Index Governance Data Leader

Nasdaq•Philadelphia, PA

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Index Governance Data Leader is responsible for establishing, coordinating, and overseeing data governance practices across the end-to-end Index Data Lifecycle. This role will be part of the Index Governance Team and partners closely with cross‑functional teams—including Index Management, Data Operations, Technology, Product, and Client-facing functions—to ensure that data-related processes, controls, and hand‑offs are clearly documented, consistently executed, and transparently reported. The successful candidate will bring deep experience operating in financial services data environments, a strong understanding of governance and control frameworks, and the ability to communicate clearly with senior executives and stakeholders.

Requirements

8–12+ years of experience in financial services, with significant exposure to data governance, data management, or data controls.
Strong understanding of complex, production data environments (preferably within index, market data, risk, or analytics functions).
Demonstrated experience working across multiple functions and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
Proven ability to document and operationalize processes, controls, and governance frameworks.
Solid project management experience, including managing dependencies across teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing executive‑level reporting and presentations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in index businesses, market data providers, or regulated financial benchmarks.
Familiarity with regulatory and industry frameworks (e.g., IOSCO Principles, EU BMR, internal control frameworks).
Experience supporting audits, regulatory reviews, or control assessments.
Comfortable balancing strategic governance objectives with practical, operational execution.

Responsibilities

Own and maintain the data governance framework across the Index Data Lifecycle, from data sourcing through calculation, dissemination, and downstream use.
Ensure key data-related processes, decision points, controls, and hand‑offs are documented, standardized, and kept current.
Define and promote clear ownership and accountability for data assets, processes, and controls across teams.
Identify data risks, control gaps, and dependencies across the lifecycle and partner with stakeholders to remediate them.
Act as the central coordination point for data governance efforts across Index Management, Technology, Operations, Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Product teams.
Facilitate working groups and forums to align stakeholders on governance standards, process improvements, and implementation priorities.
Support new initiatives, data sources, and methodology changes by ensuring governance requirements are embedded from design through execution.
Design and maintain governance reporting that provides clear visibility into data processes, controls, issues, and remediation status.
Develop executive‑level dashboards, summaries, and briefing materials for senior management, committees, and governing bodies.
Support internal audits, regulatory inquiries, and external reviews by providing clear documentation and evidence of data governance practices.
Lead or support data governance–related initiatives and remediations using disciplined project management practices (scope, milestones, dependencies, and risks).
Ensure changes to data processes or controls are assessed, approved, documented, and communicated appropriately.
Translate complex data and control concepts into clear, actionable guidance for non‑technical stakeholders.