Over the last 20 years, Ares’ success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values – Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy – and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry.
Job Description
Trader & Market Strategist
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Trader & Market Strategist to join our Insurance Investment team. The role combines trading support, market strategy, macroeconomic analysis, and investment communications. The successful candidate will serve as a key market resource for portfolio managers and senior investment leadership by providing timely market intelligence, developing macro views, researching hedging and financing strategies, and producing insightful market and economic commentary.
This position is ideal for an investment professional with deep knowledge of fixed income markets, derivatives, repo financing, and macroeconomics, coupled with strong writing and communication skills.
Key Responsibilities
Trading & Market Intelligence
- Monitor and analyze fixed income, corporate credit, rates, currency, and broader capital markets.
- Provide real-time market color, trading commentary, and insights gathered from dealers, brokers, and other market participants.
- Identify relative value opportunities and communicate actionable investment ideas to portfolio managers.
- Monitor market flows, positioning, liquidity conditions, and technical market factors.
- Support trading activities and investment decision-making across the insurance portfolio.
Market Strategy & Macroeconomic Research
- Develop and communicate views on economic growth, inflation, monetary policy, interest rates, credit conditions, and financial markets.
- Assess the implications of market and economic developments on insurance investment portfolios.
- Conduct scenario analysis and evaluate key market risks and opportunities.
- Maintain regular dialogue with sell-side strategists, economists, and market participants to stay informed on evolving trends.
Hedging, Financing & Portfolio Solutions
- Research and evaluate hedging strategies using interest rate derivatives, credit derivatives, foreign exchange instruments, and other risk management tools.
- Analyze portfolio exposures and recommend appropriate hedging solutions.
- Support asset-liability management (ALM) and portfolio risk management initiatives.
- Manage and monitor repo market activity, collateral optimization, and financing strategies.
- Evaluate funding and liquidity considerations impacting portfolio performance.
Market & Economic Commentary
- Author daily, weekly, and monthly market and economic updates for internal investment teams and senior management.
- Prepare investment committee materials, market presentations, and outlook reports.
- Translate complex market developments into concise and actionable insights for diverse audiences.
- Contribute thought leadership on macroeconomic and capital market trends.
Relationship Management
- Build and maintain relationships with broker-dealers, investment banks, research providers, and market participants.
- Collaborate with portfolio managers, traders, risk management, actuarial, and finance teams.
- Represent the investment team in external market discussions and industry forums as appropriate.
Qualifications
Required Experience
- 7+ years of experience in trading, market strategy, fixed income investing, macro research, capital markets, or a related investment role.
- Strong experience within an insurance company, asset manager, investment bank, hedge fund, or institutional investment organization.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing fixed income and macroeconomic markets and translating views into investment recommendations.
Required Skills
Deep understanding of:
- Fixed income markets, including rates, credit, and securitized products
- Interest rate and credit derivatives
- Repo and securities financing markets
- Portfolio hedging and risk management strategies
- Macroeconomic analysis and monetary policy
- Prior trading experience across multiple asset classes
- Strong market intuition and ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical and quantitative capabilities.
- Proficiency with Bloomberg, market data platforms, and Microsoft Office applications.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing or supporting insurance general account portfolios.
- Knowledge of insurance investment regulations, capital frameworks, and ALM principles.
- CFA, CAIA, FRM, or similar professional designation preferred.
- Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field is a plus.
Key Competencies
- Trading and market expertise
- Macroeconomic and strategic thinking
- Investment research and analytical rigor
- Strong written communication and presentation skills
- Relationship management and networking
- Sound judgment under changing market conditions
- Collaborative and team-oriented mindset
Reporting Relationships
Partner, Ares Insurance Solutions
Compensation
The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus. Note, the range takes into account a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to, years of relevant work experience, education, and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.
The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include Comprehensive Medical/Rx, Dental and Vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution; Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance; Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.
Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world-class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.
There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.
