Director, Private Markets Research

About the Global Investment Research Team

The Global Investment Research (GIR) team is a client-facing investment research group, within the Equity and Multi-Asset business vertical of FTSE Russell, with team members in the Americas, EMEA and APAC. The team publishes insights on current market dynamics across global regions and asset classes (e.g., equities, equity factors, fixed income, multi-asset, cross-asset, wealth, asset allocation, portfolio construction dynamics). Our analysis is based primarily on data from FTSE Russell indices, along with other LSEG data sets and some external data sources. Our research, by way of regular reports, topical commentaries and deep-dive empirical research, and our research presentations to clients and the investment and wealth ecosystem, enhances our engagement with clients, including asset owners, asset managers, ETF issuers and wealth channels.

Role Purpose and responsibilities

This role sits within the FTSE Russell Global Investment Research (GIR) team, and can be based in New York or London, and is focused on private markets investment research. FTSE Russell has recently partnered with Stepstone Group and has developed Private Market Indices. The role holder will be pivotal in expanding GIRs research to provide clients with investable insights across private equity, private credit, infrastructure, and real estate; with scope for the universe to extend.

The candidate should be comfortable developing private markets research using index data (FTSE Russell & Stepstone index families, and other possible indices in the future), and from a cross-asset perspective to highlight asset allocation insights within private markets as well as how private markets fit into wider cross-asset portfolios from a total portfolio perspective, including public and private markets.

The ideal candidate should understand the impact of macroeconomics on financial markets, and have a background in private-markets in asset management, asset owner, investment research (buy-side or sell-side) or private-markets’ multi-manager research. The role requires a combination of three essential skills:  

(a) Deep understanding of financial markets holistically, the private markets landscape and ability to explain relative merits between them and how they could be integrated into portfolios.

(b) Strong quantitative skills. Ideally familiarity with Python (or other coding languages), and analytics platforms like LSEG Workspace and Datastream.

(c) The ability to communicate clearly & succinctly, and present to clients across the value chain and investor ecosystem.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Lead the initiation of Private Markets research for GIR. Should be deeply familiar with various parts of private markets (private equity, private credit, real assets like infrastructure and real estate etc). Doing research and investment writing for delivering high quality, thought-provoking research content, by way of regular periodical research reports, impactful short story-telling pieces, topical research insights, white papers and deep thematic research, published through multiple channels. All research efforts are aimed at deepening client engagement, providing critical support for FTSE Russell’s existing and new equity, multi-asset, private markets indices, increasing the value proposition and awareness of FTSE Russell indices within the institutional and wealth channels.

• Proactively thinking of utilizing new datasets and analytics to expand the repertoire of GIR research into private markets.

• Hosting webinars, senior/strategic client-facing research engagements and actively participate in industry conferences and events. Strong written and verbal presentation skills are a must, and the gravity to interact with very senior clients including the C-level.

• Working closely & collaboratively with others in the GIR team and contributing to the research efforts of team members across asset classes, who are based in different global locations.

• Actively engaging and partnering with key internal stakeholders in Product, Index methodology research, Marketing, Sales, and external stakeholders of FTSE Russell. Working closely with regional and global teams to support index product strategies to drive ETF client adoption and AUM-based revenues from both.

• Be comfortable with both the Wealth and Institutional channels.

Requirements

• Post-Graduate degree in investment management related field, or equivalent experience. CAIA or CFA would be a big plus.

• 10+ years experience in private markets investment research and portfolio management, either on buy-side or sell-side, in wealth or institutional money management.

• Deep understanding of global financial markets, multi-asset investing and private markets is an absolute must. Essential to have a holistic understanding of financial markets from a macroeconomics to multi-asset perspective.

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of investment analytics and quantitative investment techniques. Strong background in statistics, econometrics, and numerical methods is needed.

• Good coding skills to support empirical research, including good working knowledge of a quantitative programming language such as Python. Should be comfortable using Jupyter Notebooks, running Python scripts, extracting data from APIs and essentially doing analysis in code. Familiarity with Git, collaborating on coding projects / package management, Streamlit / Dash experience and SQL would be great.  

• Familiarity with and interest in financial data required. Experience with LSEG Workspace and Datastream, and similar data platforms would be a great plus. Experience working with index data and financial datasets would be a great plus.

• A proven track record of authorship of client facing research publications and presentations.

• Experience of senior level client engagement in a research capacity, with the required gravitas and presentation skills.

• Ability to work in a global team across time zones

Career Stage:

Director

Compensation/Benefits Information:

LSEG is committed to offering competitive Compensation and Benefits. The anticipated base salary for this position is $239,800 - $399,600.

Please be aware base salary ranges may vary by geographic location, city and state. In addition to our offered base salary, this role is eligible for our Annual Incentive Plan (AIP/”bonus plan”). Target AIP rates will be commensurate with role level and posted career stage. Individual salary will be reflective of job related knowledge, skills and equivalent experience. LSEG roles (excluding internships and part-time roles of less than 20 hours per week) are typically eligible for inclusion in our LSEG Benefits program, which includes offerings of: Annual Wellness Allowance, Paid time-off, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending & Health Savings Options, Prescription Drug plan, 401(K) Savings Plan and Company match. LSEG’s Benefits plan also includes basic life insurance, disability benefits, emergency backup dependent care, adoption assistance commuter assistance etc.

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) Information:

Join us and be part of a team that values innovation, quality, and continuous improvement. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a significant impact, we'd love to hear from you.

LSEG is a leading global financial markets infrastructure and data provider. Our purpose is driving financial stability, empowering economies and enabling customers to create sustainable growth.

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