TECHNOLOGY, COLLABORATION, OWNERSHIP: A TRADER’S PERSPECTIVE

Michelle is a quantitative trader at IMC. She captures opportunities in the market by analysing large data sets, identifying market behaviours, and implementing ideas into live trading.

When asked what she would tell someone considering joining IMC, she says three things: technology, collaboration, and ownership.

Technology that sets us apart

For Michelle, IMC’s technology is a key reason she joined and continues to set the firm apart.

“IMC is known for its cutting-edge technology that a lot of firms have yet to catch up on,” she says. “It empowers traders to build upon their strategies or explore different ideas that may not be possible at other firms. In a competitive market, this is what helps us stay ahead.”

Artificial intelligence plays an increasingly central part in Michelle’s work. “AI provides us with a lot of opportunities to explore bigger data sets and run more complicated algorithms,” she shares. “We’re using it to improve our efficiency and identify issues that we would have otherwise missed."

Collaboration that makes good ideas great

IMC is known for its open and collaborative culture. Michelle has found that reputation holds up in practice, with an important nuance.

“Being collaborative doesn’t mean that we always agree with each other’s ideas,” she explains. “It means we come together and have a discussion on what is achievable and ideas or directions that we haven’t yet explored.”

That openness extends to how ideas move from concept to live trading. “If you have an idea, it is encouraged that you reach out to different people from different teams, gather feedback, and iterate,” she adds. “Everyone is friendly here. Ideas never get judged. Often a good idea becomes a great one shared amongst multiple teams.”

The Hong Kong team works closely with IMC’s teams in Sydney and across other global offices. “It’s really about getting the right people involved and solving the problem together, no matter where they sit,” Michelle says. “This level of collaboration within and between offices helps us set our expectations and longer-term goals as a company.”

Ownership from day one

At many firms, real responsibility takes time to earn. At IMC, it comes early.

“Responsibility came immediately when I joined the team,” Michelle shares. “It’s about taking ownership of your ideas by talking to researchers or developers and testing them out. Through these discussions, oftentimes we find there are greater opportunities, either within different asset classes or within different ways we could deploy them in our environment.”

That ownership is an ongoing commitment. “One thing I’ve realised in this role is that the challenge never ends. It’s a constant cycle of refining and evolving,” she says. “And once you start seeing PNL, that’s a very tangible outcome. It’s exhilarating.”

At the end of the trading day, Michelle measures success more broadly than PNL. “For me, progress matters, whether it’s improving a model or identifying a new opportunity. If we have a good discussion as a team and our goals are clear, that already makes a successful day.”

For traders who want to work with cutting-edge technology and the brightest minds in the field, IMC across our Asia Pacific offices is hiring. Check out our open roles here.