Senior Director of Index Research & Development

Overview

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 Leadership
  • Define and execute the strategic vision for Index R&D initiatives aligned with business objectives
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of quantitative researchers, data scientists, and index specialists
  • Collaborate with senior leadership to identify market opportunities and drive product innovation
  • Establish research priorities and allocate resources across multiple concurrent projects
  • Present research findings and recommendations to executive leadership and external stakeholders
• Index Methodology & Research
  • Design and develop sophisticated index methodologies incorporating advanced quantitative techniques
  • Conduct rigorous research on factor models, portfolio construction, and risk-adjusted performance optimization
  • Evaluate and implement cutting-edge approaches to index weighting, rebalancing, and constituent selection
  • Perform quantitative analysis of market microstructure, liquidity dynamics, and transaction cost modeling
  • Develop proprietary frameworks for ESG integration, thematic indices, and alternative beta strategies
• Technical Innovation
  • Architect scalable quantitative frameworks and computational infrastructure for index calculation and backtesting
  • Implement advanced numerical methods including optimization algorithms, Monte Carlo simulation, and machine learning techniques
  • Develop automated data pipelines and analytical tools to enhance research productivity
  • Ensure robust validation, testing, and quality control of all methodologies and systems
  • Stay current with academic research and industry best practices in quantitative finance
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Product Management to translate research insights into commercially viable index products
  • Collaborate with Index Operations to ensure seamless implementation and maintenance of methodologies
  • Work with Sales and Client Services teams to provide technical expertise and thought leadership
  • Engage with external clients, consultants, and industry partners on complex quantitative challenges
  • Contribute 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 field
• 10+ years of progressive experience in quantitative research within indices, asset management, investment banking, or financial markets
• Proven track record of developing and implementing quantitative methodologies in production environments
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing quantitative research or analytics teams
• Programming: Expert-level proficiency in Python for quantitative analysis, statistical modeling, and automation
• Database: Advanced SQL skills for complex data extraction, transformation, and analysis
• Numerical Methods: Deep expertise in advanced numerical techniques including:
  • Optimization algorithms (linear, quadratic, convex, non-convex)
  • Stochastic calculus and time series analysis
  • Numerical linear algebra and matrix computations
  • Monte Carlo methods and statistical simulation
  • Computational efficiency and algorithm design
• Strong understanding of index construction methodologies, factor models, and portfolio theory
• Experience with distributed computing frameworks and large-scale data processing
• Comprehensive knowledge of global equity, fixed income, commodity, and/or multi-asset indices
• Deep understanding of market microstructure, trading mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks
• Expertise in risk modeling, performance attribution, and quantitative portfolio analytics
• Familiarity 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 techniques
• Natural language processing for alternative data analysis
• Deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) for financial applications
• Experience with R, MATLAB, C++, or Julia
• Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• Big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop, Databricks)
• Version control (Git) and DevOps practices
• Published research in peer-reviewed journals or industry publications
• CFA, FRM, or other relevant professional certifications
• Experience with ESG data, alternative data sources, and climate risk analytics
• Track 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.