Head of Market Data | Global Trading Firm
A leading proprietary trading and market‑making firm is seeking a Head of Market Data to own the firm's global market data strategy and operating model. The role is responsible for all commercial, strategic, and governance aspects of market data, partnering closely with trading, technology, legal, compliance, and finance teams.
This is a senior role requiring deep expertise in market data licensing, vendor negotiations, and exchange policy, alongside the ability to operate strategically while driving operational excellence.
Role Overview
You will define and execute the firm's end‑to‑end market data strategy, covering vendor selection, cost management, data governance, and support for discretionary trading, systematic/quantitative strategies, and options market making. The role acts as the internal subject‑matter expert for all market data matters and provides senior‑level guidance to the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and deliver the market data strategy, including sourcing, vendor diversification, cost optimisation, and alignment with business growth.
- Lead all commercial and contractual relationships with exchanges and data vendors, including complex licensing negotiations, renewals, audits, and budget ownership.
- Oversee market data governance, compliance, and risk management, ensuring adherence to licensing obligations and regulatory requirements.
- Drive improvements to market data processes, reporting, inventory, and usage transparency, working closely with technology teams on automation where possible.
- Act as the primary senior stakeholder for market data across trading desks, technology, legal, compliance, and finance.
- Identify and evaluate traditional and alternative data sources to support trading and quantitative research.
Requirements
- 7+ years' experience in market data policy, licensing, or vendor management within a proprietary trading firm, hedge fund, exchange, vendor, consultancy, or similar environment.
- Proven track record negotiating market data agreements with major providers and exchanges (e.g. Bloomberg, Refinitiv, ICE, CME, LSE).
- Demonstrable experience building, leading, or significantly enhancing a market data function.
- Strong understanding of market data licensing models, exchange rules, and regulatory considerations.
- Ability to operate credibly with senior stakeholders and influence across trading and technology teams.
- Experience with market data inventory or management platforms is beneficial.
If you feel this role is a good match to your background, apply today!
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