Equities & Digital Assets R&D Associate Director, Index Design

S&P Global•New York, NY

About The Position

S&P Dow Jones Indices is seeking an Equities & Digital Assets R&D Associate Director to lead research, design, analysis, and delivery of differentiated index solutions within the Equities & Digital Assets value stream. The role reports to an Index Design Team Manager, with oversight from the Head of Equities & Digital Assets Index Design. It independently leads high-profile, complex projects, translates product and client needs into systematic, scalable, well-documented index concepts, and provides guidance to colleagues. The team develops innovative and robust index strategies through research, portfolio construction, and financial theory, supporting equity index expansion and extending S&P DJI's index intellectual property and data into the DeFi ecosystem. The Associate Director will work closely with commercial, analytical, and technology colleagues, applying expertise in equity markets, digital assets, factor and dividend strategies, alternative datasets, portfolio construction, and quantitative research. The role owns the full index design lifecycle, from research and data validation through quantitative analysis, back-testing, methodology development, documentation, and stakeholder discussions. It also contributes to research publications and thought leadership and develops tools, templates, and repeatable processes that improve the efficiency, scalability, and analytical quality of index design and launch.

Requirements

Deep understanding of equity markets, portfolio construction, factor and dividend investing, financial theory, and index design principles, supported by substantial relevant experience.
Advanced proficiency in Python or similar programming languages, with a track record of building repeatable analytical workflows and working with complex datasets.
Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, including judgment and experience in structuring and solving complex, non-routine problems and critically reviewing others' work.
Strong written, verbal, and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to explain complex technical analysis to senior stakeholders, lead client-facing discussions, and guide colleagues.
Demonstrated ability to independently lead high-profile, complex projects, manage multiple priorities, and provide practical support and guidance while maintaining attention to detail, sound judgment, and a delivery mindset.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or equivalent experience in finance, economics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or a related quantitative discipline.
Progress toward the CFA charter, a CFA charter, or commitment to relevant professional development.

Responsibilities

Independently lead research, design, and analysis of new indices and related capabilities, including high-profile and complex projects.
Translate investment objectives, product requirements, and client needs into clear, testable index design concepts, offering informed challenge and recommendations where appropriate.
Access, clean, transform, and validate complex equity, market, and reference datasets for index research and back-testing.
Design, develop, and critically review back-tests, sensitivity analyses, and quantitative research to assess whether index concepts meet their objectives.
Use advanced programming skills to build and oversee robust, repeatable, and well-controlled analytical workflows, tools, and templates, and support colleagues in adopting good practices.
Lead methodology drafting, documentation, design reviews, and governance processes for index approval and launch, ensuring analytical quality and resolving complex issues effectively.
Prepare and communicate analysis, charts, presentation materials, and research content for senior internal stakeholders, client discussions, and external thought leadership.
Work with the Index Design Team Manager to shape priorities and independently deliver team backlog items and complex project outcomes to required timelines and quality standards.
Build trusted relationships and lead collaboration with R&D colleagues, Index Engineering, Product Management, Commercial, Operations, Governance, and other functional partners.
Champion Index Design operating standards, analytical controls, and agile practices; support colleagues and improve quality and consistency across the team.
Manage multiple complex research and design workstreams with disciplined execution, clear communication, sound prioritization, and timely escalation of material risks or dependencies.
Serve as a senior subject-matter resource on equity markets, index construction, factor and dividend strategies, portfolio design, and emerging industry trends relevant to client needs.