Executive Director, Research

MSCI • San Francisco, CA

21h • $240,000 - $263,300 • Hybrid

About The Position

MSCI, Inc. seeks Executive Director, Research in San Francisco, CA to work with the Multi-Asset Class Research team to develop cutting-edge research methodologies combining financial and economic theory with empirical analysis and modern data science.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Financial Engineering, Data Science, or a related field and seven (7) years of experience in the job offered or related occupation: working with natural language and machine learning techniques including embeddings and cluster analysis; performing financial modeling including factor analysis, bond pricing, and risk statistics; building software systems using Python and cloud databases; developing data analysis and visualization systems to monitor model performance metrics across large-scale financial datasets; designing and implementing automated data quality assurance systems using multivariate statistical analysis and machine learning techniques; developing automated model validation and backtesting systems to assess statistical robustness, predictive accuracy, and economic consistency of quantitative financial models.
• Three (3) years of experience must include: architecting solutions employing natural language and Machine Learning (ML) in a production setting including using MLOps and modern software lifecycle management skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research focusing on Artificial Intelligence techniques applied to multi-asset class factor modeling and risk analysis, which sit at the frontiers of investing and for which MSCI has pioneered industry-leading quantitative models.
• Lead employee career and skill development for the research team, including individual development plans, technical coaching, structured feedback, and growth pathways aligned to strategic research goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues to implement innovative research ideas and publish research-based content.
• Research and develop models spanning the world’s markets and asset classes, which are used in the investment process of asset owners, asset managers, banks, and hedge funds.
• Develop agentic AI systems for delivering insights to clients using these models.
• Supervise multiple researchers in conducting a long-running research program at the frontier of modern AI and risk analytics.
• Evaluate third-party AI providers and platforms for suitability and integration into research and client-facing products, including pilot testing and formal recommendations.
• Present and explain complex agentic AI systems and model architectures to clients to support sales efforts from a research/technical perspective and gather structured feedback.
• Build AI-powered workflows to automate or semi-automate the migration of legacy analytics code and pipelines to modern frameworks with verification, testing, and performance benchmarking.
• Develop an AI-enabled literature scouting and signal-triage framework that continuously surveys quantitative-finance research for candidate signals and performs preliminary plausibility and statistical checks for prioritization.
• Lead programs to increase AI proficiency within the research organization by evaluating tools and methods, documenting and sharing best practices, delivering trainings, and maintaining centralized guidance.

Benefits

• Transparent compensation schemes and comprehensive employee benefits, tailored to your location, ensuring your financial security, health, and overall wellbeing.
• Flexible working arrangements, advanced technology, and collaborative workspaces.
• A culture of high performance and innovation where we experiment with new ideas and take responsibility for achieving results.
• A global network of talented colleagues, who inspire, support, and share their expertise to innovate and deliver for our clients.
• Global Orientation program to kickstart your journey, followed by access to our Learning@MSCI platform, AI Learning Center , LinkedIn Learning Pro and tailored learning opportunities for ongoing skills development.
• Multi-directional career paths that offer professional growth and development through new challenges, internal mobility and expanded roles.
• We actively nurture an environment that builds a sense of inclusion belonging and connection, including eight Employee Resource Groups. All Abilities, Asian Support Network, Black Leadership Network, Climate Action Network, Hola! MSCI, Pride & Allies, Women in Tech, and Women’s Leadership Forum.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees