Strategy Developer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

The Director, Hedging is responsible for supporting and executing the development and enhancement of hedging strategies and analytical capabilities across the derivatives portfolio to guide F&G's derivatives trading activities. This position will collaborate closely with the VP, Hedging Strategy and other team members to design and implement asset and liability hedging strategies and modelling capabilities aligned with the company's strategic objectives. The Director, Hedging will drive both the strategy and hands-on execution of interest rate, FX, and credit derivatives trading, including interest rate swaps, bond forwards, cross currency swaps, and credit default swaps, and will contribute meaningfully to the modelling and valuation of these instruments.

The role reports directly to the VP, Hedging Strategy, and works collaboratively with senior stakeholders across information technology, investments, product and financial actuaries, and the broader risk team.

Duties and Responsibilities

General Hedging Program and Trading

• Partner with the VP, Hedging Strategy in defining and executing the risk strategy for the derivatives portfolio, aligned with company objectives. This includes contributing to both general account hedging strategies and hedging the liability options embedded in our products.
• Execute derivatives trading across a wide array of instruments, including options, interest rate swaps, bond forwards, cross currency swaps, and credit default swaps, with direct responsibility for dealer relationships, trade execution, and best execution practices.
• Propose and refine macro trade strategies designed to manage ALM, earnings, capital, and market volatility, maintaining effective risk coverage while actively working to reduce hedge costs.
• Maintain valuation models, risk analytics, and decision-support tools for derivatives trading, with a focus on instruments such as options, swaps, currency, bond forwards, and credit derivatives.
• Drive initiatives to enhance system performance, ensuring the accuracy of derivative models and automating processes such as pricing and reconciliation.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the proprietary, in-house valuation system and collaborate with IT and the Quantitative Analytics team to support efforts that enhance its scalability, performance, and model integration, ensuring alignment with future business needs and best practices in system design.

Model Development and Valuation

• Collaborate with the Quantitative Analytics team on the pricing and valuation of equity, interest rate, FX, and credit derivatives, contributing to the enhancement of existing modelling frameworks including Bates jump diffusion, Heston, local volatility, and Monte Carlo simulation approaches.
• Monitor and compare model valuations daily, ensuring consistency and performance through rigorous validation and testing.
• Serve as a key resource for the actuarial and product teams, delivering detailed analytics such as option cost projections for monthly rate setting, index and crediting strategy evaluation, and annuity product design support.
• Leverage SQL and other data tools to generate ad-hoc reports and analysis in support of derivative trading decisions, risk management, and the automation of key processes.

Additional Responsibilities

• Take ownership of strategic initiatives in partnership with actuarial, finance, investments, and risk to support asset-liability management (ALM), liquidity risk measurement, and overall portfolio management.
• Recommend strategic trades, including macro-level transactions, leveraging strong business acumen, accounting principles, and deep market knowledge
• Respond to regulatory, audit, and internal risk management requirements, ensuring compliance and effective risk oversight of pricing models and derivative controls.
• Demonstrate an ownership mentality and a team-first attitude, working collaboratively with internal stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
• Prioritize and manage multiple complex tasks and projects, ensuring timely delivery and execution in a fast-paced environment with limited oversight.
• Bring a self-starter mentality to the role, adding value with minimal direction and contributing meaningfully from day one. The ideal candidate has no ego, a proven track record of high performance, and the drive to grow alongside a high-performing, lean team.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Finance, Economics, Statistics, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field. Master's degree in Mathematical Finance or a similar discipline preferred.
• Programming proficiency required, with demonstrated experience in Python, MATLAB, and VBA. Working knowledge of relational database systems such as SQL Server is a plus.
• 8+ years of hands-on derivatives trading experience across options, interest rate swaps, bond forwards, cross currency swaps, and credit default swaps, in both OTC and cleared markets, with direct accountability for trade execution, dealer relationships, and best execution.
• 8+ years of derivatives modelling and valuation experience, with demonstrated proficiency in quantitative frameworks including Heston, local volatility, Bates jump diffusion, and Monte Carlo simulation methods, applied to equity, rate, FX, and credit instruments.
• Life and annuity business experience required, with an understanding of statutory (STAT) and GAAP accounting principles.
• CFA/FRM designations preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of capital markets, derivatives products, and financial instruments, including interest rate, FX, credit, and equity derivatives across both OTC and cleared markets.
• Strong grasp of general account and liability hedging strategies, with the ability to balance short- and long-term risk management objectives while supporting profitability goals.
• Solid foundation in derivatives pricing and quantitative methods, including hands-on proficiency with frameworks including Heston models, local volatility models, Bates jump diffusion, and Monte Carlo simulations.
• Proven ability to execute derivatives trades with sound judgment, maintaining strong dealer relationships and adhering to best execution standards.
• Demonstrated life and annuity business acumen, including familiarity with FIA, IUL, and RILA product lines and an understanding of statutory (STAT) and GAAP accounting principles.
• Proficient in analytical and reporting tools including Bloomberg, Aladdin, Excel, and SQL, and programming languages such as Python, VBA, and MATLAB.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally across investments, actuarial, finance, risk, and technology teams.
• Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, execute with limited oversight, and contribute meaningfully in a fast-paced, lean team environment.

Other Requirements

• Perform other functions, duties and projects as assigned
• Regular and punctual attendance
• Some travel may be required (less than 10%)

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