Pros
Progressive, entrepreneurial culture, dynamic environment, young employee base, systemically important with international reach and impact (offices in NYC, Chicago, Palo Alto, Atlanta, London, Singapore, Brazil). The recent acquisitions of NYSE Euronex is indicative of the strength of the organization and its ability to compete in a crowded market. ICE has been well positioned and will continue to benefit from increased regulations that push for more exchange traded and cleared financial products (introducing clearing for OTC products, offering futures alternative and providing electronic trading platforms). Its ability to take on the industry is largely driven by its entrepreneurial approach, the superior quality of its technological solutions and the penetrating market insight of its key staff. The organization works closely with many key market players and service providers, offering some high visibility career paths, with exposure to IDBs, FCMs, hedge funds, data and technology vendors. ICE also has a good work/life balance with ample vacation, options for telecommuting and normal hours for the financial sector. While there are times when one is expected to put in the sweat equity, those contributions are highly regarded and well compensated.
Cons
ICE is still facing growing pains as it enters uncharted territories of new markets and services. Yet, it's nimble enough to shift resources and priorities based on rapidly changing regulatory and client landscape. Most of its products are heavily regulated and work can be burdened by frequent audits and compliance requirements - as a publicly traded company ICE answers to shareholders and as a systemically important institution it has heavy reporting requirements to SEC, CFTC,'the Fed', FSA and EC to name a few.
