Director - Central Benchmark Lead

EASTSPRING INVESTMENTS (SINGAPORE) LIMITED; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment firm in Singapore is seeking an experienced Benchmark Manager to oversee benchmark governance and vendor relationships. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of data management experience within the asset management industry and a strong understanding of index methodologies. Key responsibilities include consolidating benchmark data requirements, managing the benchmark lifecycle, and engaging with stakeholders to optimize benchmark practices. This role demands strong project management skills and expertise in financial data platforms.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of data management experience in asset management.
• Extensive experience in investment management and benchmark governance.
• Strong understanding of index methodologies and financial markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the gathering and consolidation of benchmark data requirements.
• Manage the full benchmark lifecycle governance.
• Collaborate with investment teams for portfolio and performance needs.

Skills

Data management expertise

Vendor relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

CFA, FRM, or equivalent professional designation

Tools

Bloomberg

FactSet

Refinitiv

Job description

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Requirements Management

• Lead the gathering and consolidation of benchmark and market data requirements across Eastspring Investments Group.
• Collaborate with investment teams to ensure benchmarks meet portfolio and performance needs.

Benchmark Governance & Oversight

• Maintain the central benchmark master in coordination with Data Operations.
• Manage the full benchmark lifecycle governance, including periodic reviews, approvals, data validation, and oversight.
• Ensure benchmark practices comply with internal policies and external regulations.
• Manage risks and issues pertaining to benchmark data, including its accuracy and completeness.
• Manage SAA weights and changes on behalf of the investment team.
• Ensure processes and controls are well documented and up to date.
• Drive automation, operational efficiencies and process improvement.
• Provide benchmark expertise and insights to internal stakeholders.
• Support testing and validation to ensure benchmark data is accurate, complete, and fit for purpose across systems.

Vendor Management & Licensing

• Manage relationships with index and market data providers and coordinate enterprise licensing agreements.
• Act as subject matter expert (SME) in procurement processes involving benchmark services.
• Continue to review data services and initiatives to achieve cost optimization.
• Support data budgeting processes.

Benchmark Lifecycle Management

• Work closely with business stakeholders to understand their data needs and analytics requirements.
• Serve as the central coordinator for onboarding, oversight, and offboarding of benchmarks across the firm.
• Ensure seamless integration of benchmarks into investment systems and reporting platforms.

Customisation & Design

• Design and implement fair and fit‑for‑purpose benchmarks for internal performance measurement, portfolio management, and risk oversight.
• Incorporate ESG restrictions, weight caps, and other constraints that affect the investable universe.

Composite Benchmark Support

• Manage composite benchmark structures, including weight adjustments and methodology updates.
• Ensure composite benchmarks remain aligned with investment strategies and reporting standards.

Change Delivery & Optimisation

• Lead and support benchmark‑related projects, including system enhancements and process optimisation initiatives.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improving benchmark management efficiency and effectiveness.

People and Team Management

EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• 10 years+ data management experience within the asset management industry.
• Extensive experience in investment management, benchmark governance, or performance analytics.
• Strong understanding of index methodologies, benchmark construction, and financial markets.
• Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and licensing agreements.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills.

ATTRIBUTES

• Strong team player and manager.
• Proficiency with financial data platforms (e.g., Bloomberg, FactSet, Refinitiv) and investment systems.
• Proficiency with index data providers (e.g. MSCI, FTSE, Morningstar, JPM, Markit etc).
• CFA, FRM, or equivalent professional designation a strong plus.
• Experience with ESG integration and customized benchmark design.