Leiter (m/w/d) Algorithmic Trading Governance

Alpiq believes that algorithmic trading and automation will play an increasingly important role in the future of energy trading. While traders remain fully accountable for commercial decisions, risk-taking, and portfolio performance, algorithms are expected to become a core capability supporting execution, optimization, analysis, and decision-making across the trading value chain.

The Head of Algorithmic Trading Governance is responsible for establishing, governing, and scaling Alpiq's algorithmic trading framework across Asset Trading, Merchant Trading, and Structured Energy Management activities.

The role does not manage a proprietary trading book. Instead, it acts as the business owner and governance lead for algorithmic trading initiatives, ensuring consistency, transparency, performance measurement, risk oversight, and adoption across all trading activities.

Initially focused on intraday and day-ahead algorithmic initiatives supporting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Renewable Energy Sources (RES), the mandate will progressively expand to additional portfolios, including hydro assets and future algorithmic trading applications across Alpiq's European trading activities.

The position sits within the Quantitative Analytics team and operates at the intersection of Trading, IT, Risk Management, Compliance, and Data & Analytics.

Your main accountabilities

1. Algorithmic Trading Governance

• Establish and maintain Alpiq's governance framework for algorithmic trading across all trading value chains.
• Develop standards, controls, validation processes, approval mechanisms, and documentation requirements for algorithm deployment.
• Ensure clear accountability principles whereby traders remain responsible for trading decisions and portfolio outcomes while leveraging algorithmic tools.
• Work closely with Risk and Compliance to develop robust controls around algorithm usage and automated execution activities.
• Define model governance and review processes covering algorithm development, testing, approval, monitoring, modification, and retirement.

2. Portfolio-Wide Algo Coordination & Standardization

• Create a consolidated overview of all existing algorithmic initiatives across Trading.
• Assess and document desk-level developments currently operating within Intraday, Day-Ahead, BESS, RES, and other Gas Merchant trading activities for Long term.
• Identify duplication, inconsistencies, and improvement opportunities.
• Drive harmonization of algorithmic approaches across portfolios while preserving local optimization needs.
• Support the extension of successful approaches to additional portfolios, including Hydro and future flexibility assets.

3. Algo Performance Management

• Develop a framework of KPIs and performance metrics for algorithm assessment.
• Monitor algorithm effectiveness under different market environments and liquidity conditions.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and recommend improvements, recalibration, suspension, or retirement of underperforming algorithms.
• Capture and document lessons learned to support future strategy development and knowledge sharing.
• Establish transparency on value creation and operational performance of algorithmic initiatives.

4. Trading Community Enablement

• Lead the adoption of algorithmic trading capabilities across the Trading organization.
• Develop training programs, best practices, user documentation, and onboarding materials.
• Promote a culture where traders understand, monitor, challenge, and effectively utilize algorithmic trading solutions.
• Build an algorithm-enabled trading organization where algorithmic tools become part of every trader's standard toolkit. The ambition is that within two years, all Alpiq traders are proficient in the use, supervision, and interpretation of algorithmic trading solutions, while retaining full accountability for trading decisions, risk-taking, and portfolio performance.
• Establish a community of practice that fosters knowledge sharing between traders, quants, analysts, developers, Risk, and IT.
• Drive change management and user engagement to accelerate the adoption of automation across Trading's value chains.

5. Strategic Development of Trading Automation

• Define the long-term roadmap for algorithmic trading and automation across Alpiq.
• Evaluate opportunities to expand the use of algorithms beyond execution into analytics, opportunity identification, decision support, forecasting, and idea generation.
• Assess internal versus external development opportunities and support the integration of third-party solutions where appropriate.
• Maintain oversight of external providers and strategic partnerships supporting algorithmic capabilities.

6. Product Ownership and Business Sponsorship

• Act as "Business Sponsor" for strategic algorithmic trading initiatives and transformation projects (4PP).
• Partner closely with Business Technology Transformation and IT including Data teams to ensure developments align and build on Alpiq's broader data transformation roadmap.
• Define business priorities and oversee implementation roadmaps for algorithmic trading platforms and supporting infrastructure.
• Ensure investment decisions and budgets are aligned with business value creation and strategic objectives.
• Support the launch and governance of Alpiq's dedicated algorithmic trading program starting in 2027.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Maintain strong engagement with trading teams in Lausanne and Olten. Algo team shall sit among Traders.
• Work closely with Quantitative Analytics, Risk Management, Compliance, IT, Data Engineering, and Trading leadership.
• Facilitate alignment between business needs, technical capabilities, and governance requirements.
• Promote consistency of algorithmic trading practices across all functions and locations.

Your profile

Experience & Market Knowledge

• Deep understanding of European power markets, including Day-Ahead, Intraday, Balancing, and flexibility markets.
• Strong knowledge of trading processes across physical and financial energy portfolios.
• Experience with algorithmic trading, trading automation, optimization, or quantitative energy trading environments.
• Understanding of flexible asset classes such as batteries, hydro, renewable generation, and flexibility portfolios.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate innovation into scalable business practices.
• Curious, forward-looking, and technology-oriented mindset, with a genuine interest in the future evolution of energy trading and automation.
• Ability to operate effectively in a rapidly evolving environment, balancing long-term vision with pragmatic execution as markets, technologies, and organizational priorities evolve.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to navigate across Trading, Quantitative Analytics, IT, Risk, Compliance, and senior management.
• Strong change management capabilities, with experience driving adoption of new tools, processes, and ways of working across an organization.

Quantitative & Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of algorithm design, quantitative modeling, machine learning applications, and automated execution frameworks.
• Familiarity with Python and modern data analytics environments.
• Ability to challenge and oversee technical developments without necessarily performing day-to-day coding activities.
• Understanding of data architecture, trading systems, and algorithm performance measurement frameworks.

Governance, Risk & Leadership

• Experience establishing governance frameworks, controls, and operational processes.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles and regulatory requirements relevant to automated trading.
• Ability to operate across multiple departments and influence stakeholders without direct hierarchical authority.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Structured and strategic thinker capable of translating innovation into scalable business practices.

Success Measures

The successful candidate will:

• Establish a robust algorithmic trading governance framework across Alpiq.
• Create full visibility and oversight of all algorithmic trading initiatives.
• Increase algorithm adoption across trading teams.
• Drive standardization and consistency across portfolios and value chains.
• Improve transparency on algorithm performance and value creation.
• Ensure algorithms are deployed safely, efficiently, and in line with risk and compliance standards.
• Position Alpiq to scale algorithmic trading capabilities as a strategic competitive advantage while maintaining clear human accountability for trading decisions.

Disclaimer: Please note that applications submitted by agencies or third-party recruiters will not be considered unless the agency is part of our Preferred Supplier List (PSL).

Your benefits

Competitive salary package

Market-oriented salary

Training and development

Diverse opportunities for career growth

Flexible work models

Various flexible work models

Inclusion is at the heart of Alpiq

At Alpiq, we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment, where everyone can bring their 'whole selves' to work and feel valued, respected, and heard. This principle is central to our company's purpose, values, and leadership approach. We strongly believe that organizations thrive through the inclusion of diversity. Everyone's energy matters regardless of characteristics, such as age, gender, nationality, language, sexual orientation and identity, religion, social or ethnic background or any other personal traits.

Data protection

At Alpiq, data privacy is an important topic. Please therefore take note of the corresponding Privacy Notice that appears in the online application form and explains in detail the purpose for which we process your personal data. It is of great concern to us to inform you as transparently as possible and process your data only in a fair manner.