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

S&P Global • New York, NY

3d

About The Position

S&P Dow Jones Indices is seeking an Equities & Digital Assets R&D Associate Director for its Index Design team. Reporting to an Index Design Team Manager, with oversight from the Head of Equities & Digital Assets Index Design, this senior role leads research, design, analysis, and delivery of differentiated index solutions. It independently manages high-profile, complex projects, translates product and client needs into systematic, scalable, well-documented index concepts, and provides practical support and technical guidance to colleagues.

The team develops equity index capabilities and extends its index intellectual property and data into the decentralized finance ecosystem. Using rigorous research, portfolio construction, and financial theory, it creates robust index strategies that respond to client needs while meeting standards for quality, transparency, and governance. The Associate Director works closely with commercial, analytical, technology, and other functional colleagues across the value stream.

The role owns the index design lifecycle, from background research, data gathering and validation, and quantitative analysis through back-testing, methodology development, documentation, and stakeholder discussions. It also contributes to research publications, presentations, and thought leadership, and develops tools, templates, and repeatable processes to improve the efficiency, scalability, and analytical quality of index design and launch. Relevant areas include equity markets, digital assets, factor and dividend strategies, alternative datasets, portfolio construction, quantitative research, and scalable index design processes.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of equity markets, portfolio construction, factor and dividend investing, financial theory, and the principles underpinning index design, supported by substantial relevant experience.
• Advanced proficiency in Python or similar programming languages, with a strong track record of building repeatable analytical workflows and working with complex datasets.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, including the judgment and experience to structure and solve complex, non-routine problems and critically review others’ work.
• Strong written, verbal, and stakeholder-management skills, including explaining complex technical analysis to senior internal stakeholders, leading client-facing discussions, and guiding colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-profile, complex projects independently, manage multiple priorities, and provide practical support and guidance to others 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.
• CFA progress, 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, providing informed challenge and recommendations when appropriate.
• Access, clean, transform, and validate complex equity, market, and reference datasets used in index research and back-testing.
• Design, develop, and critically review backtests, sensitivity analyses, and quantitative research to assess whether complex index concepts meet their stated objectives.
• Use advanced programming skills to build and oversee robust, repeatable, and well-controlled analytical workflows, tools, and templates; support colleagues in adopting good practices.
• Lead methodology drafting, documentation, design reviews, and governance processes required for index approval and launch, maintaining analytical quality and resolving complex issues.
• Lead preparation and communication of 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 agreed team backlog items and complex project outcomes to required timelines and quality standards.
• Build trusted working 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 working practices; guide colleagues and help improve team quality and consistency.
• Manage multiple complex research and design workstreams with clear communication, disciplined execution, sound prioritization, and timely escalation of material risks or dependencies.
• Act 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.

Benefits

• Health care coverage designed for mind and body.
• Generous time off.
• Access to continuous-learning resources and career-development opportunities.
• Competitive pay, retirement planning, a continuing education program with a company-matched student loan contribution, and financial wellness programs.
• Family-oriented benefits and perks.
• Retail discounts and referral incentive awards.
• Eligible for an annual incentive plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed