Head of Data Operations, Direct Platform

Morningstar•Chicago, IL

3d•$320,425 - $491,325•Hybrid

About The Position

Morningstar is seeking a transformational leader to oversee the Direct Platform’s global data acquisition, operations, and collection technology ecosystem. The role leads an approximately 700-person global organization responsible for data acquisition, management, enrichment, quality, and delivery, while modernizing the platforms, workflows, and operating models that support those activities. Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer of the Direct Platform, the Head of Data Operations partners with Data Strategy, Product, Research, Engineering, Architecture, Risk, Compliance, Commercial, and client-facing leaders. The role executes Morningstar’s data acquisition roadmap, accelerates automation and AI-enabled capabilities, and establishes a scalable operating model for future investment data products. The position combines operational leadership, technology transformation, and strategic direction, while maintaining operational excellence and meeting applicable regulatory, privacy, and risk requirements. The role is based at Morningstar’s global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Employees are expected to work in the office four days per week, with one preferred remote workday under the company’s flexible in-office model. Travel may be required to engage with global teams and stakeholders, including operations centers in Madrid and Mumbai.

Requirements

At least 10 years of executive leadership experience leading large-scale data acquisition, operations, technology, or transformation organizations, with accountability for operational performance and modernization initiatives.
Strong understanding of financial, investment, reference, and/or market data ecosystems and the processes required to acquire, manage, enrich, and deliver high-quality datasets at scale.
Proven track record leading large-scale transformation using automation, AI-enabled capabilities, workflow modernization, and technology-driven process redesign to improve scalability, efficiency, quality, and productivity.
Experience leading large, globally distributed organizations through significant organizational change, operating model evolution, and continuous improvement.
Ability to partner across Product, Technology, Data Strategy, Research, and Commercial organizations to translate strategic priorities into operational and technology outcomes.
Exceptional leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills, including the ability to influence senior executives and drive enterprise-wide impact.
Experience implementing or sponsoring investments in AI, automation, workflow tooling, advanced analytics, and operational technologies in complex enterprise environments.
Willingness to travel as needed to engage with global teams and stakeholders, including operations centers in Madrid and Mumbai.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Experience leading complex, multi-layered organizations with responsibility for 300+ managers and individual contributors, including leaders-of-leaders and globally distributed teams.
Experience leading technology-enabled transformation within financial services, market data, investment data, reference data, or adjacent information services organizations.
Experience managing or sponsoring large-scale investments in data acquisition technology, workflow platforms, automation capabilities, and AI-powered operational solutions.
Familiarity with modern data platforms, cloud-based technologies, and enterprise-scale data operations environments.

Responsibilities

Lead a global organization responsible for acquiring, managing, enriching, and delivering investment, reference, and market data at scale.
Partner with Data Strategy, Product, and Research leaders to execute the enterprise data acquisition strategy and roadmap.
Translate strategic data priorities into scalable operational capabilities, processes, and technology solutions.
Adapt data acquisition approaches to evolving market opportunities, regulatory requirements, and client needs.
Improve accuracy, productivity, efficiency, and scalability while maintaining appropriate quality standards for each data product.
Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and client impact.
Establish a vision for modern, scalable, and highly automated data collection, acquisition, and production operations.
Drive investment decisions and prioritization for collection platforms, workflow tools, AI-enabled solutions, and operational technologies.
Partner with Engineering and Architecture leaders to modernize legacy systems and accelerate automation across the data lifecycle.
Champion adoption of AI, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies to improve operational effectiveness and scalability.
Establish operating metrics, performance frameworks, and management disciplines to continuously improve efficiency, quality, and throughput.
Monitor emerging technologies and industry best practices to advance data acquisition and operational innovation.
Execute data governance policies and operational frameworks in partnership with Data Strategy, Product, Risk, Compliance, and other stakeholders.
Ensure data collection, management, and operational processes comply with applicable regulatory, privacy, and risk requirements.
Build partnerships across Product, Research, Data Strategy, Technology, Commercial, and client-facing organizations.
Advise senior leadership on operational strategy, transformation priorities, investment decisions, and organizational effectiveness.
Promote a data-driven, customer-centric culture, collaboration, and accountability across the enterprise.

Benefits

100% 401(k) match up to 6% of salary.
Stock ownership potential.
Company-provided life insurance equal to 1x salary plus commission.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, with potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions of up to $500–$2,000 annually for specific plans and coverages.
Additional medical wellness incentives of up to $300–$600 annually.
Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance.
Trust-Based Time Off.
Six-week paid sabbatical program.
Six-week paid family caregiving leave.
Paid parental leave of 8–24 weeks.
Adoption assistance.
Leadership coaching and formal mentorship opportunities.
Annual flex stipend of $1,000 for personal education and well-being expenses.
Tuition reimbursement.
Charitable matching gifts program.
Dollars for Doers volunteer program.
Paid volunteering days.
15+ Employee Resource and Affinity Groups.
Total cash compensation range of $320,425–$491,325, inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive.
Hybrid work model with four in-office days per week and one preferred remote workday.