Technical Project Manager (Trading)

Who we are

Optiver is a global market maker founded in Amsterdam, with offices in London, Chicago, Austin, New York, Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei and Mumbai. Established in 1986, today we are a leading liquidity provider, with close to 2,000 employees in offices around the world, united in our commitment to improve the market through competitive pricing, execution and risk management. By providing liquidity on multiple exchanges across the world in various financial instruments we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets. We provide liquidity to financial markets using our own capital, at our own risk, trading a wide range of products: listed derivatives, cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign currencies.

Optiver’s Sydney office is one of the primary players within Asian markets, trading a range of products. Established in 1996, we're an active participant on the Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Japan exchanges, and act as Optiver’s APAC head office.

What you'll do

As an IT Project Manager, your challenge will be to drive projects and programs that expand Optiver’s trading footprint and evolve the core systems that underpin our global trading platform. This includes delivering high-value strategic initiatives that enable new markets, asset classes, and products, while strengthening the foundational software that supports trading at scale.

You’ll work closely with high-performing engineering and trading teams to turn strategy into delivery, ensuring Optiver’s systems evolve with speed, reliability, and precision.

In Optiver’s fast-paced environment, you will partner with engineers, traders, and business leaders to deliver multiple concurrent projects that support the firm’s strategic growth.

You will operate as part of the Global PMO, collaborating with stakeholders across Optiver’s global offices. You will also contribute to maturing PMO practices through improved processes and governance, while identifying opportunities to enhance the value the PMO delivers to the business.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead delivery of large-scale technology projects and programs across trading expansion and core trading systems (e.g. instruments, trades, positions, control systems)

• Maintain strong delivery discipline and operational excellence in a fast-moving, performance-critical environment, with a focus on outcomes over process

• Partner with engineering, trading, research, control, and senior leadership to align delivery with trading strategy

• Build and manage relationships with external partners (e.g. exchanges, brokers, vendors) to achieve optimal outcomes for Optiver

• Apply data-driven insights to program prioritisation, sequencing, and decision-making

• Drive continuous improvement in planning and execution practices across project teams, the broader business, and the Global PMO

Who you are​

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• 7+ years of experience in capital markets, financial services, or fintech, ideally in technical project management or adjacent engineering roles

• A solid understanding of technology fundamentals (e.g. infrastructure, systems engineering, networking, or software development)

• Understanding of the trade lifecycle and trading operations; exposure to low-latency or high-frequency trading environments is a plus

• Proven experience delivering business-critical, cross-functional programs in complex and ambiguous environments (e.g. new market entry, product launches, trading initiatives)

• Demonstrated ability to improve program management practices to optimise delivery and reduce unnecessary overhead

• Strong ability to operate across teams and functions without direct authority, influencing stakeholders effectively

• Ability to build trusted relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders

• Interest in leveraging AI (e.g. generative or agentic tools) to improve workflows, visibility, and productivity

• You are a self-motivated and fast learner who thrives in a fast-paced environment and operates with minimal oversight. You take ownership, show initiative, manage priorities effectively, and maintain momentum even when direction is not fully defined.

What you’ll get

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers. Driven by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle some of the most complex problems in the financial markets.

In return for your expertise, you will have access to a range of Optiver perks, including:

• A performance-based bonus structure unmatched anywhere in the industry. We combine our profits across desks, teams and offices into a global profit pool, fostering a truly collaborative environment.

• The chance to work alongside diverse and intelligent peers in a rewarding environment.

• Training, mentorship and personal development opportunities.

• Daily breakfast, lunch and an in-house barista.

• Gym membership plus weekly in-house chair massages.

• Regular social events, including a company trip every two years.

• Guided relocation, a competitive relocation package and visa sponsorship where necessary.

Diversity

Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process.

Questions? Get in touch with the recruitment team at careers@optiver.com.au.