Key facts
- Average compensation for legal, risk, and compliance roles in European ETFs has reached $340,000.
- Hedge funds are actively recruiting talent from rival firms in the Middle East.
- Assets in older autocallable ETF structures are increasing.
- Established autocallable ETFs are competing with newer volatility-target versions.
- The total market for autocallable ETFs is $3.4 billion.
- Autocallable ETF products first emerged approximately one year ago.
The European exchange-traded fund (ETF) market is experiencing intense competition for specialized talent, particularly in legal, risk, and compliance departments. This demand has driven average compensation for these roles to $340,000. Hedge funds are notably active in this recruitment drive, poaching employees from competing firms within the Middle East's financial hub. This fierce competition highlights a significant talent war within the financial services sector, specifically targeting expertise crucial for navigating complex regulatory and operational landscapes in the ETF industry.