Senior Director, Research

About the role

The Research & Policy Center (RPC) at CFA Institute is seeking a Senior Director, Research to lead and develop a team of researchers, oversee research projects, and contribute to thought leadership and external engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of researchers, providing guidance, coaching, and developmental support to strengthen research capabilities and professional growth.
• Oversee research projects from concept through publication, ensuring methodological rigor, analytical quality, and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Provide editorial review, quality assurance, and constructive feedback across research outputs to ensure publication readiness and consistency.
• Author and contribute to original research, thought leadership, and industry analysis on topics relevant to investment professionals and capital markets.
• Develop and refine research proposals that support strategic priorities and emerging industry themes.
• Translate complex research findings into accessible, high-quality publications and thought leadership content for external audiences.
• Serve as a senior subject matter expert and spokesperson for CFA Institute research.
• Represent CFA Institute at conferences, industry events, academic forums, media engagements, and stakeholder meetings.
• Build and maintain relationships with academics, practitioners, policymakers, industry experts, and external research partners.
• Monitor developments across investment management, capital markets, regulation, and industry practice to inform research priorities.
• Help scale and strengthen the research function by expanding senior review capacity, improving research workflows, and reducing publication bottlenecks.
• Contribute to the continuous evolution of research standards, editorial excellence, and portfolio-wide quality assurance practices.

Requirements

• Extensive experience conducting, leading, publishing, or overseeing research within investment management, asset management, investment banking, financial services, policy, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success managing, mentoring, or developing staff and research teams.
• Strong track record of producing, reviewing, and supervising high-quality research and thought leadership.
• Deep understanding of investment management, capital markets, and industry trends.
• Experience presenting research findings to senior stakeholders, industry audiences, media, or conference attendees.
• Proven ability to evaluate research methodologies, provide critical review, and improve research quality and impact.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to transform complex analysis into compelling, publishable content.
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills with confidence representing an organization externally.
• Experience operating effectively within complex, global, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• CFA Charterholder status, active CFA Program candidacy, or other relevant postgraduate qualifications are highly valued.
• Experience or expertise in private markets, asset management, or related investment disciplines would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Annual incentive bonus
• 12% employer contribution to a 401(k) or pension plan
• Comprehensive medical benefits package