Head Of Market Data - #2111647

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Market Data to join a highly successful proprietary trading firm at the forefront of global financial markets.

This is a pivotal leadership role offering the opportunity to shape the firm's market data strategy, commercial direction and governance framework, ensuring the business has access to the data it needs to support trading, research and continued growth.

Working closely with senior leaders across Trading, Technology, Legal, Compliance and Finance, you'll lead the firm's market data function, taking ownership of vendor relationships, commercial negotiations, licensing, governance, cost optimisation and the evaluation of new data sources.

This position offers significant visibility across the organisation, genuine strategic influence and the opportunity to make a measurable impact within a fast-paced, technology-led trading environment. It is accompanied by a highly competitive remuneration package, including an excellent base salary, discretionary bonus and market-leading benefits.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership, you will define and execute the firm's market data strategy, ensuring it evolves alongside the business and supports discretionary trading, quantitative research, systematic strategies and market making.

You will drive best practice across market data governance, licensing compliance, vendor management and operational excellence, while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, AI and emerging technologies.

As the firm's market data expert, you will provide strategic guidance across the organisation, partnering with business and technology stakeholders to deliver commercially effective, scalable and compliant market data solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the firm's market data strategy, aligning data capabilities with business objectives and future growth.
• Lead commercial relationships with exchanges, vendors and market data providers, negotiating licensing agreements, commercial terms and renewals.
• Own the market data budget, identifying opportunities to optimise costs while maintaining high-quality data services.
• Ensure compliance with exchange licensing obligations, contractual commitments and regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvements across governance, reporting, inventory management and operational processes.
• Partner with Technology teams to automate workflows and enhance market data management capabilities.
• Identify, assess and procure both traditional and alternative data sources to support trading, research and quantitative strategies.
• Act as the firm's subject matter expert for all market data matters, advising stakeholders across Trading, Technology, Legal, Compliance and Finance.
• Monitor industry developments, exchange policy changes and emerging technologies to ensure the firm's market data capability remains best in class.

About You

You'll bring 7+ years experience within Market Data Management, Market Data Licensing or Vendor Management gained within a proprietary trading firm, hedge fund, investment bank, exchange, financial technology business, market data vendor or consultancy.

You'll possess an in-depth understanding of market data licensing models, exchange policies and commercial agreements, together with a proven track record of negotiating complex contracts with leading global vendors and exchanges such as Bloomberg, LSEG (Refinitiv), ICE, CME or similar organisations.

You'll have experience building, developing or transforming a market data function, improving governance frameworks and operational processes, while partnering effectively with both business and technology stakeholders.

Experience with market data inventory platforms such as TRG Screen, Alveo or similar solutions would be advantageous, as would exposure to AI-driven technologies and automation used to improve market data operations and reporting.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgement.
• Outstanding negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence senior business leaders across multiple functions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Comfortable operating autonomously within a fast-paced trading environment.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Passion for leveraging AI and emerging technologies to improve efficiency and innovation.

What's on Offer

• An influential leadership role within one of the industry's most respected proprietary trading firms.
• The opportunity to shape and lead the firm's market data strategy.
• Exposure to senior decision-makers and highly sophisticated trading teams.
• A collaborative, technology-driven environment where innovation is encouraged.
• An excellent remuneration package comprising a highly competitive base salary, substantial discretionary bonus and comprehensive benefits.
• Hybrid working (4 days in the London office).
• Outstanding long-term career progression and the opportunity to make a genuine impact.