Index Design R&D Team Manager, Director

S&P Global•New York, NY

About The Position

S&P Dow Jones Indices is seeking an R&D Team Manager to lead a team of R&D experts delivering index research, design, analysis, and scalable capabilities within the Equities & Digital Assets value stream. Reporting to the Head of Equities & Digital Assets Index Design, the manager translates value stream priorities into an executable team backlog and ensures consistent, timely delivery of index concepts while providing subject-matter expertise. This is primarily a people-leadership role, covering hiring, development, coaching, and performance management while fostering disciplined execution, collaboration, and client focus. The manager combines technical and domain expertise with leadership, ensures adoption of operating standards and agile practices, and continuously improves delivery quality. The role works closely with Product Management, Commercial, Index Engineering, and other partners to support cross-functional collaboration and internal and external engagements. It contributes technical expertise to client and stakeholder discussions and supports execution of the value stream strategy and the delivery of differentiated, client-focused index solutions.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in R&D, portfolio/index design, or related technical roles.
At least 3 years of experience directly managing and developing people.
Extensive industry knowledge of impactful trends and the future direction of core index, asset, wealth, and capital market industries.
Experience owning team backlogs and leading delivery in an agile or iterative operating model.
Experience supporting client or stakeholder engagements through technical expertise.
Advanced degree, MBA, or equivalent experience required (listed under Preferred Qualifications).

Nice To Haves

CFA or PhD is desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to the conceptualization, design, and analysis of new indices and scalable capabilities, personally handling the most complex or highest-risk work while coaching team members.
Serve as the team’s technical escalation point and methodology coach; uphold analytical quality and innovation through reviews, mentoring, and selective hands-on work.
Seek customer feedback to understand needs and requirements and support end-to-end feature delivery.
Ensure team-level adoption of agreed operating standards and agile practices defined at the value stream level.
Build relationships across R&D, Product, and functional teams to support collaboration and identify cross-product opportunities.
Partner with Commercial to develop relationships with clients and internal and external stakeholders through R&D designs, capabilities, innovation, and best practices.
Resolve complex technical challenges and unblock delivery through expert analysis, design reviews, and hands-on problem-solving.
Hire, onboard, and performance-manage team members.
Develop team members’ skills and capabilities for efficient and effective performance.
Adopt the day-to-day backlog prioritization and delivery process defined by the Head of Index Design.
Own team backlog planning, prioritization, and refinement, translating value stream priorities into clear, executable work aligned with stakeholders.
Inspire and empower the team to deliver business outcomes against priorities and OKRs.
Set development and growth targets and lead team-member performance assessments, supporting ongoing professional development.
Participate in value stream performance calibration to support consistency, fairness, and alignment with enterprise standards.
Contribute technical expertise to internal and external engagements, including client discussions on specific projects, in support of value stream objectives.