Reference Number: MHH7924
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Judson Group is proud to partner with a well-established, independent wealth management firm in The Woodlands, TX, to identify an Options & Alternatives Portfolio Strategist. This is a hands-on investment role for a professional with deep expertise in options and derivatives who can translate market views and risk considerations into thoughtful portfolio strategies. The firm offers a collaborative, high-accountability environment where investment decisions are grounded in client objectives and long-term outcomes.

Options strategy will be the primary focus, with responsibility spanning the development, execution, and ongoing oversight of derivative-based strategies across client portfolios. The role will also contribute to research and evaluation of alternative investments, with the opportunity to expand into broader fund manager due diligence over time. Success in this position requires strong investment judgment, quantitative ability, disciplined execution, and the ability to communicate complex strategies clearly.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• Serve as a subject-matter expert in options and derivatives within a sophisticated wealth management environment.
• Build and manage strategies designed to address portfolio risk, generate income, and improve risk-adjusted outcomes.
• Gain meaningful exposure to alternative investments and grow into a broader manager research and due diligence role.
• Work closely with portfolio managers, investment professionals, and advisors on real client portfolios.
• Have a direct opportunity to influence the firm’s investment capabilities and approach to portfolio construction.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Design, implement, and monitor options overlays, hedging strategies, and income-oriented positions across different market and volatility environments. Evaluate structures such as covered calls, spreads, collars, and other derivative strategies.
• Model positions, analyze risk exposures, stress-test strategies, and monitor performance to ensure implementation remains consistent with portfolio objectives and established risk parameters.
• Research and assess opportunities across hedge funds, private credit, private equity, real assets, and other alternative strategies.
• Develop toward leading comprehensive due diligence of external managers, including evaluation of investment strategy, process, performance, operational infrastructure, and risk. Prepare due diligence materials and conduct ongoing monitoring.
• Track volatility, options, derivatives, and alternative investment markets to identify emerging opportunities, risks, and actionable portfolio insights.
• Present recommendations and market perspectives to investment leadership and internal stakeholders. Help translate complex options and alternative investment concepts into clear, practical explanations for advisors and clients.
• Collaborate with portfolio management, wealth advisory, planning, operations, and compliance teams to support effective implementation and ensure strategies remain aligned with client objectives.
• Support implementation of derivative and alternative strategies in client portfolios and maintain accurate portfolio data, analysis, and documentation.
• Contribute to research, market commentary, client communications, and other initiatives that strengthen the firm’s investment platform.

What We’re Looking For:

• 5+ years of experience in derivatives, options strategy, investment analysis, portfolio management, or a related investment role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or a related discipline.
• CFA charterholder or actively progressing toward the CFA designation; CAIA is a plus.
• Strong practical knowledge of options and derivatives, including pricing, the Greeks, volatility, and strategy construction.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing options overlays, hedges, income strategies, or similar portfolio applications.
• Working knowledge of alternative investments, including hedge funds, private credit, private equity, and real assets.
• Exposure to fund manager research or due diligence, with the interest and ability to develop deeper expertise in this area.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with sound investment judgment.
• Ability to assess complex investment concepts and communicate conclusions clearly to both investment professionals and non-specialist audiences.
• Proficiency with portfolio analytics and investment research platforms such as Bloomberg, FactSet, or similar systems.
• Proactive, accountable, and comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Highly competitive base salary + bonus opportunities
• Full suite of benefits

Reference Number: MHH7924
Location: The Woodlands, Texas