Senior Director, Global R&D

JobDescription :
The Role: Senior Director for the Americas Index Research & Design Team
The Location: New York

S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI), the world's largest provider of indices is seeking a Senior Director for the Americas Index Research & Design Team.
S&P DJI indices are used as the basis of investment products and to benchmark portfolio performance. S&P DJI indices are the foundation of some of the world's leading exchange traded derivatives, ETFs, structured products, OTC instruments, index funds in addition to being the benchmark for investment portfolios.

The Team:
This person will report to the Head of Research & Design for the Americas Region. The team develops indices and produces index related research across all asset classes and strategies.

Responsibilities:
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in quantitative portfolio management/ index design, will have demonstrated intellectual rigor and high quality mathematical/analytical skills, and is an independent strategic thinker.
The candidate will have the ability to work within a matrix organization structure in order to successfully navigate across regions and business units in a collaborative, team-oriented manner. The candidate will need to work closely with our Product Management team, including frequent collaboration with our index operations and governance, client coverage, channel management, index strategy, marketing, and communications teams.
Along with developing new indices, the individual will help contribute to thought leadership across a broad variety of topics. Experience in both traditional and alternatively weighted equity and fixed income indices is required. This is a role with a very high visibility within the organization and the investment community.
Furthermore, a key objective of this role is to raise S&P DJI's profile through financial media interaction and participation in conferences, client events, webinars and one-on-one client meetings that help establish us as a thought leader across all asset classes and strategies.

Additional Criteria and Responsibilities:

• Construct and design new indices, create research content and elevate the market presence of S&P DJI research efforts
• Elevate the efficiency and impact of the R&D research effort by developing/streamlining data and analytic processes in line with our global strategy
• Effectively engage across a wide range of internal partners and stakeholders both within S&P DJI and across SPGI
• Engage with clients and other external clients/partners to ideate new concepts and execute client solutions
• Stay well-connected with customers and the market to ensure that broad market trends are being incorporated into the new index design and enhancement cycle
• Be a spokesperson for S&P DJI Research in client meetings, conferences and media events

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of quantitative experience in asset management or structured products
• Academic background in mathematics, statistics, natural sciences
• CFA Charterholder
• Strong programming capability (python)
• Practical experience in the use of indices in equity and fixed income portfolio management, research or structured products
• Knowledge of derivatives and their use within indices
• Strong research background with a publishing record and ability to demonstrate independence and objectivity
• Experience with the media and conference presentations
• Proven ability to be successful in a global, matrix organization
• Superior verbal and written communication skills with the ability to synthesize and articulate complex economic concepts
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Excellent interpersonal skills; solid relationship-building and listening skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D or MBA from a highly regarded university in economics, finance or other relative degree
• Proven work experience as a team leader or supervisor
• Ability to leverage industry contacts as well as your network of key relationships within the investment and trading community including banks, asset managers, asset owners, consultants and traders