Posted 24 minutes ago
Overview:
- A well-known Chinese investment bank in Hong Kong, backed by a major Chinese banking group, is seeking an accomplished and strategic leader to establish and head its new Equities Sales & Trading department from the ground up. This foundational role combines hands-on build-out leadership with strategic advisory responsibilities to senior management on the department’s business roadmap.
- The successful candidate will advise on which activities to prioritize (such as market making, facilitation, and equity-linked structured products) and which to deprioritize, while initially focusing on Hong Kong cash equities. Access to the group’s institutional clients and resources provides a meaningful advantage for building a sustainable and profitable operation with a small team.
Responsibility:
- Lead the full set-up of the new Equities Sales & Trading department from scratch — including organizational design, team build-out, process implementation, technology and infrastructure requirements, and establishment of all operational and risk frameworks.
- Advise senior management on the department’s overall business roadmap, including recommendations on which products and activities to prioritize (such as market making, client facilitation, and equity-linked structured products) and which areas to deprioritize or avoid during the initial build-out phase, with the objective of building a sustainable and profitable operating model.
- Design and implement the overall strategy, organizational structure, and operating model for the Equities Sales & Trading function, including defining the profitability framework in close collaboration with the Chairman and senior leadership.
- Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-caliber team of sales, trading, and support professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and client-centricity.
- Leverage the firm’s strong existing institutional client relationships within the broader bank group network (including Stock Connect participants), while actively expanding coverage to long-only funds, hedge funds, and family offices active in the Hong Kong equities market.
- Oversee end-to-end equities sales and trading activities, including high-touch and low-touch execution, agency and principal trading, block trading, VWAP/TWAP strategies, and smart order routing, while ensuring best execution, competitive pricing, and robust market and credit risk management (delta, gamma, VaR).
- Drive revenue growth through proactive institutional coverage, market-making in HK-listed names, block and program trading, equity-linked structured products, and the introduction of value-added services such as TCA reporting, algorithmic execution, and cross-border solutions via Stock Connect.
- Integrate seamlessly with the firm’s existing research, corporate finance, and asset management teams to deliver holistic, cross-product solutions to clients.
- Establish robust policies, procedures, and controls covering best execution obligations, conflict management, client asset protection, and market abuse prevention in line with the SFC Code of Conduct and Guidelines on Best Execution.
- Monitor P&L performance, market developments, and competitive dynamics, providing regular strategic updates and recommendations to senior management.
- Identify opportunities for business expansion and product innovation aligned with the firm’s long-term vision for its equities franchise.
Requirement:
- Minimum 12+ years of progressive experience in equities sales, trading, or related capital markets roles within reputable investment banks or securities houses, with substantial exposure to the Hong Kong stock market.
- Proven track record of successfully in managing equities sales & trading desks or business lines.
- Deep understanding of HKEX market microstructure, CCASS/HKSCC settlement, Northbound Stock Connect mechanics, common order types (limit, iceberg, VWAP/TWAP), smart order routing, and both high-touch and low-touch execution.
- Managing network of relationships across the buy-side community (asset managers, hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, family offices) in Hong Kong and the region.
- Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders, including Chairmen and Boards, to define commercial strategies, operating models, and profitability frameworks.
- Strong knowledge of the SFC Code of Conduct, Guidelines on Best Execution, client asset protection rules, and market abuse prevention requirements.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with fluency in Mandarin.
