IMC Trading

Pretty open, teams talk to each other and there aren't hard silos between different trading desks or offices.

Rewards innovation and people getting things done on their own initiative.

Has some excellent teams and gives managers freedom to run teams the way they think is best.

Is at the forefront of low latency trading technology, so there are many interesting trading and technical problems.

The Sydney office has a great view (for the moment).

Decent work-life balance, assuming you can deal with the occasional spikes in workload due to trading conditions. Any weekend work gets time in lieu, and it's rare that it happens at all depending on the team.

Strong sense of identity and working towards a common goal.

Priorities are always driven by trading desks (both a pro and a con).

Nice office, top-quality fit-out, standing desks, Aeron chairs, 4K monitors, free snacks and drinks (and Friday drinks).

Subsidized gym membership and internal gym sessions.

Charity events both at a company level and for individual teams.

• Growing very fast at the moment (as of 2020).
• Has a focus on short-term results, at the expense of long-term goals.
• Very little appreciation for maintenance; projects are completed and then never touched again, even if they probably need more time and effort as times change.
• Communication from management has decreased in quality over time as size has increased.
• No longer feels like a lean, scrappy team; much more corporate.
• Zero transparency on bonuses.
• Priorities are always driven by trading desks (both a pro and a con).
• Very top-down decision-making for large projects.
• Tenure matters far more than is obvious from the outside or for a new person to the company would be told.

Don't let the good ones leave.