Job Purpose
We are seeking an exceptional Senior Director of Index Research & Development to lead our Index Research & Development team in designing, developing, and implementing next-generation index methodologies. This strategic leadership role will drive innovation in index construction, backtesting new ideas and approaches to provide solutions to evolving investor needs. While the core role is the development of new indices and approaches to index construction, a critical part of the role is to also deliver thought leadership to our clients and put ICE Data Indices at the forefront of innovation in index design. This Index R&D role is not confined to any specific asset segment boundaries. Suitable candidates are expected to be deeply knowledgeable of fixed income securities and analytics, but also familiar with equities and commodity futures, swaps, etc., and all associated quantitative methods for analyzing risk and return of these market segments.
Responsibilities
Strategic LeadershipDefine and execute the strategic vision for Index R&D initiatives aligned with business objectivesLead, mentor, and develop a team of quantitative researchers, data scientists, and index specialistsCollaborate with senior leadership to identify market opportunities and drive product innovationEstablish research priorities and allocate resources across multiple concurrent projectsPresent research findings and recommendations to executive leadership and external stakeholdersIndex Methodology & ResearchDesign and develop sophisticated index methodologies incorporating advanced quantitative techniquesConduct rigorous research on factor models, portfolio construction, and risk-adjusted performance optimizationEvaluate and implement cutting-edge approaches to index weighting, rebalancing, and constituent selectionPerform quantitative analysis of market microstructure, liquidity dynamics, and transaction cost modelingDevelop proprietary frameworks for ESG integration, thematic indices, and alternative beta strategiesTechnical InnovationArchitect scalable quantitative frameworks and computational infrastructure for index calculation and backtestingImplement advanced numerical methods including optimization algorithms, Monte Carlo simulation, and machine learning techniquesDevelop automated data pipelines and analytical tools to enhance research productivityEnsure robust validation, testing, and quality control of all methodologies and systemsStay current with academic research and industry best practices in quantitative financeCross-Functional CollaborationPartner with Product Management to translate research insights into commercially viable index productsCollaborate with Index Operations to ensure seamless implementation and maintenance of methodologiesWork with Sales and Client Services teams to provide technical expertise and thought leadershipEngage with external clients, consultants, and industry partners on complex quantitative challengesContribute to white papers, publications, and conference presentations to enhance firm visibility
Knowledge and Experience
Advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master's) in Quantitative Finance, Financial Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or related quantitative field10+ years of progressive experience in quantitative research within indices, asset management, investment banking, or financial marketsProven track record of developing and implementing quantitative methodologies in production environments5+ years of leadership experience managing quantitative research or analytics teamsProgramming: Expert-level proficiency in Python for quantitative analysis, statistical modeling, and automationDatabase: Advanced SQL skills for complex data extraction, transformation, and analysisNumerical Methods: Deep expertise in advanced numerical techniques including:Optimization algorithms (linear, quadratic, convex, non-convex)Stochastic calculus and time series analysisNumerical linear algebra and matrix computationsMonte Carlo methods and statistical simulationComputational efficiency and algorithm designStrong understanding of index construction methodologies, factor models, and portfolio theoryExperience with distributed computing frameworks and large-scale data processingComprehensive knowledge of global equity, fixed income, commodity, and/or multi-asset indicesDeep understanding of market microstructure, trading mechanisms, and regulatory frameworksExpertise in risk modeling, performance attribution, and quantitative portfolio analyticsFamiliarity with benchmark governance, index licensing, and industry standards (IOSCO principles)
Preferred Knowledge and Experience
Machine learning and predictive modeling (supervised and unsupervised learning)Feature engineering and dimensionality reduction techniquesNatural language processing for alternative data analysisDeep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) for financial applicationsExperience with R, MATLAB, C++, or JuliaCloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)Big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop, Databricks)Version control (Git) and DevOps practicesPublished research in peer-reviewed journals or industry publicationsCFA, FRM, or other relevant professional certificationsExperience with ESG data, alternative data sources, and climate risk analyticsTrack record of patent applications or proprietary methodology development
New York Base Salary Range
The expected base salary for this role, if located in New York, is between $242,00 - 320,00 USD. The base salary range does not include Intercontinental Exchange’s incentive compensation. While we provide this range as general guidance, at ICE we compensate employees based on the skillset and experience of the individual. Regular full-time ICE employees are eligible for a suite of competitive employee benefits, including healthcare coverage (medical, dental and vision), a 401(k) plan, life insurance, time off, and paid leave for qualifying circumstances.
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Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics.