Jobs › Options Clearing Corporation

Director, Quantitative Risk Management

Options Clearing Corporation · Chicago, IL · $177,300–$232,900 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a team of quants you've managed. How did you develop people and keep quality high?

What they are checking: Whether they lead through review and coaching rather than doing the hardest work themselves.

Tell me about a time a regulatory finding forced a model change on a tight deadline. What did you prioritize?

What they are checking: Whether they can meet regulatory commitments without cutting corners on testing and documentation.

What would you do

Model Validation has issued a finding you disagree with. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they engage on evidence and respect independent validation instead of treating it as an obstacle.

An exchange wants to launch a new product. How do you decide whether existing risk models can support it?

What they are checking: Whether they map product features to model assumptions and spot gaps before launch, not after.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd build an implied volatility simulation that produces coherent surfaces across maturities and strikes.

What they are checking: Whether they can handle arbitrage-free surface construction, the exact enhancement work this role directs.

A margin backtest shows a cluster of exceedances. How do you attribute them down to symbol and strategy level?

What they are checking: Whether they can separate model weakness from data issues or one-off events using Python and SQL analysis.

How would you design an interest rate risk add-on for an options portfolio margin model?

What they are checking: Whether they understand rate sensitivity in options and how to add it without double counting existing risk.

What makes short-dated options hard to margin, and how would you approach enhancing the model for them?

What they are checking: Whether they grasp gamma and jump risk near expiry, which has grown with the rise of zero-day options.

How do you design stress testing scenarios for clearing fund sizing, and how do you know they are severe enough?

What they are checking: Whether they balance historical and hypothetical scenarios and can defend plausibility to regulators.

How do you take a Python prototype to production with the technology team without losing what made it correct?

What they are checking: Whether they specify, test and reconcile carefully so production results match the approved methodology.

How would you explain a procyclicality concern in margin to a risk committee that isn't quantitative?

What they are checking: Whether they can translate model behavior into business consequences for senior decision makers.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Options Clearing Corporation.

Job Title : Director, Quantitative Risk Management Location: 125 S. Franklin Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606 Duties: Direct the development, implementation, testing and maintenance of models used for margin, clearing fund and stress testing. Develop methodology and Python prototype implementation for implied volatility simulation model enhancements to generate coherent implied volatility surfaces across maturities and strikes. Execute quantitative risk model enhancement initiatives addressing validation and regulatory findings, including interest rate risk add-ons and short-dated options modeling enhancements. Conduct quantitative risk model performance monitoring and margin backtesting exceedance attribution analysis using Python and SQL, including investigation of symbol- and strategy-level drivers, and identification of model limitations and potential enhancement opportunities. Support new product launching initiatives by participating in discussions with exchanges and internal stakeholders, assessing whether existing quantitative risk models can support new products, coordinating model enhancement discussions, and partnering with technology teams on testing and implementation activities. Work closely with risk managers in Financial Risk Management and partners in other areas, including Information Technology, Model Validation, and Compliance. Manage a team of financial engineers and model developers, and direct, lead, and review the development and implementation of models for pricing, margin risk, and stress testing of financial products and derivatives. Oversee the analysis of new products and drive their implementation, and research and present model alternatives based on academic literature, industry best practices, data analysis, and model prototyping. Produce whitepapers and technical documentation following QRM’s procedures and templates, and develop standards, procedures, and tools for model performance monitoring while communicating results to peers and leadership. Lead and direct the implementation of model development tools in QRM supporting model analysis and back testing, as well as the implementation of model analytics in the QRM Library. Partner with IT and other departments to deliver QRM analytics to production, provide production support, and participate in troubleshooting and analysis of model, system, and data issues. Lead remediation of Model Validation or regulatory findings, prepare and present materials supporting management and regulatory inquiries, and provide intellectual leadership promoting innovation and learning. Up to 40% telecommuting permitted. OCC offers a standard benefits package. *This position qualifies for The Options Clearing Corporation’s Employee Referral Program.* Education & Experience Required: Master’s degree in finance, financial engineering, financial mathematics, or related and six (6) years of experience as a quantitative risk management analyst, quantitative risk management principal, or related Special Skills Required: Must have work experience with each of the following: 1) Developing methodology and Python prototype implementation for implied volatility simulation model enhancements to generate coherent implied volatility surfaces across maturities and strikes; 2) Executing quantitative risk model enhancement initiatives addressing validation and regulatory findings, including interest rate risk add-ons and short-dated options modeling enhancements; and 3) Conducting quantitative risk model performance monitoring and margin backtesting exceedance attribution analysis using Python and SQL, including investigation of symbol- and strategy-level drivers, and identification of model limitations and potential enhancement opportunities. Up to 40% telecommuting permitted. Salary $177,300-$232,900 Apply: OCC offers a standard benefits package. See a full list of benefits here: https://www.theocc.com/careers/thriving-together . Apply online at www.theocc.com . No calls. EOE. About Us The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization. Founded in 1973, OCC is dedicated to promoting stability and market integrity by delivering clearing and settlement services for options, futures and securities lending transactions. As a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU), OCC operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. OCC has more than 100 clearing members and provides central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement services to 19 exchanges and trading platforms. More information about OCC is available at www.theocc.com. Benefits A highly collaborative and supportive environment developed to encourage work-life balance and employee wellness. Some of these components include: • A hybrid work environment, up to 2 days per week of remote work • Tuition Reimbursement to support your continued education • Student Loan Repayment Assistance • Technology Stipend allowing you to use the device of your choice to connect to our network while working remotely • Generous PTO and Parental leave • 401k Employer Match • Competitive health benefits including medical, dental and vision Visit https://www.theocc.com/careers/thriving-together for more information. Compensation • The salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education. • In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer. • We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on www.theocc.com/careers • All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed. Step 1 When you find a position you're interested in, click the 'Apply' button. Please complete the application and attach your resume. Step 2 You will receive an email notification to confirm that we've received your application. Step 3 If you are called in for an interview, a representative from OCC will contact you to set up a date, time, and location. For more information about OCC , please click here . OCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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