Manager, Index Operations
Chicago | Hybrid (4 days/week)
The Opportunity
Our client, a leading global financial markets infrastructure provider, is seeking a Manager, Index Operations to lead its U.S. index operations function.
This role combines people leadership, quantitative analysis, index calculation, and operational oversight, supporting a growing suite of benchmark and derivatives indices. You'll work closely with product, technology, quantitative research, and clients to ensure the accuracy, scalability, and integrity of index operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a team responsible for daily index operations and production.
- Oversee the calculation, validation, and quality assurance of benchmark and derivatives indices.
- Drive automation and operational improvements using Python and other analytical tools.
- Support new index launches from implementation through ongoing production.
- Partner with product, technology, and quantitative teams to enhance methodologies and operational processes.
- Participate in governance and committee discussions surrounding index methodologies and enhancements.
- Serve as a key point of contact for clients regarding operational support and index calculations.
- Lead post-incident reviews and implement process improvements to strengthen operational controls.
Ideal Background
We're looking for professionals with experience in one or more of the following:
- Exchange operators
- Index providers
- Market infrastructure firms
- Asset managers
- Financial data and analytics providers
- Trading or quantitative research organizations
What You'll Bring
- Experience leading index operations, benchmark administration, or quantitative market operations.
- Strong understanding of options, equities, financial markets, or index products.
- Hands-on experience with Python (preferred), SQL, or other analytical programming languages.
- Knowledge of index methodologies, calculations, and operational controls.
- Experience managing operational processes in a regulated or highly controlled environment.
- Strong leadership, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Experience
- Financial indexing and benchmark administration
- Derivatives and options markets
- Quantitative analysis
- Python automation
- Data validation and quality assurance
- Process improvement and operational controls
- Team leadership
Why This Role
- Lead a high-impact function supporting widely used financial indices.
- Blend leadership, quantitative analysis, and operational strategy.
- Influence new product launches and methodology enhancements.
- Work closely with product, technology, and quantitative teams.
- Join a collaborative, technology-driven organization with significant opportunities for growth and visibility.