Morningstar

Head of Data Operations, Direct Platform

Morningstar$311K — $477K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of executive leadership experience in large-scale data acquisition or operations
  • Strong understanding of financial and market data ecosystems
  • Proven track record in leading technology-driven transformation efforts
  • Experience managing globally distributed organizations through significant change
  • Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills
  • Willingness to travel to engage with global teams
  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; advanced degree preferred

Responsibilities

  • Lead global data operations organization for investment data management
  • Partner with leaders to execute data acquisition strategy
  • Translate data priorities into scalable operational processes
  • Adapt data acquisition approaches to changing market and client needs
  • Drive initiatives for accuracy and efficiency in data products
  • Foster a culture of accountability and innovation
  • Establish metrics for continuous improvement across operations

Benefits

  • 100% 401k match up to 6%
  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision
  • Trust-Based Time Off and paid sabbatical program
  • Extensive paid parental leave and family caregiving options
  • Annual $1,000 Flex Stipend for personal education and well-being
  • Charitable matching gifts program and paid volunteering days
Full Job Description

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.

Location: This role is based at our global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Regardless of office, there is an expectation of four days per week in the office. Morningstar operates a flexible in-office model in which employees select one preferred remote workday per week.

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

$311,100.00-477,000.00

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.

001_MstarInc Morningstar Inc. Legal Entity

About Morningstar

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors. Morningstar provides data on approximately 530,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 18 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with more than $200 billion in assets under advisement and management as of December 31, 2020. The company has operations in 29 countries.
Learn more about Morningstar
Size
10,038 employees
Market Cap
$9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$223.6 million
Founded
1984
5 Year Trend
+16.3%
Revenue
$1.3 billion
NASDAQ

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