A job that asks for both halves
Institutional Trading sits where two things most trading roles keep separate come together: reading the market, and reading the room. Our Institutional Traders handle some of Optiver's largest orders, dealing directly with brokers and counterparties around the world, and working alongside our Screen Traders to agree a price at speed. It is a job that asks you to be quick with numbers and good with people, at the same time, under pressure.
There is no right background for it
Most firms hire for one of those things. We hire for both, which is why the people on this desk arrived from broking, asset management, consulting, technology and further afield. Some of them will tell you they did not know the role existed before they found it.
“I knew Optiver by name but didn't know this role existed. I thought all traders here had very quant heavy backgrounds.”
You can read how five of them got
One afternoon to find out
The Trading Floor is one afternoon and evening to find out whether that combination is yours. You will join us while markets are still open, take part in exercises and challenges built on the real work of the desk, and spend time with the traders you would be working alongside. Some of it is competitive. All of it is closer to the job than an interview room gets.
“I love the game-like element of the role. It's a combination of chess and poker, thinking a few steps ahead while reading the person on the other side of the phone.”
What you leave with
Everyone who attends hears back from us within five working days of the event, whatever the outcome. Strong performance may lead to a full-time offer to join Optiver as an Institutional Trader in February 2027.
Where it happens
The afternoon takes place at
Who should apply?
This event is for early career professionals who back themselves on numbers and on people, and who want a faster route into trading than a standard process offers.
You do not need previous experience in trading to take part. We are more interested in your numerical ability, your communication skills and your potential to develop in the role. You might be a broker, a sales or execution trader, a commodities trader or a markets analyst. Or you might be in consulting, technology, payments, private equity, sales, sports and gaming, or somewhere else entirely, and wondering whether this is a move you could make.
To take part you will need:
- One to five years of professional working experience
- A minimum of a BSc in a quantitative or technical field
- To be currently situated in the Netherlands, the UK or Europe
- To be able to demonstrate at the time of application that you have the visa or travel authorisations in place to attend the event in person. Visa sponsorship and relocation support are available for the role itself
Travel to Amsterdam is covered for candidates based in Europe.
There are thirty places, and applications are reviewed by our recruitment team.
Apply to be considered
Applications are open now and close at 17:00 CET on 19 October.
Complete the form and upload your CV. There are three stages before the event:
- Online assessment and CV review. A short online assessment sent after you submit your application, alongside a review of your CV.
- Motivation call. A 10 to 15 minute call with our recruitment team to discuss your motivations and aspirations.
- Role play. A short technical role-play exercise with one of our Institutional Traders.
Selected candidates are then invited to The Trading Floor on Friday 13 November.
