Director of Research

William Blair•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Director of Research sets the strategic direction, oversees performance, and drives the continued growth of William Blair’s research franchise. The role leads a large, complex research organization by developing a strong leadership team, setting clear performance expectations, and fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. It provides strategic oversight of research quality, product differentiation, coverage priorities, talent management, compensation, and resource allocation in alignment with the firm’s business objectives. A key priority is maintaining and strengthening the franchise’s differentiated SMID-focused research offering, complemented by coverage of leading large-cap companies, while evolving the research product in response to investor needs and market dynamics. In partnership with Institutional Sales & Trading and other senior business leaders, the Director advances the franchise’s competitive position, institutional client engagement, and long-term growth. The Director also represents the research franchise externally and drives responsible adoption of technology, data, and artificial intelligence to enhance research capabilities and delivery.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience leading an institutional equity research organization of meaningful scale, with direct accountability for strategic direction, research coverage, talent management, compensation, and resource allocation.
Extensive experience leading complex, multi-sector institutional equity research organizations, including managing senior leaders and overseeing departmental strategy, operations, and performance.
Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams, develop and retain talent, establish clear performance expectations, and foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Established credibility with investors, research leaders, and analysts across the institutional equity research community, with the standing to represent the research franchise, attract talent, and strengthen client engagement.
Deep understanding of SMID-focused equity research and large-cap sector coverage, and ability to assess research differentiation, investment relevance, and evolving investor needs.
Proven ability to establish and execute research strategies, evaluate coverage priorities, and make sound business decisions supporting the franchise’s long-term success.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, navigate complex decisions, challenge established practices, and lead organizational change.
Strong strategic thinking, communication, and execution skills, with the ability to translate business objectives into actionable priorities and measurable outcomes.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, or a related field required.

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

Set the strategic direction of William Blair’s research franchise, ensuring quality, differentiation, investor relevance, and alignment with business objectives.
Lead a research organization of more than 120 professionals, including approximately 40 publishing analysts, by establishing leadership structure, accountability, decision-making authority, and performance expectations.
Oversee the research product and coverage strategy, maintaining a differentiated SMID-focused offering complemented by coverage of leading large-cap companies.
Establish standards for rigorous, high-quality investment research and evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of the research offering.
Uphold research integrity and valuation discipline, emphasizing analytical rigor, differentiated insights, and investor value over publication volume.
Represent the research franchise externally and build relationships with institutional investors and industry participants to strengthen market positioning, client engagement, and research relevance.
Attract, develop, and retain high-performing research professionals and leaders across key sectors; strengthen leadership capabilities and develop emerging talent.
Foster independent thinking, sound judgment, and collaboration across the research organization.
Set performance expectations, evaluate individual and team contributions, and make compensation decisions based on a balanced assessment of research quality, client feedback, commercial engagement, and other relevant measures.
Oversee resource allocation and departmental priorities, translating strategic objectives into initiatives with clear ownership, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
Drive responsible adoption of technology, data, and artificial intelligence to enhance research capabilities and delivery and respond to evolving investor needs and market opportunities.
Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement; model sound judgment, transparency, and effective decision-making while building partnerships across the firm.
Perform additional responsibilities as requested.