Director, Operational Transformation

FTSE Russell is seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Leader to drive the transformation and change management of operations within our Benchmark and Index Management division!

This role will be responsible for developing and owning the strategy for automation and migration of operational processes across Index Management, Data Management, and Index Rebalances.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical knowledge, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and a proven track record in large-scale transformation within the financial services or index industry.

Role Scope & Purpose

• Own the operational transformation agenda for Benchmark and Index Management, with accountability for outcomes rather than activity.

• Design and implement a future‑state Target Operating Model (TOM) that enables scalable growth, improved control, and faster innovation.

• Act as a senior partner to business, technology, risk, and data leadership, balancing commercial priorities with regulatory and operational requirements.

• Lead transformation as a combination of process, technology, organisational change, and behavioural adoption.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Transformation & Target Operating Model

• Define and own the strategy for automation and migration of operational processes across the Benchmark & Index Management lifecycle.

• Design a Target Operating Model that clearly articulates:

  • End‑to‑end processes and ownership

  • Decision rights and governance

  • Control points and risk ownership

  • Technology enablement and data flows

• Translate strategic intent into a coherent, prioritised transformation roadmap with clear milestones and outcomes.

Organisational Change & Adoption

• Lead transformation with a strong focus on organisational change, ensuring initiatives are adopted, embedded, and sustained.

• Sponsor change management approaches covering collaborator impact, communication, capability uplift, and behavioural change.

• Support leaders and SMEs through role and accountability shifts required by the future operating model.

Cross‑Domain Operational Leadership

Provide cohesive leadership across multiple, interdependent operational domains:

• Index Management

  • Transform processes supporting index lifecycle activity, including corporate actions and methodology changes.

  • Improve scalability, timeliness, and consistency while reducing dependency on manual intervention.

• Data Management

  • Redesign data operations to improve quality, accuracy, traceability, and resilience.

  • Strengthen ownership and accountability for data across the operating model.

• Index Rebalances

  • Innovate and automate rebalance processes to enhance execution certainty, accuracy, and time‑critical delivery.

  • Reduce operational risk in high‑volume, market‑sensitive events.

Technology & Automation Enablement

• Set a clear strategic direction for process automation and enabling technologies.

• Balance tactical delivery with long‑term platform evolution.

• Ensure teams develop the skills, tools, and mindset required to operate in a more automated, data‑driven environment.

Governance, Risk & Resilience

• Ensure transformation activity strengthens operational resilience, control, and governance.

• Embed risk considerations into process design rather than addressing them retrospectively.

• Balance a control‑driven environment with the need to deliver responsive, time‑critical solutions for clients.

Value, Prioritisation & Execution

• Identify and prioritise initiatives based on business value, risk reduction, scalability, and strategic fit.

• Own investment cases, sequencing decisions, and budget accountability.

• Make and stand behind difficult trade‑offs when capacity, funding, or timing constraints arise.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead and develop a team of change, transformation and process efficiency specialists, alongside business subject‑matter experts.

• Build transformation capability within the business, moving from dependency on central roles to embedded ownership.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration.

Measurement & Outcomes

• Define and track transformation success across multiple dimensions:

  • Operational efficiency and cost

  • Risk reduction and control effectiveness

  • Time‑to‑market and scalability

  • Enablement of growth and innovation

• Provide clear, outcome‑focused reporting to senior collaborators.

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive senior‑level experience delivering large‑scale operational or organisational transformation within financial services or similarly regulated environments.

• Proven track record designing and implementing Target Operating Models covering process, technology, organisation, and governance.

• Strong experience leading change and adoption, not just technology or process delivery.

• Demonstrated ability to influence at executive level and lead through complex matrix structures.

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including investment prioritisation and budget management.

• Deep understanding of operational risk, controls, and governance principles.

Leadership Capabilities & Attributes

• Enterprise‑level thinking and systems perspective

• Credible transformation and change leadership

• Strong judgement and decision‑making under pressure

• Ability to balance control, efficiency, and innovation

• Executive‑level communication and collaborator management

• Coaching‑oriented leadership and talent development

Career Stage:

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.

Our purpose is the foundation on which our culture is built. Our values of Integrity, Partnership, Excellence and Change underpin our purpose and set the standard for everything we do, every day. They go to the heart of who we are and guide our decision making and everyday actions.

Working with us means that you will be part of a dynamic organisation of 25,000 people across 65 countries. However, we will value your individuality and enable you to bring your true self to work so you can help enrich our diverse workforce.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. This means that we do not discriminate on the basis of anyone’s race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. Conforming with applicable law, we can reasonably accommodate applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs.

You will be part of a collaborative and creative culture where we encourage new ideas. We are committed to sustainability across our global business and we are proud to partner with our customers to help them meet their sustainability objectives. Our charity, the LSEG Foundation provides charitable grants to community groups that help people access economic opportunities and build a secure future with financial independence. Colleagues can get involved through fundraising and volunteering.

LSEG offers a range of tailored benefits and support, including healthcare, retirement planning, paid volunteering days and wellbeing initiatives.

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