Head of Trading

Geode•Boston, MA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Geode is a global institutional asset manager providing core beta exposures across a range of equity and niche asset classes, including commodities and options, for registered funds, commingled pools and separately managed accounts. Geode currently manages over $1.5 trillion in AUM across the products it advises and sub-advises. We are seeking an accomplished and commercially astute Head of Trading to lead our trading function across equity, commodity, and derivative asset classes. This is a senior leadership role reporting to the Chief Investment Officer within a large passive index fund manager, responsible for overseeing a team of trading professionals, driving best-in-class execution quality, and acting as the primary trading liaison to the Board, clients, and our broker network. The successful candidate will combine deep technical trading expertise with strong leadership and communication skills, ensuring our execution capabilities remain aligned with the firm's investment mandates, regulatory obligations, and client expectations. This role is based in our office in Boston, Massachusetts. You are required to follow the firm’s hybrid policy. Please note that Geode may alter this policy at any time.

Requirements

15+ years of institutional trading experience, with significant exposure to equity markets and at least working knowledge of commodities and derivatives.
Proven experience managing or leading a trading team in asset management, fund management, or similar buy-side environment.
Deep understanding of passive investment strategies, index replication, and the execution challenges specific to tracking-sensitive mandates.
Demonstrated experience engaging with senior stakeholders, Board-level audiences, or client-facing presentations on trading matters.
Strong broker network and established relationships.
Solid understanding of best execution frameworks and relevant regulatory requirements.
Proficiency with OMS/EMS platforms and TCA tools; comfort with data-driven performance evaluation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with program trading, index rebalance execution, and ETF creation/redemption mechanics.
Familiarity with exchange-traded and OTC derivatives, including futures, swaps, and options across equity and commodity instruments.
Experience operating within a highly regulated environment at a senior level.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of five traders spanning a range of experience levels, fostering a high-performance and collaborative trading culture.
Conduct regular performance reviews, set individual objectives, and provide ongoing coaching and structured development plans.
Manage day-to-day workflow allocation across the trading desk, ensuring adequate coverage, risk management, and succession planning.
Recruit and onboard new trading talent as the team evolves in line with business growth.
Design, implement, and continuously improve trading processes, workflows, and operating procedures across equity, commodity, and derivative portfolios.
Collaborate with technology and operation teams.
Oversee order management, execution strategies (including algorithmic and program trading), and post-trade processes to ensure consistency and best execution.
Establish and enforce trading desk policies, controls, and governance frameworks.
Drive technology adoption — evaluating and implementing OMS/EMS platforms, algorithmic tools, and TCA (Transaction Cost Analysis) frameworks.
Monitor and report on execution quality metrics, continuously benchmarking performance against relevant indices and peer standards.
Serve as the trading desk's primary representative to the Board, presenting execution performance, market commentary, and strategic trading initiatives at Board and Investment/Oversight/Risk Committee meetings.
Respond to client inquiries relating to trading activity, execution methodology, and portfolio rebalancing — communicating complex concepts clearly to both institutional and retail client audiences.
Prepare and deliver trading reports, best execution disclosures, and RFP responses as required by clients, prospects, and regulatory obligations.
Collaborate closely with Portfolio Management, Risk, and Client Services teams to ensure alignment between investment strategy and execution approach.
Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with prime brokers, executing brokers, and counterparties across equity, commodity, and derivatives markets.
Lead broker review processes, including ongoing evaluation of broker panels, monitor counterparty credit assessments, and commission/fee negotiations.
Stay current with market structure developments, liquidity conditions, and broker capabilities to ensure the firm accesses best available liquidity.
Manage broker onboarding in accordance with regulatory and internal due diligence requirements.
Ensure all trading activities are conducted within regulatory requirements, best execution obligations, market abuse rules, and relevant derivatives regulations.
Act as the first line of defense relating to trading desk risk, monitoring market, operational, and counterparty risks and escalating appropriately.
Maintain close working relationships with Legal, Compliance, and Risk functions to ensure the desk operates within established frameworks.
Support internal and external audits relating to trading processes and controls.