Desk Strategist

Role Overview

We have partnered with a leading alternative investment manager looking to hire an experienced European/G10 Fixed Income/Rates Desk Strategist to join their Macro Team in Zurich. The team manages all liquid macro strategies for the firm's European institutional clients, focusing on G10 Rates, Rates Vol, EGBs, and Macro Credit. This role is highly analytical and market-driven, focused on trade idea generation for the PMs across European and broader G10 rates and macro fixed income markets.

This is a very high-calibre macro team, known for taking some very large positions and generating significant pnl and performance. The role also includes a strong client-facing component, requiring regular interaction with internal stakeholders, investment teams, and external clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Trade Idea Generation: Develop and present actionable investment ideas across European Rates, G10 Rates, Rates Vol, and EGBs to support PMs.
• Collaboration with PMs & Quants: Work closely with Portfolio Managers and quantitative teams to refine trading signals, scenario analysis, and portfolio positioning.
• Quantitative & Technical Contributions: Utilize Python for data analysis, backtesting trade ideas, and developing proprietary models.
• Internal & External Client Interaction: Present investment insights to senior internal teams and external clients, requiring strong communication and presentation skills.
• Portfolio Monitoring: Track market movements, risk exposures, and P&L contributions, ensuring alignment with investment strategies.

Requirements & Qualifications

• 4-10 years of experience in Rates Strategy, Desk Strategy, or Macro Research (sell-side or buy-side).
• Strong quantitative skillset – proficiency in Python and comfort working with quantitative teams. Experience managing offshore quant resources is a plus.
• Broad macro and fixed income knowledge – strong track record of trade idea generation across European Rates curve and broader G10 Rates.
• Highly polished communicator – ability to present complex trade ideas and portfolio positioning to internal stakeholders and external clients.
• Strong academic background – MSc in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Multilingual candidates are a plus – proficiency in French, Italian, Dutch, or German is advantageous.
• Ambitious and driven – proven track record of generating ideas, a strong work ethic, and long-term commitment to the role.

Key Selling Points

• High-performing Macro Team: Work within a well-established, PnL-generating team with a strong reputation in European Rates.
• Significant Market Exposure: Engage in high-volume trading, with approximately €300 billion in annual turnover across European Rates, Rates Vol, and Govvies.
• Path to Risk-Taking: Potential long-term growth opportunities for strong performers who demonstrate risk-taking ability.
• Zurich-Based Role: Contribute to the expansion of the firm's European presence, gaining exposure to high-level investment decisions within a leading alternative asset manager.
• Collaborative and Technical Environment: Work closely with and learn from a highly experienced team of Portfolio Managers
• Strategic and Tactical Investing: Exposure to both short-term (1-2 weeks) and longer-term (3-6+ months) tactical and strategic trades.
• Client-Facing, High-Visibility Role: Regular interaction with senior internal stakeholders and external clients, making this an ideal position for a strong communicator with commercial acumen.