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Institutional Trader

Optiver · Chicago, IL · Trading

Posted Oct 2, 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 counterparty relationship you built from scratch. How did it turn into real trading flow?

What they are checking: Their ability to grow the institutional business by building relationships, the first duty listed.

Describe a new market opportunity you spotted and how you made the case to pursue it.

What they are checking: Commercial instinct and the ability to diversify strategy, which the role asks for.

Tell me about a trade that went wrong. What happened and what did you take from it?

What they are checking: Honesty about losses and whether they learn from process instead of blaming luck.

What would you do

A counterparty is unhappy after a trade moved against them right after they dealt with you. How do you handle the conversation?

What they are checking: Ability to protect a relationship honestly when a client feels they got a bad outcome.

How would you coordinate with the internal trading desk when you need a fast price on something unusual?

What they are checking: Collaboration under time pressure with sales and trading desks.

How would you explain Optiver's value to a counterparty who already has plenty of liquidity providers?

What they are checking: Ability to represent the firm and articulate a differentiated offering.

About the work

A client asks for a price on a large options block. Walk me through how you would quote it.

What they are checking: Understanding of pricing size, hedging cost and information risk in large trades.

How do you interpret large flows to inform trading strategy without exposing what you know?

What they are checking: Skill at reading flow while respecting the line between insight and misuse of client information.

What risks do you think about when taking the other side of a very large trade?

What they are checking: Awareness of adverse selection, liquidity and hedging risk in the biggest trades on the landscape.

What compliance boundaries matter most when you're talking to clients about trades every day?

What they are checking: Awareness of regulatory and ethical limits in client-facing trading.

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The full job description

As published by Optiver.

Optiver is looking for an Institutional Trader to join our Trading Team. As one of the key faces of our organization, you will translate market intricacies into strategic trades, driving profitability and expanding our trading counterparties utilizing your strong interpersonal skills. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of our institutional business. What you’ll do Institutional traders often take on the largest and most impactful trades across the landscape. Every day presents them with new interactions, experiences and situations to navigate. As an Institutional Trader, your key responsibilities include: • Represent Optiver by managing current and building new relationships with external counterparties • Interpret large flows to inform trading strategies • Identify new market opportunities in order to diversify our strategies and maximize team success • Collaborate with our internal sales and trading desks to make real-time contributions to trading and pricing decisions What you’ll get • The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries • A highly competitive compensation package • Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure • 401(k) match up to 50% • Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage • 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays • Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more Who you are • Hold a bachelor’s degree (required) • Have 2-5 years of experience trading Index and/or Equity Derivatives at a Bank or Propriety Trading Firm • Expertise in trading and position management around market flows • Have a deep understanding of the market landscape and industry dynamics, allowing for the identification of innovative growth prospects • Excellent communicator with experience building and maintaining external relationships in your prior roles • Competitive attitude and dedication to constantly improve in a team environment   • Strong mathematical and quantitative background • Legal authorization to work in the US  Who we are At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilizing the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritize safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe. Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.   Below is the expected base salary for this position. This position will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus and Optiver’s benefits package with the benefits listed above. Base Salary Range $200,000 — $200,000 USD

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