Head of Data Operations, Direct Platform

About the Role

Responsibilities

Data Operations Leadership

• Lead a global organization responsible for acquiring, managing, enriching, and delivering investment, reference, and market data at scale.
• Partner with Data Strategy, Product, and Research leaders to execute the enterprise data acquisition strategy and roadmap.
• Translate strategic data priorities into scalable operational capabilities, processes, and technology solutions.
• Drive organizational agility by rapidly adapting data acquisition approaches to evolving market opportunities, regulatory requirements, and client needs.
• Lead initiatives that improve accuracy, productivity, efficiency, and scalability while maintaining appropriate quality standards for each data product.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and client impact.

Data Platforms & Technology Transformation

• Lead the evolution of Morningstar's data collection, acquisition, and production ecosystem, establishing a vision for modern, scalable, and highly automated operations.
• Drive investment decisions and prioritization for collection platforms, workflow tools, AI-enabled solutions, and operational technologies.
• Partner with Engineering and Architecture leaders to modernize legacy systems and accelerate automation across the data lifecycle.
• Champion the adoption of AI, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies to improve operational effectiveness and scalability.
• Establish operating metrics, performance frameworks, and management disciplines to continuously improve efficiency, quality, and throughput.
• Monitor emerging technologies and industry best practices to ensure Morningstar remains at the forefront of data acquisition and operational innovation.

Governance, Risk & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Execute data governance policies and operational frameworks established in partnership with Data Strategy, Product, Risk, Compliance, and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure data collection, management, and operational processes comply with applicable regulatory, privacy, and risk requirements.
• Build strong partnerships across Product, Research, Data Strategy, Technology, Commercial, and Client-facing organizations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on operational strategy, transformation priorities, investment decisions, and organizational effectiveness.
• Champion a data-driven, customer-centric culture across the enterprise while promoting collaboration and accountability.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of executive leadership experience leading large-scale data acquisition, operations, technology, or transformation organizations, with accountability for both operational performance and modernization initiatives.
• Strong understanding of financial, investment, reference, and/or market data ecosystems, including the operational processes required to acquire, manage, enrich, and deliver high-quality datasets at scale.
• Proven track record leading large-scale transformation efforts leveraging automation, AI-enabled capabilities, workflow modernization, and technology-driven process redesign to improve scalability, efficiency, quality, and productivity.
• Experience leading large, globally distributed organizations through significant organizational change, operating model evolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively across Product, Technology, Data Strategy, Research, and Commercial organizations to translate strategic priorities into operational and technology outcomes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills, with the ability to influence senior executives and drive enterprise-wide impact.
• Experience implementing or sponsoring investments in AI, automation, workflow tooling, advanced analytics, and operational technologies within complex enterprise environments.
• Willingness to travel as needed to engage with global teams and stakeholders, including operations centers in Madrid and Mumbai.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Experience leading technology-enabled transformation within financial services, market data, investment data, reference data, or adjacent information services organizations.
• Experience managing or sponsoring large-scale investments in data acquisition technology, workflow platforms, automation capabilities, and AI-powered operational solutions.
• Familiarity with modern data platforms, cloud-based technologies, and enterprise-scale data operations environments.

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health

  • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary

  • Stock Ownership Potential

  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health 

  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages

  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual

  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health 

  • Trust-Based Time Off

  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program

  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave

  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave

  • Adoption Assistance

  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities

  • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses

  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health 

  • Charitable Matching Gifts program

  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program

  • Paid volunteering days

  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Total Cash Compensation Range

Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.