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Headlands Trading operates within a highly competitive quantitative trading environment, where attracting exceptional technical talent is critical to maintaining a high-performing organization.
The firm required a specialist researcher with a rare combination of technical ability, quantitative expertise, and the ability to contribute across multiple areas of systematic trading.
The market for this type of talent is extremely limited. The strongest candidates are typically already working at elite trading firms, where compensation expectations are high and opportunities are carefully considered.
Headlands needed a recruitment partner who understood the market, could access passive candidates, and could build trust throughout a highly sensitive hiring process.
Tempting Talent proactively identified a standout researcher from another leading quantitative trading firm.
The candidate had a strong technical background and was already performing at a high level within a competing organization. From the first conversations, it was clear there was a strong alignment between the candidate’s ambitions and Headlands’ environment.
The candidate progressed successfully through the interview process and demonstrated a strong fit with the team.
The final stage of the process presented a challenge. Compensation expectations became a barrier, with Headlands initially unable to meet the candidate’s current package.
Rather than allowing the placement to fall away, Tempting Talent worked closely with both sides to understand what would create a successful outcome. Through transparent conversations with the candidate and client, expectations were realigned and a package was structured that worked for everyone involved.
This collaborative approach allowed Headlands to secure a candidate they had identified as a priority hire.
The researcher joined Headlands Trading and remains a successful member of the organization.
The placement strengthened the relationship between Tempting Talent and Headlands, leading to further recruitment activity between the two businesses.
The engagement demonstrated the value of a specialist search approach in competitive markets where the best candidates are often not actively looking and require a tailored process to successfully transition.
By combining market knowledge, candidate management, and a consultative approach, Tempting Talent helped Headlands secure a high-caliber hire from one of the most competitive talent pools in financial services.
This search was conducted by Alec Ross at Goliath Partners.
Contact the team to discuss specialist recruitment solutions for technical and quantitative hiring.
Rob White leads Tempting Talent as Managing Partner, leveraging a distinguished track record in executive search and talent consulting to help private equity, venture capital, and recruitment businesses attract the leaders who drive growth and value creation.