Equity Index Policy, Senior Manager

Location: Fort Mill, S.C, and Washington State

The FTSE Russell Policy Team oversees the index methodologies and guidelines for indices such as the FTSE UK Index Series, the Russell US Indexes, and the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (FTSE GEIS) and subsets thereof. Additionally, they lead the Equity Country Classification process which ensures markets are classified appropriately as Developed, Advanced Emerging, Secondary Emerging, or Frontier within the global benchmarks. The Equity Index Policy, Senior Manager will play a vital role in the ongoing evolution and maintenance of the index ground rules, index eligibility criteria, and the published policy guidelines.

Based in New York, Seattle or Fort Mill, this role involves being part of a motivated, high-performing distributed team focused on ensuring that the FTSE Russell equity indices continue to capture the relevant exposure objectives in an efficient and replicable manner, via objective and transparent methodologies. Including, close collaboration with the data, index research, operations, and product teams to propose and deliver methodology enhancements designed to meet evolving client needs. These changes can be consequent to a changing market or regulatory environment, or in reaction to specific events that are not currently captured by the index methodologies or policy guidelines.

The role requires interaction and close engagement with clients, company advisors, stock exchanges, local regulators, and the relevant external advisory committees to help guide whether changes to the index methodologies provide optimal outcomes for index managers.

We understand that to attract the best talent, we need to be flexible, and we are open to discussing work arrangements with the qualified candidate selected for this role. We are part of a global organization.

This role will work closely with teams across our organization with focus on our US based clients and will be posted out of our New York, Seattle or Fort Mill offices!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• With other members of the Policy team, ensure that published policy documents remain up to date and incorporate standard methodology, including the Ground Rules, policy guidelines, factsheet templates, and any additional documentation required for compliance with the European or UK Benchmark Regulation including benchmark statements

• Continually seek to enhance the methodology documents by incorporating new ideas generated independently, internally, or through interactions with partners, clients, and advisory committee members. Prepare papers and well-articulated proposals to be presented internally and externally

• Support client engagement through road shows, presentations about index methodology changes and consultations

• Proactively cultivate relationships with committee members, other clients, and partners. Engage with and support FTSE Russell clients seeking clarification on index methodology related items

• Assist with the maintenance of the FTSE Equity Country Classification through the Country Classification Advisory Committee and engagements with exchanges, central banks and regulators. Assess countries for promotion or demotion in the framework and assist with the communication of changes in an orderly manner and in line with protocol

• In the event of incidents relating to the FTSE Russell index series, help assist with their resolution in collaboration with the Incident Oversight team. Specifically, providing policy expertise and insight into potential remedial actions, in accordance with the relevant guidelines and protocols

• Chair internal forums where required

• Advise the internal teams on the handling of complex corporate actions, using the relevant internal forums to discuss forthcoming events where co-ordination across several index series and regions is required, including editorial oversight of the applicable client notifications. Propose changes to the Corporate Actions and Events Guidelines where enhanced treatments have been identified

• Assist the Client Services and the applicable internal teams in responding to methodology queries relating to the FTSE Russell indices, ensuring the required protocol is followed for responding to price sensitive items

• Collaborate with Marketing to develop collateral (client presentations, webinars, etc.) to increase the visibility and capabilities of the Index Policy Team to both internal and external partners

• Upon request from internal or external auditors, provide the necessary documentation that form part of the tasks of the Index Policy Team within FTSE Russell's governance framework

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills with experience of engaging with internal and external partners

• Proven experience (5+ years) within the financial services or index industry with a strong understanding of how equity indices are used and managed within the financial services ecosystem

• Demonstrated history of thought leadership and collaboration across business areas to deliver optimal client outcomes

• Leadership of a successful cross-functional project or team, ensuring specific objectives were met

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Ability to carefully consider facts and information before making informed judgements or proposals which are articulated concisely and clearly

• Ability to quickly identify and understand a problem before evaluating and generating ideas to provide optimal solutions

• Communicates with clarity and precision (both verbally and written), presenting complex or technical information in a format that is audience appropriate, both internally and externally

• A meticulous attention to detail

• Works efficiently, in a highly organized manner, and collaborates effectively across business areas

• Prioritises workloads proactively, recognizing critical tasks which require timely attention

• MS Office proficient (e.g. MS Teams, Outlook, Excel, etc.).