Senior Director, Data Management

Harris Associates•Chicago, IL

About The Position

At Harris, the true value of what makes us successful is found in our people. It is our unique mix of cultures, experiences, beliefs and backgrounds that sets Harris apart from the rest. We constantly strive to cultivate, nurture and amplify an unparalleled environment, where we value intellectual curiosity and uniqueness of thought. Inclusion is embedded in the very fabric of our culture of collaboration and openness. We understand that a job description only tells one part of a broader story, and Harris is seeking dynamic candidates who can add to our best-in-class environment. We recognize that qualifications can be gained through both traditional and non-traditional paths, and we are committed to considering candidates who possess the potential to be excellent in this role regardless of prior experiences. Therefore we encourage ALL interested individuals to submit their applications, even if they do not meet every requirement outlined in the job description. Position Summary: The Senior Director, Data Management is responsible for the strategic direction, governance, and operational oversight of the firm’s master data management functions, including the Security Data Management and Account Services teams. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Director will define and execute a forward‑looking data management strategy aligned with the firm’s evolving operating model and outsourced service framework. This role will strengthen data governance, enhance operational controls, modernize processes, and elevate data capabilities to support investment professionals, distribution, client service, and executive leadership. This role ensures the integrity, governance, and effectiveness of security master data, pricing, corporate actions, proxy voting, market data administration, client master data, and account reference data across core systems such as security and price reference data management (Eagle), CRM (Salesforce), order management systems (CRD) and other investment platforms. The Senior Director will be a key partner across Trading, Investment Operations, Technology, Compliance, Legal, and Client Service to ensure data accuracy, consistency, scalability, and regulatory compliance across the enterprise.

Requirements

12+ years of progressive experience in asset management, investment operations, or enterprise data management within financial services.
8+ years of senior leadership experience managing multi‑functional operational teams.
Deep expertise in: Security master and pricing data management Corporate actions and proxy administration Client and account reference data governance CRM data management (Salesforce strongly preferred) Data governance frameworks and operational controls
Demonstrated experience overseeing outsourced service providers and/or operating within outsourced models.
Proven success leading enterprise‑level transformation initiatives, including system implementations and process modernization.
Strong understanding of operational risk management and regulatory requirements impacting asset management firms.
Experience establishing data quality frameworks and metrics.
Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, influence cross‑functional stakeholders, and translate strategic vision into operational execution.
Strong executive presence with a collaborative, data‑driven leadership style and proven ability to build high‑performing teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience with State Street Alpha or similar outsourced investment operating platforms.
Familiarity with data architecture principles, data lineage, and data governance tools.

Responsibilities

Define and execute the firm’s master data management strategy aligned with business growth and operational scalability.
In partnership with Data Ops, establish and maintain a comprehensive data governance framework, including data ownership, controls, stewardship, quality standards, and escalation protocols.
Develop enterprise‑wide data policies, procedures, and standards covering security master, pricing, corporate actions, market data, and client/account reference data.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance data quality, automation, transparency, and reporting capabilities.
Serve as the senior escalation point for material data issues impacting investment operations, reporting, client service, or regulatory obligations.
Strengthen internal controls, reconciliation processes, and supervisory frameworks across both teams.
Partner with Compliance and Legal to ensure data processes meet regulatory requirements (e.g., SEC, global regulatory obligations, privacy as applicable)
Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies
Establish KPIs and metrics to monitor data quality, timeliness, and overall operational performance.
Drive automation and process optimization to reduce manual intervention and minimize operational risk.
Partner closely with Technology to prioritize and implement data architecture enhancements.
Lead business input for system upgrades, integrations, and workflow automation initiatives.
Maintain executive‑level oversight of key data vendors and outsourced service providers.
Ensure vendor performance aligns with contractual SLAs and business expectations.
Lead and develop high‑performing teams across Security Data Management and Account Services, fostering a culture of accountability, data stewardship, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
Align team objectives with firm‑wide strategic priorities and build long-term talent capabilities to support the firm’s evolving data needs.