Director, Institutional Research & Market Insights

Morningstar, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 196,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match up to 6%

Stock ownership potential

Health benefits and wellness programs

Sabbatical program

Parental leave

Job summary

Morningstar Inc. in Chicago seeks a Director of Institutional Research to lead forward-looking market insights, thematic and macro research, and the commercial application of new ideas to support and grow the index business.

This role is based in our Chicago office, with the expectation to contribute as an individual contributor and collaborate across product, sales and executive leadership. This position requires 8–10 years in investment research, strong writing and communication skills, and

Qualifications

• 8-10 years experience in investment research, multiasset analysis, or index research.
• Proven ability to write clear, accessible, and commercially relevant research.
• Experience influencing research direction or guiding project teams in a matrix environment.
• Strategic thinker who can translate insights into actionable commercial outcomes.
• Strong capital markets knowledge and proficiency with financial data tools, Excel, and/or Python.
• Excellent communication skills and comfort presenting to stakeholders.
• Comfortable being a public voice of the business.
• CFA or progress toward the designation; relevant graduate degree.
• Some travel will be required.

Responsibilities

• Set research agenda for the Morningstar Index business with input from product, sales and executive leadership.
• Create compelling insights, commentary, and thought leadership content for internal and external audiences in support of strategic priorities.
• Work with various content creators within Indexes to produce high-impact white papers, market commentaries, and deep-dive research that drives brand differentiation and client engagement.
• Set research standards and mentor research associates.
• Lead collaboration with Morningstar's broader research ecosystem to identify IP and content that can advance Indexes business objectives.
• Support the creation of new IP that could be used to drive product development or enhance index methodology.
• Present research at industry conferences, client meetings, media interviews, and webinars.
• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Product, Research, and Sales to amplify insights and ensure research aligns with business priorities.
• Ensure research output meets Morningstar standards of analytical rigor, transparency, and neutrality.

Skills

Investment research

Multi-asset analysis

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Public speaking

Python

Excel

Data interpretation

Education

CFA or progress toward designation

Graduate degree

Tools

FactSet

Bloomberg

Morningstar Direct

Job description

Morningstar Inc. in Chicago seeks a Director of Institutional Research to lead forward-looking market insights, thematic and macro research, and the commercial application of new ideas to support and grow the index business.

This role is based in our Chicago office, with the expectation to contribute as an individual contributor and collaborate across product, sales and executive leadership. This position requires 8–10 years in investment research, strong writing and communication skills, and