Quantitative Analytics& Technology

Oliver James Associates is an established search and selection consultancy operating exclusively within the �nancial services industry since 2002.

Our business was initially built as the chosen recruitment partner for a large proportion of the Insurance and Asset Management industries. In 2011, we launched our Banking and Broking teams in response to two main areas of weakness in �nancial services recruitment:

Most recruiters have contractual preferred supplier relationships in place across the majority of major banks, and therefore have no ability to market map & pro-actively source talented individuals

There is a supply gap between the reach of the top-end of most contingency recruitment �rms and the bottom-end of most search �rms – this gap results in poor quality of service being delivered in the £75-150k salary range

Oliver James Associates satisfy these needs by:

Building long-term relationships with a handful of banks, and ring-fencing the rest of the market as source clients where we spend time mapping relevant teams

Through an experienced and talented Research team we reach out to build relationships with high calibre individuals who are not actively looking for a new role, but are receptive to being presented with their next logical career step

We treat each instruction as an individual project, and apply search methodology to sourcing a high quality shortlist for roles in the mid-senior level

Search & Selection to the Financial Services Industry

The Quant Team

While most agencies see the Quant space as an extension of IT or Risk, we understand the true value of the rocket scientists in the banking world.

With a dedicated team covering the Quantitative Finance and Technology market, we possess a deep technical understanding of the requirements allowing us to source the very best active and passive candidates in the market.

Our senior consultants have over a decade of combined experience recruiting in the quant and technology sectors and have placed at Global Head through to Associate level, and PhD candidates looking for their �rst step on the Quant ladder.

Previous successful projects have included:

• Director, Credit Derivative Analytics, London• Managing Director, Head of Library Development, New York• Senior Vice President, Equity Quant Strategist, London• Managing Director, Global Head of CVA Analytics, Singapore• Senior Strategist, Equities Algo Execution, London• Head of Trading Engineering, High Frequency, London• Director, Trading Performance Engineer, London• Vice President, C++ Developer (FX Trading Systems), London

We endeavour to truly immerse ourselves in all aspects of quantitative analytics, strategy and technology to provide a true consultancy service to our clients and candidates.

Areas of specialism

• Desk Quants (Strategists/Modellers/Researchers)• Front Office Development & Implementation• High Frequency and Algorithmic Trading Technologists• Quant Development and Library Architects• Model Validation and Quantitative Risk Modelling• Quantitative Advisory and Consultants

Area of Specialism: Front O�ce Quantitative Analytics

Oliver James Associates has a dedicated team focusing on placing Front O�ce Quantitative professionals into a variety of di�erent roles at varying levels of seniority. There are many challenges in recruiting Front O�ce Quants; with CV’s brimming with mathematical processes and programming languages, they can be hard to di�erentiate. We therefore ensure that we have as good an understanding as possible of both the technical pro�ciency as well as communication ability required to work in such a group

Desk Quants / Modellers

Our team have extensive experience in this area working with some of the very best derivative modelling and pricing Quants in the market. Having ring-fenced certain top tier Investment Banks we are able to actively source the passive candidates who have been involved in new model development across vanilla, exotic and hybrids desks. Our candidates are thoroughly tested on their mathematics, programming but often more importantly the ability to communicate complex derivative pricing methodology in a clear and concise way.

Quantitative Strategists / Research

We have experience recruiting Quantitative Strategists and Researchers on both the buy side and the sell side, and understand the importance of these candidates in creating trading strategies and recommendations which are vital to a successful trading operation. We look out for candidates with an excellent statistical and economet-ric skill set as well as the ability to look at the larger implication of micro level quant work.

Quant Development & Library Architects

Recruiting into the Quant �eld, we understand the importance of Quantitative Technologists within the Front O�ce. Our team have had various assignments to source top level Quantitative Developers and Library Architects onto Front O�ce desks. We understand the di�erences between a pure Quant and a Quant Developer and utilise our expertise to source the best candidates in the market. We endeavour to �nd specialists with an exceptional numerical background and passion for technology.

Area of Specialism: Technology

Oliver James Associates Quant and Technology team specialises in placing Developers, Engineers and Programmers across Investment Banking, Electronic & High Frequency Trading Firms, Proprietary Trading Firms, Asset Management and Hedge Funds. Due to our intrinsic knowledge in the �eld of technology, our clients trust us with assignments to �nd the best programmers and developers with experience either inside or outside of the industry.

Front O�ce Development & Implementation

We cover Object Oriented coders in Java, C++ or C#, however the team also focuses attention on numerical and functional programming. We work across all asset classes, varying trading systems and resource at all levels of seniority.

High Frequency & Algorithmic Trading Technologists

Oliver James Associates has identi�ed the High Frequency & Algorithmic Trading space as a major growth area for a number of our clients. With a comprehensive network of exceptional development pro�les, we are able to distinguish whether a candidate will be suitable for a role within this area. The team will actively head hunt top candi-dates from within the industry and locate exceptional talent from outside looking to begin their career within this highly exciting business area.

Area of Specialism: Quantitative Risk

Over the last few years there has been a very high demand for quantitative talent in risk modelling teams. Many Quant’s �nd the more research and simulation element of risk modelling intellectually stimulating and we endeavour to indentify the talent with this mindset as well as the right technical capability.

We have experience of placing Quants and Technologists into the following broad areas of quant risk:

Model Validation

Working with some of the very best Derivative Model Validation teams in the market we approach the very best active and passive candidates that not only validate and document �ndings but build their own benchmarking models to implement to the analytics library.

