Index Data Director (Index Production)

Role Profile

The appointment of the Index Data Director role within the FTSE Russell Index Production function, of the London Stock Exchange Group, represents a step forward in the Division’s approach to the management and monetization of indexes and related data. The role is key to the Division’s strategic and financial objectives and, through the implementation of quality standards, to the delivery of industry leading, global index data management capabilities. This role is expected to lead transformational change across the Benchmark & Index business’s global index data management and data teams, including those of FTSE Russell, Ex-Citi, FTSE Canada and support significant growth in the business’s index and data related IP, products, services and revenues.

The Index Data Director is accountable for leading the day to day management of data provision for the FTSE Russell indices. The role has a global remit. It is a critical role within FTSE Russell in the delivery of the strategic objectives of the business. The role sits within the Index Production function and reports into the Head of Index Data, Change & Controls.

The index data teams are responsible for the provision of “Index Ready” data, the encompasses the daily flow of index validated data, continual process improvement (including automation) and the on boarding of new index-ready datasets with a focus on ESG.

Key Responsibilities

The Index Data Director is a newly created role which will oversee the management of all index data activities within FTSE Russell and its various data services, together with providing oversight of quality across our index data value chain. The role will work closely with the FTSE Russell Index Policy, Product and Data Management to ensure inbound index data is of the highest quality. The role will be responsible for the delivery of index related data to ensure the highest global standards are applied to our indices.

Accountable for the coordination, management and leadership of the global index data teams to deliver key areas that include, but are not limited to:

The daily creation of index ready data and client delivery for the FTSE Russell business
Leading the global FTSE Russell index data teams and developing them to achieve the strategic goals of the business. Includes the sourcing, resourcing and managing to budgetary targets.
Working with the Head of Index Data, Change & Controls to execute the plan for achieving the strategic objectives of Index Production, including the creation of Centres of Excellence.
Directing the global management of index data, corporate actions / events and other information to ensure that the indexes are accurate and reflective of client expectations, index policies and index rules.
Delivery, and maintenance, of high levels of quality standards throughout the index data provision process, that includes developing quality acceptance standards with other teams within the Index Production organisation. Proactive management of operational risk.
Owns the daily delivery of data to the FTSE Russell Index Management team, including delivery of high levels of client service.
A key leading role within client engagement strategy, and will be involved in client meetings, due diligence reviews and client satisfaction reviews.
Owns and sets the global operational processes across all index data teams to ensure that global standards exist and are maintained, and they remain relevant based on current market standards.
A key executive of the governance process and committees within FTSE Russell that oversee standards and policies in the management of FTSE Russell indexes.
Collaboration with other FTSE Russell and LSEG teams in the delivery of these key areas. Driving the change programme to ensure the global index teams achieve the benefits.

Candidate Profile / Key Skills

Understanding of the investment management and portfolio construction.
Undergraduate degree in finance, economics, or equivalent experience required.
MS or MBA in finance, financial engineering, economics, statistics, or other quantitative fields a plus.
CFA, CAIA designations (or participation in the programs) viewed very favourably.
Relevant industry experience in financial services, with minimum 15 years experience within the industry, with no less than 7 years experience leading and managing people preferably across global locations.
Execution: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to prioritize effectively, handle multiple projects under tight deadlines, identify/ flag/resolve potential issues early on.
Collaboration: Ability to influence and work through others to get things done in a matrixed, multi-site organization; willingness to help colleagues; openness to take on new responsibilities.
Clients focus and service mind-set: Understanding of client segments and ability to align with Sales and Service teams (expectation management, commercial awareness).
Written and verbal communications: Communicate effectively to audiences with differing levels of domain expertise (presentations, reports, external communications).
Self-motivated: Takes initiative and demonstrates a high level of enthusiasm.
Management: Success managing global teams across various locations. Involvement in creating teams in new locations viewed very favourably.
Ability to deliver whilst managing a wide variety of responsibility.