Head of Algorithmic Trading Governance

Head of Algorithmic Trading Governance (f/m/d)

Olten, CH | Lausanne, CH - 100% | Full time

About the Role

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. 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 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. Provide oversight of developments and strategic partnerships supporting capabilities.

6. Product Ownership and Business Sponsorship

Act as business sponsor for strategic algorithmic trading initiatives and transformation projects. Partner closely with Business Technology Transformation and IT including Data teams to ensure development aligns with Alpiq's broader data transformation roadmap. Define 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 leadership of Alpiq's dedicated algorithmic trading program.

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 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 teams. Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate innovation into scalable business practices. Curiosity, 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 build technical developments without necessarily performing day-to-day coding. The system is designed to support data architecture, CSEs, and the company. 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. 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). Consent required to show content of YouTube, you must consent to the use of third-party cookies (e.g. YouTube). Please note that by giving consent, personal data will be transmitted. You can adjust your consent at any time. 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. Data protection: At Alpiq, data privacy is an important topic. Please therefore take note of the relevant Privacy Notice. It covers explanation of the purpose of processing personal data and we are committed to updating the notice as transparently as possible and process data only in a fair manner. Your benefits: Competitive salary package, Training and development, Flexible work models: Various flexible work models. By applying, you consent to the data processing and privacy notice.