Head of Market Data

Maven is a market-leading proprietary trading firm deploying its own capital across discretionary, systematic, and market-making strategies. Backed by deep expertise in trading, technology, and research, we are relentlessly focused on improving liquidity across global listed derivatives. Through advanced execution and pricing technologies, we improve how financial markets operate.

The Head of Market Data is responsible for the development and execution of Maven's market data strategy, requirements, and vendor negotiations. Working with the wider business stakeholders, the Head of Market Data will manage all commercial, strategic, and administrative aspects of the market data lifecycle, collaborating closely with technology counterparts who are responsible for data delivery and any technical requirements.

This position requires a keen understanding of the global market data industry, including market data policies, business models, and pricing, as well as a solid understanding of Maven's strategy and objectives as far as they relate to market data. The role will require a strong balance of strategic vision, commercial outlook, and operational expertise to provide the most optimum platform for growth with minimal risk.

This position will sit in London, reporting into the Chief Legal Officer and working closely with business and technology stakeholders. It is a full-time permanent role and remuneration comprises an annual base salary depending on experience plus a discretionary bonus.

Hybrid working: 4 days a week in the office

Role Responsibilities:

Data Strategy & Leadership

• Development and ownership of Maven's overarching Market Data Strategy, including a roadmap for data sourcing, cost management, vendor diversification, and alignment with business growth objectives;
• Understanding the distinct market data requirements across Maven's business areas, including discretionary trading, systematic/quantitative trading, and options market making;
• Defining and tracking KPIs for the market data function, reporting progress to senior management;
• Acting as Maven's subject matter expert and internal advisor on all market data matters.

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Review and optimisation of existing market data processes, workflows, and governance frameworks, identifying inefficiencies and implementing improvements;
• Complete management of monthly data reporting, annual licensing, and exchange audits, collaborating with technology to achieve automation where possible;
• Management of Maven's data catalogue, raising its profile with business users as a tool to review available data sets;
• Understanding technical, industry, regulatory, trading, and business operations detail and its impact to support business decision-making.
• Creation of a data inventory for use by Maven staff, indexing all data usage across the business

Commercial & Vendor Management

• Deep technical understanding of market data licensing across all global exchanges that Maven is active on;
• Negotiation and management of all market data vendor contracts, ensuring commercially optimal terms;
• Identifying opportunities to achieve cost optimisation and enhance service levels;
• Ownership and management of the market data budget, including forecasting, tracking spend, and reporting to senior management;
• Establishing, maintaining, and developing relationships with industry contacts and key third-party data vendors;
• Evaluation and procurement of alternative data sources (e.g., sentiment data, satellite data, web-scraped data) to support quantitative and systematic trading strategies;
• Proactively identifying further opportunities for new and alternative data sets and their possible use cases within Maven.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensuring compliance with all market data licensing obligations, regulatory requirements, and internal governance standards;
• Management of market data-related risks including licensing non-compliance, audit exposure, and contractual obligations;
• Deep understanding of Maven's use and interaction with all types of data, ensuring appropriate controls and documentation are in place.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Stakeholder management across Trading Desks, Technology/Engineering, Legal, Compliance, and Finance;
• Coordination of market data-related communication and collaboration with trading, development, and operational teams globally across the organisation;
• Attendance at industry events, conferences, and meetings to build business intelligence and maintain contacts.

Candidate Specifications:

• At least 7 years' experience gained within market data policy and licensing at a data or technology vendor, proprietary trading firm, exchange, fund manager, audit or due diligence firm, or management consultancy;
• Proven track record of negotiating complex data licensing agreements with major vendors (e.g., Bloomberg, LSE/Refinitiv, ICE, CME);
• Demonstrable experience of building or significantly improving a market data function, including strategy development and process improvement;
• Experience with data management platforms, market data inventory tools (e.g., TRG Screen, Alveo), or equivalent.
• Experience leveraging AI and machine learning tools to enhance data management processes, automate workflows, or support data-driven decision-making.

Knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge in market data policy and licensing, plus at least one of the following key areas:
• I.T. operations and infrastructure
• Financial products, particularly equities, futures, and options
• Securities exchanges
• Compliance and regulation
• Legal contract review

Skills & Competencies:

• Ability to think strategically while executing operationally;
• Ability to work autonomously and influence without direct authority across multiple senior stakeholder groups;
• Ability to communicate and reason effectively with key stakeholders at all levels;
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgement, decision-making, and organisational skills;
• Excellent verbal and numerical reasoning skills;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and VBA.
• Proficiency in AI tools and technologies, with the ability to identify and implement AI-driven solutions to improve market data operations, reporting, vendor analysis, and cost optimisation. A strong interest in emerging AI applications within financial data management is essential.

What We Offer:

• A great environment whereby technology is key to our success
• The upside of a start-up without the associated risks
• Friendly, informal and highly rewarding culture
• A fast-growing global firm with plenty of opportunities where you will have a significant impact

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