Trading Recruitment Across Canada

Trading covers a wide set of markets, from equities and fixed income to FX, commodities, derivatives and electronic products. Desks need people who manage risk, act quickly and work with accuracy in volatile conditions. Selby Jennings connects firms with talent across delta one, equity trading, fixed income, FX, commodities, derivatives, structured products and quant trading.

We support hiring for traders, quants, execution specialists and analysts who understand their markets and keep strategies running cleanly. This includes coverage across oil and gas, power, agricultural products, metals, index products, swaps, futures and electronic execution.

Competition for trading talent remains high, so firms rely on our market knowledge and direct search approach. We help you hire people who match your product set and risk profile so your desk operates at pace without hiring gaps.

Tailored recruitment solutions

Trading desks face pressure to hire people who can operate cleanly in fast markets. Selby Jennings builds search strategies around your desk structure and objectives. We support permanent and contract roles with a direct approach that delivers suitable candidates at pace.

Expertise across trading markets

We recruit across equities, fixed income, FX, commodities, derivatives and electronic trading. Our experience helps us identify traders, quants and analysts with the technical skill and market awareness needed to perform in high-pressure trading environments.

Access to specialist trading talent

Strong candidates often move through private networks rather than public channels. Our reach across local and global markets gives clients access to specialists in delta one, equity, credit, energy, metals, softs and electronic execution. This improves shortlist quality and reduces the time desks spend searching for the right match.

End-to-end support

We keep the hiring process clear and efficient, from early insight to final selection. Our focus on desk fit, technical skill and long-term performance helps new hires settle quickly and contribute with minimal disruption.

We connect trading firms across the USA with high-performing professionals in trading, risk, analytics, operations and commercial strategy. Our recruiters specialise in talent with strong product knowledge across equities, fixed income, FX, commodities, derivatives and electronic trading, from junior to executive level.

We recruit across:

• Front office trading
  Traders in delta one, equities, credit, FX, commodities, derivatives, power, metals and agricultural products.
• Market risk and credit risk
  Risk managers skilled in pricing models, VaR, PnL attribution, stress testing and counterparty assessment.
• Quantitative and fundamental analytics
  Quants and analysts supporting desks with modelling, execution logic, market intelligence and forecasting.
• Operations and middle office
  Trade support, booking, settlements, confirmations, scheduling and logistics for global markets.
• Commercial strategy and business development
  Professionals focused on client coverage, origination, deal structures and product strategy.
• Technology and data engineering
  Engineering talent building trading tools, execution platforms, data pipelines and risk technology.

If you are growing your trading team, speak with a specialist recruiter today.

Request a call back to discuss your hiring needs and secure the talent that will drive your desk forward.

Selby Jennings offers various workforce solutions tailored to your specific objectives.

• Permanent hires - Our permanent search service, whether through contingent or retained trading recruitment, helps you secure the professionals who can truly make an impact.
• Contract hires - Our extensive network of contractors and interim managers integrate seamlessly into companies to drive short-term goals.
• Multi-hire projects - We take a consultative approach with our clients, managing the entire recruitment process from sourcing to hiring across the whole project.

We support hiring across front office traders in equities, fixed income, FX, commodities, and derivatives, as well as quantitative traders and researchers, trading analysts, desk support, and execution and electronic trading specialists.

The market is tight, particularly in Toronto and Montreal. Demand is high for quant-driven profiles, electronic and algorithmic trading talent, and candidates with strong programming skills such as Python and C++. Top candidates often receive multiple offers and move quickly.

Compensation varies by asset class and firm type. Analysts typically earn between CAD 80,000 and 120,000 plus bonus. Associates range from CAD 120,000 to 180,000 plus bonus. VP-level and above can earn from CAD 180,000 to 350,000 or more, with bonus forming a significant portion of total compensation.

Mid-level roles usually take between four and eight weeks to fill. Senior or niche roles can take eight to twelve weeks or longer. Delays are often due to competition for top candidates and slow internal processes.

Employers look for strong quantitative and analytical ability, programming skills in languages such as Python, C++, or Java, experience with electronic trading platforms, and a solid understanding of risk management and market structure.

Yes, we work with investment banks, hedge funds, asset managers, and proprietary trading firms across Canada.

We provide market mapping, talent benchmarking, and compensation guidance. Candidates are pre-screened to match desk strategy, and we share insight into motivations and potential retention risks.

Yes, we manage confidential replacements, team build-outs, and time-sensitive hiring. The focus is on speed while maintaining candidate quality.

We support trading recruitment across Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary, with access to both local and international talent pools.

Request a call back to discuss your hiring needs. We will provide initial market insight and outline a clear approach to securing trading talent in Canada.