Financial Trader

Job Summary

The Portfolio Optimization team at Symmetry is part of the Supply group and is primarily responsible for supporting the Sales organization by managing positions and risk associated with fixed priced transactions. The team also supports the Symmetry organization with market fundamentals and quantitative analysis.

The Financial Trader role reports to the Manager of Portfolio Optimization and supports the goals of the whole team. Specifically, the Financial Trader will execute financial contracts for natural gas and maximize value from such transactions while minimizing risk, utilizing analytical and financial skills along with a comprehensive knowledge of gas commodity markets and physical operations. Additionally, they will utilize market knowledge to develop and present market fundamentals research to various stakeholders and utilize analytical skills to assist in modelling, valuing, and managing more complex structured products and/or physical assets.

The Financial Trader role may work a Hybrid work schedule based out of Houston, TX or Tulsa, OK.

Essential Functions

Financial Trading

• Buy and sell, as required, financial contracts via exchange (ICE & CME) and Over the Counter ("OTC") counterparties to manage Symmetry’s price exposure, primarily from sales to retail customers.
• Provide forward price curves for natural gas, both Henry Hub futures and locational basis futures.
• Route external execution to exchange or OTC based on costs, liquidity, and credit.
• Develop and maintain relationships with exchange brokers.
• Understand and validate positions from internal deal capture process by working with Sales, Supply, IT, and Risk.
• Adhere to Value-at-Risk (VaR) limits and corporate Risk Policy.
• Set proper liquidity and risk premiums to support pricing.
• Work with physical traders to understand the influence of existing assets and physical supply on term price risk and position management.

Market Fundamentals and Quantitative Analysis

• Develop fundamental analysis that allows for better decision-making and optimization.
• Research and present market commentary to internal and external customers, in both written and presentation formats.
• Provide reports to help develop a point of view on price and basis movement.
• Track current market value of options, including implied volatility.
• Work together with the organization to properly model and forecast forward value and exposure.
• As required, provide input into unique deal structures.
• Develop and maintain internal models and tools for pricing, trading, and analysis.

Admin/Misc

• Be sure all deals are entered by risk control deadlines and reconciled to daily risk control reports.
• Maintain current knowledge of Symmetry's commodity portfolio.
• Maintain a strong knowledge of Symmetry’s deal entry and risk systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification/Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or engineering and at least 3 years of experience in gas trading or analysis activities.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in finance or quantitative field.
• Knowledge of financial products including natural gas basis and outright Nymex futures & transacting through both an exchange and over the counter.
• Able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of risk management tools, demonstrated analytical and financial skills, and able to develop and tactically execute business strategies.
• Experience working with large amounts of data and able to use software tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI, Python) to help analyze data.
• Understanding of the energy industry and drivers of commodity prices.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics

• Able to demonstrate and apply excellent oral and written communication skills in English, utilizing clear and concise language.
• Able to prioritize and schedule tasks, pay attention to detail, and demonstrate good time management and organizational skills.
• Able to use PC software proficiently, including software for data analytics and advanced spreadsheets
• Able to simultaneously work on multiple tasks within tight time deadlines.
• Able to demonstrate commitment to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Company’s Ethics and Compliance Code of Conduct, and other Company policies and procedures and do so consistently, and to take all required training courses in a timely fashion.
• Able to consistently demonstrate respect for all individuals and adhere to the Company’s values and business practices.
• Understanding of commodity option price models (e.g. Black-Scholes), quantitative risk metrics (e.g. Value-at-Risk, volatility, correlation), and general finance concepts (e.g. time value of money, interest rates, derivatives).

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

• Able to reach, grasp, and move items.
• Able to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and understanding the English language.
• Able to work in a fast-paced office environment with deadlines that may require more than 40 hours per week.
• Able to work indoors, in an office environment, regardless of whether open office, cubicle, or private office.
• Able to travel occasionally (possibly overnight) to attend meetings and/or conferences when required.

Symmetry Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodation to complete the application, please email us at recruiting@symmetryenergy.com.