Credit Risk Modelling

Currently a very hot topic with new capital requirements and the preparations for Basel III. We have kept up to date with all the latest requirements in the world of CVA, PD & LGD modelling and Credit portfolio management, to ensure we understand what our clients are looking for.

Market Risk Modelling Our team have placed people in all areas of VaR modelling and quantitative risk professionals dealing with particular markets and asset classes.

Recruitment Methodology

To ensure a successful conclusion to a recruitment assignment, it is essential that it begins with an in-depth consultation with the client. When Oliver James Associates takes on any recruitment assignment, it is imperative that the initial consultation provides us with detailed information in order to attract the client the best possible candidates within the market. Key points to be covered shall include;

An analysis of the businessCompetitor benchmarkingUnderstanding of the job speci�cationShort/medium/long-term goals of the positionReporting linesPromotional prospectsCulture of team/departmentRemuneration packageInterview processes Company strategyPro�le of the desired candidate

Oliver James Associates are in a position to truly consult with you. We will be able to provide you with an understanding of the current market place, market remuneration packages, availability of individuals in the industry, your positioning within the market place and how best to position yourself to attract the best quality of talent available.

Consultation

Our thorough search methodology is comprised of the following:

HeadhuntingThis is our key activity and is what sets us apart from our competitors. We invest a lot of time in networking and headhunting high-calibre candidates that have the necessary skills for the job. The �gure for our headhunting skills speak for themselves: so far 74% of all our successful mandates have been made through proactive resourcing.

ReferralsWe nurture our business and our relationships to yield the best possible results for our clients and our candidates. Our reputation for success, professional approach and consultative ability has gifted Oliver James Associates with an exemplary referral network, providing easy access to usually unobtainable talent within the �nancial services market.

AdvertisingWe advertise across all forms of recruitment medium to attract proactive seekers of new appointments within the �nancial services market.

Active and passive candidatesThe results of our headhunting and other candidate-sourcing activities are stored in our extensive database, which is speci�cally tailored to the �nancial services market and allows us to make advanced searches based on criteria speci�c to the needs of the client.

Our careful searching allows us to fully penetrate the market and source the best candidates to suit our clients’ roles.

Search

All candidates generated through head-hunting, referrals and responses to advertisements are amalgamated with our extensive database. Our current database consists of a signi�cant volume of high calibre active and passive �nancial services professionals. It is our ability to intricately map the �nancial services market that provides Oliver James Associates with leverage that separates us from our competition.

A selection process then occurs between the relevant vertical market consultants to discuss their most suitable candidates. We then complete the following steps:

We contact the relevant candidates to discuss the client, the team and the role, supplying them with the formal job speci�cation.

We assess their suitability to the role, re-con�rm their current situation and ensure that we have their most up-to-date CV.

Once we have quali�ed their suitability and interest, we obtain written con�rmation that Oliver James Associates is representing them for the role.

We will then create a shortlist which we will subsequently present to our client. We also save our clients a lot of the legwork: we carry out referencing checks and screening services on their behalf.

Selection

Candidates will be presented to the client via a curriculum vitae and candidate synopsis. It is this additional synopsis which provides the client with a summary of;

Current remunerationFinancial expectations Notice periodCareer aspirationsCharacter assessmentReasons for interest in the opportunity and businessMotivations for leaving current employerSummary of relevant experienceCurrent activity of the candidate in the recruitment market place

Once we have reached an agreement with the client over the suitable candidates that they wish to interview, we coordinate the interviews at all stages, preparing our candidates accordingly, recon�rming their interest at all stages, understanding any concerns that need addressing and ensuring that the risk of any unexpected decision changes are minimised.

In a competitive market place, it is imperative that after each successful interview we provide our client with comprehensive feedback. Quality feedback provides our clients with a deeper understanding of a candidate’s feelings and expectations. Greater knowledge produces a greater success ratio.

Presentation & Interview

Our consultants will o�er you guidance about how to achieve the best possible o�er to secure the selected candidate without unnecessary negotiations. We will provide the chosen candidates with the o�er and provide guidance and manage the process of accepting the o�er, possible counter o�ers and negotiation of notice periods.

O�er Management

From acceptance of an o�er to the start date, a void of communication can occur and momentum can break down. It is at this time that a good consultancy has the foresight and professionalism to keep the process moving towards its ultimate and successful conclusion. We will liaise with both parties, providing any advice that may be required, meeting the candidate again, and assisting the candidate with anything we can, for example relocation issues.

Post Acceptance

Copyright Oliver James Associates 2011

Key Contact Details

Bradley SharpSenior ConsultantQuant Analytics & Technologybradley.sharp@ojassociates.com+44 (0) 207 310 8653

Bradley was brought on board by Oliver James Associates in 2011 to build out the Front O�ce Development and Quantitative Technology market. Having previously worked for a large contingency �rm as well as a start-up search consultancy, Bradley brings a wealth of recruitment experience placing candidates into the major �nancial organisations. Due to his ability to build great rapport, coupled with a true passion and understanding of his �eld, he has established a comprehensive network of contacts and relationships within the Banking and Finance sector.

Trevor SymonsSenior ConsultantQuantitative Financetrevor.symons@ojassociates.com+44 (0) 207 310 8650

Trevor specialises in all aspects of Quantitative �nance in the front and middle o�ce and has a number of years experience working in the sector. Formerly the Manager of the Quantitative Practice at a large recruitment �rm, Trevor joined the Banking team at Oliver James Associates in 2011, with the goal of o�ering a true consultative approach to a very niche market. Having placed candidates of all levels across Europe, the US and Asia, Trevor has an excellent global view of the quant market and is one of the few vertical specialists in the industry.