Head of Connectivity

As the Head of Connectivity at BHFT, your responsibilities will encompass overseeing and optimizing trading infrastructure, managing external communications with exchanges and brokers, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. You will play a key role in bridging technology with trading needs, documenting requirements clearly, and advising on best practices for risk management. Your ability to identify and mitigate technology-related risks will be essential to maintaining efficient trading operations.

To qualify for the Head of Connectivity role at BHFT, you should have at least 5 years of trading experience with a focus on exchange connectivity. Strong knowledge of algorithmic trading, market infrastructure, and regulatory requirements such as MiFID II is also crucial. In addition, candidates should possess leadership experience with a proven track record in managing teams, alongside technical skills in programming languages such as C++ or Rust. Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset will also be important to succeed in this role.

BHFT embraces a 100% remote work model, allowing the Head of Connectivity to operate from any location in the world. This flexibility enables you to balance professional and personal commitments, while staying engaged with a global team of over 200 professionals. Regular communication and transparency are key elements of our remote culture, ensuring that all team members feel connected and supported regardless of where they are working from.

As the Head of Connectivity at BHFT, you will have access to exceptional opportunities for professional growth and self-realization. We encourage continuous learning, and you will be supported in your development through training programs and resources. The dynamic nature of our company allows you to experiment with new technologies, engage in innovative projects, and cultivate your career in algorithmic trading and technology.

At BHFT, the team structure is collaborative and supportive, comprising a diverse group of over 200 professionals. As the Head of Connectivity, you would work closely with various teams, including developers, traders, risk managers, and compliance experts. This teamwork fosters an environment where open communication is encouraged, helping you implement your vision for our gateway solutions and optimize our trading infrastructure effectively.

Trading infrastructure is vital in algorithmic trading as it directly impacts the speed and reliability of trade execution. In your answer, highlight how low-latency protocols and quality market connectivity can enhance trading performance. Additionally, elaborate on your experiences optimizing infrastructure and how that improved execution quality and risk management.

As the Head of Connectivity, you should focus on compliance with regulations such as MiFID II, ARTEC, and CFTC requirements. Discuss your understanding of these regulations and any hands-on experience with implementing compliance measures. Highlight the importance of staying abreast of changing regulations and your strategies for ensuring continuous compliance.

In managing a technical backlog, it’s crucial to prioritize tasks based on urgency and business value. Discuss your methods for assessing project significance and how you maintain clear communication with both traders and developers to ensure everyone is aligned on priorities. Providing examples from previous experiences can strengthen your response.

In a connectivity failure, your immediate response should be to assess the situation quickly and communicate transparently with the team. Discuss your protocol for diagnostics and remediation, and how you would coordinate with both technical staff and traders to minimize impact. Your ability to remain calm and focused in high-pressure situations will be crucial.

Low-latency protocols such as ITCH/OUCH are critical in maximizing trading speed. In your answer, detail your familiarity with these protocols and any specific implementations or optimizations you’ve worked on. Discuss how your technical knowledge can directly benefit BHFT’s trading operations.

Staying current on market connectivity trends involves continuous research and networking with industry professionals. In your response, mention the resources you use such as industry reports, webinars, and relevant conferences. Highlight that your proactive approach to learning will help BHFT maintain competitive advantage.

In managing a technical team, I adopt an inclusive leadership style that values collaboration and open communication. Speak about how you encourage team members to share ideas and feedback, fostering an environment where innovation thrives. Give examples of how this style has positively impacted past projects and team dynamics.

Balancing technical and trading needs requires understanding both perspectives clearly. Discuss your approach to stakeholder engagement, ensuring that traders' needs are incorporated into technical solutions. Highlight your experience in conflict resolution and prioritizing tasks that bring the most value to both traders and the technology team.

Challenges in trading connectivity often relate to integration with new exchanges or ensuring compliance. Share specific examples of challenges you faced and the innovative solutions you implemented. Emphasize your problem-solving skills and ability to learn from experiences to improve connectivity operations.

To ensure clarity in technical specifications, I focus on documentation that translates technical jargon into clear language relevant for traders and developers. Discuss your strategies for creating effective documentation and mention any tools you use to facilitate better communication across teams. Highlight how this approach helps align technical and trading objectives effectively.