Bernstein - Execution Consulting Associate

The Execution Consulting Group within Bernstein Institutional Services is seeking an Associate to support the development of proprietary trading research and market structure insights for institutional equity clients. The team leverages trading and microstructure datasets to analyze trading behavior, liquidity dynamics, execution performance, and evolving market structure trends across global equity markets.

The Associate will conduct quantitative research, develop analytical frameworks, and generate actionable insights that help institutional investors optimize trading decisions and understand current market dynamics. The ideal candidate combines strong quantitative and programming skills with an interest in equity trading, market structure, and financial markets. Success in the role requires the ability to translate complex analyses into clear conclusions and communicate findings effectively to internal and external audiences.

The successful candidate will possess the ability to transform complex datasets into clear, actionable insights for institutional trading clients. Intellectual curiosity, a passion for markets, and a desire to model how trading behavior and market structure affect investment outcomes are essential for success in this role.

The key job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Conduct quantitative research and analysis on equity trading, execution quality, liquidity, and market structure across global equity markets.

• Analyze large proprietary datasets, including trading datasets, transaction cost analytics, market microstructure data, and alternative data sources.

• Develop and maintain research datasets, analytical models, and performance measurement frameworks using Python and related analytical tools.

• Identify emerging market structure trends and assess the impact of regulatory changes, venue dynamics, technology developments, and investor behavior on trading outcomes.

• Support the expansion of the team's research coverage across European and Asian equity markets.

Additional Role Expectations

• Create compelling client-facing research reports, presentations, and visualizations that effectively communicate analytical findings.

• Partner with sales traders, electronic trading professionals, quant teams, and senior management to develop differentiated client content and thought leadership.

  
  

The role is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and includes a competitive benefits package including 401(k) plan with company match, Medical/Dental/Vision, and other benefits for fertility, wellness, student loans and commuters.  Base salary range does not include overtime pay, bonus and/or other benefits, where applicable. Actual base salary offer will vary based on skills and experience.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related quantitative discipline.

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in quantitative research, trading analysis, execution consulting, market structure research, or a related field.

• Proficiency in Python, including experience with data analysis libraries such as pandas, NumPy, and related tools.

• Experience working with large datasets and applying statistical or quantitative techniques to financial market analysis.

• Knowledge of equity trading workflows, transaction cost analysis (TCA), and market microstructure concepts.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present analyses and findings to various stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple research projects and prioritize work effectively in a deadline-driven environment.

• Strong intellectual curiosity and interest in financial markets, trading, and quantitative analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S., MFE, MBA, or equivalent) in a quantitative or finance-related discipline.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience analyzing equity market microstructure, execution quality, transaction costs, or electronic trading.

• Knowledge of U.S., European, and/or Asian equity market structures and trading venues.

• Experience building research dashboards, data visualizations, or analytical tools for internal or external users.

Bernstein is widely recognized as a premier global equity research and brokerage firm, with a trading platform that spans the US, Europe, and Asia. Our research and trading capabilities are sought out by leading investment managers around the world, and we have a long history of our research receiving #1 rankings for overall quality and industry knowledge. 

Research is our legacy and foundation. Our brand is defined by our Blackbooks, renowned for their in-depth quantitative forecasts and unmatched industry expertise. Our Research Analysts are thought leaders who typically have many years of direct experience in the industries they cover. Our reputation is for the very highest caliber of disciplined investment and industry analysis. 

In 2019 Bernstein acquired Autonomous Research, a highly regarded global financial services independent research firm. This acquisition further strengthened us as the preeminent provider of the highest-quality research to our clients worldwide. 

On April 1, 2024, AllianceBernstein and Societe Generale announced the official launch of Bernstein, a new joint venture expanding our global cash equities and equity research business. Clients now have unparalleled equity liquidity access and a full range of integrated services, leveraging Bernstein’s cash equities and research capabilities and Societe Generale’s equity derivatives, prime services and equity capital markets offering.