This case study highlights GQR's targeted recruitment strategy for a high-frequency trading (HFT) firm looking to expand by attracting top Portfolio Managers from competitors. Despite industry challenges, GQR's deep market insights and innovative approaches enabled successful placements that significantly boosted the client’s profitability and operational capabilities.
Challenge
Client's Goal: Develop a new business platform to establish multiple trading desks led by top Portfolio Managers from rival high-frequency trading (HFT) firms
Industry Issue: Many competitors have failed to attract the desired talent or sustain long enough to establish a successful track record
Objectives
Specialized Recruitment: Identify and engage leading Portfolio Managers at competing firms, demonstrating the benefits of transitioning to our client’s platform
Candidate Comfort: Targeted talent is well-compensated and typically cautious about discussing opportunities with recruiters or internal recruitment teams
Solutions
Market Mapping: Analyzed the competitive landscape to identify the most successful trading pods, refining our target candidate list
Strategic Engagement: Utilized informal meetings with our client's CEO to build trust and open dialogues, setting the stage for formal recruitment
Market Intelligence: Leveraged deep insights into the proprietary trading market, offering a comparative analysis of potential opportunities for candidates, which distinguished our services from standard recruitment approaches
Results
Successful Placements: Over four years, partnered with over a dozen Portfolio Managers, significantly enhancing the client's business operations and profitability
Enhanced Client Operations: These managers have since established robust trading businesses, generating substantial annual profits
Key Metrics
Financial Impact
Since improving our partnership in 2018, we've seen about $1.5 million in gross profit from recruitment activities, averaging approximately $300,000 annually
Engagement Success
Extended 10-15 offers since 2018, with 2-3 offers annually resulting in significant profit contributions from hired Portfolio Managers
What Our Clients Say
"Working with Joel from GQR has transformed our recruitment strategy. His dedication and understanding of our business needs have made GQR our top recruitment partner."
- Head of Trading, Partner at a US-based HFT firm.
