Experienced Discretionary Macro Markets Trader
Gelber Group · Chicago, IL
We are Gelber Group -- Passion for Trading. Powered by Technology.
About Gelber
For more than 40 years, Gelber has been one of the industry's leading proprietary trading firms, combining entrepreneurial thinking with disciplined execution. Headquartered in Chicago, with offices and remote team members throughout the United States and Europe, we have built a reputation for innovation, longevity, and consistent performance. Through regulated businesses that include a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, a self-clearing Chicago Mercantile Exchange member firm, and an AFM-licensed MiFID II investment firm, Gelber is positioned to trade across all major global financial markets.
Our business is driven by a relentless pursuit of new trading opportunities and a deep commitment to technical excellence. We trade a diverse range of asset classes and financial instruments using strategies that span the full spectrum of trading—from high-frequency and systematic approaches to longer-term discretionary trading. This diversity creates an intellectually rich environment where ideas, perspectives, and expertise from across the firm contribute to our continued evolution.
Our culture is collaborative, entrepreneurial, and meritocratic. We empower talented people to take ownership, contribute meaningfully, and make an impact early in their careers. We believe our people are our greatest competitive advantage, and we invest in their development by providing meaningful responsibility, exceptional colleagues, and the resources they need to succeed. Our flat organizational structure and focus on a true meritocracy with competitive profit splits attracts individuals with an edge which contributes to our consistent success.
The Opportunity
As an Experienced Discretionary Macro Markets Trader, you will have a real opportunity to have a huge impact on the firm. You will work side by side with other successful and talented individuals to capitalize on market opportunities. This role is for someone who flourishes in a fast-paced environment, has a strong work ethic, a competitive attitude, and a proven record of profitability in a trading position for at least 3 years. This is a senior risk-taking role that will be a key idea generator for the desk.
This position will require a strong emphasis on in-person presence in our Chicago office, located in River North right next to the Merchandise Mart and convenient to public transportation.
What you’ll do:
- Manage your own trading book with a focus on trading liquid macro futures
- Manage your own risk of a portfolio of active strategies and drive trading decisions
- Analyze market trends, order flow, and technical patterns to identify trading opportunities
- Develop, test, and refine your trading strategies using historical data and real-time market conditions
- Continuously monitor market conditions, news, and macroeconomic events
- Monitor material changes in levels of risk and variance in PnL, especially focused around deviation from your plans, and proactively communicate those changes to leadership
What we’d like to see:
- Experience trading liquid macro futures
- `These will commonly include equity indices and/or metals.
- Nice-to-have experience includes FX, crypto, options, and/or event-driven trading experience
- Proven track record independently managing a PnL, or being a senior member of the team, driving strategy in a larger environment
- Prior Proprietary Trading or Hedge Fund PM experience strongly preferred.
- Larger bank environment or similar experience may be considered if significant decision-making autonomy existed.
- Defined discretionary macro edge such as outcome distribution analysis, news and narrative interpretation, relative value frameworks, or portfolio construction discipline.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with competitive nature
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work both autonomously and as a team player
- Quant skills and data literacy are a plus but not required. Fully automated or black-box strategies are not the focus of this seat. Openness to feedback and willingness to adapt your trading style with changes in market conditions
- 3 years or more of verified, risk-adjusted profitability
The approximate annual base compensation range for this position in Chicago, IL is $72,000 to $150,000 + percent share of the profits you generate. The actual offer, reflecting the total compensation package plus benefits, will be determined by a number of factors which include but are not limited to the applicant’s experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities; geographic location; and internal equity. In addition to your salary, our total rewards package includes health benefits, a 401(k) plan, PTO, parental leave, professional development, tuition reimbursement and discretionary bonus, enhancing your overall total rewards package.
Benefits & Culture
Gelber offers a wide range of benefits to full-time employees in order to meet you and your covered dependents needs. Our comprehensive benefits offering includes:
- Traditional and Roth 401(k) retirement program
- Comprehensive health benefits including medical coverage provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield (PPO and HDHP/HSA) and dental coverage
- Tuition reimbursement for Graduate courses (taken after employment begins)
- Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent care; pre-tax commuter benefits for parking and transit expenses
- Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
- Brand new office in the heart of Chicago’s River North neighborhood, attached to the Merchandise Mart and “EL” stop and a short walk from both Ogilvie and Union Train Stations
- Health club membership with on-site facilities (and reciprocal memberships)
- Generous vacation time, paid holidays, and paid parental leave
- Catered lunch provided Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursdays and stocked pantry daily and monthly continental breakfasts
- Social events including sponsored 5k races and annual company party
- Enjoyable collaborative and open work environment including a golf simulator and pool table
- Employee referral bonus program
- Charitable giving and company matching opportunities
- Casual, relaxed dress code
If you are based in California, we encourage you to read the Gelber Privacy Notice for California Employees and Applicants, linked here.