Senior Director, Research

Are you an experienced investment industry research leader who wants to shape industry thinking on a global scale?

Do you enjoy developing researchers and analysts, elevating the quality and impact of published work, and serving as a trusted voice on the issues shaping investment management?

Are you looking for an opportunity to combine research excellence, people leadership, and thought leadership within a mission-driven organization that influences the future of the investment profession?

If so, CFA Institute may be the place for you.

The Research & Policy Center (RPC) at CFA Institute is seeking a Senior Director, Research to play a pivotal leadership role in strengthening the quality, oversight, and impact of our global research portfolio. This role combines strategic research leadership, team development, editorial oversight, and external engagement to help advance CFA Institute’s mission of promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence across the investment industry.

Reporting to the Senior Head of Research, you will help shape and oversee a diverse portfolio of research initiatives, mentor and develop researchers, contribute original thought leadership, and represent CFA Institute across industry, academic, policy, and media forums. This is a unique opportunity to influence investment practice globally while helping build the next generation of research talent.

What You’ll Do

• 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.

What We’re Looking For

• 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.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and delivery.
• 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.

Why Join Us

• Influence investment practice and industry thinking through globally recognized research and thought leadership.
• Leverage the reach, credibility, and reputation of CFA Institute to create meaningful impact across the investment profession.
• Work alongside respected researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders.
• Play a visible leadership role representing research that reaches investment professionals around the world.
• Help shape the future direction of the Research & Policy Center and strengthen its long-term capabilities.
• Mentor and develop talented researchers while building a more scalable and sustainable research function.
• Join a mission-driven organization committed to improving outcomes for investors and raising standards across the profession.
• Enjoy the opportunity to contribute both as a research leader and as a recognized subject matter expert in your own right.

At CFA Institute, we are committed to transparency and equity in our hiring process. In compliance with wage transparency laws in many of the jurisdictions in which we recruit, we provide the following information regarding compensation for this position:

Expected salary range: $175,000 - $234,000 per year.

All salary ranges are subject to adjustment based on experience, education, and other factors relevant to the position. Additional benefits include eligibility for an annual incentive bonus, a 12% employer contribution to a 401(k) or pension plan, and a comprehensive medical benefits package.

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We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees, including health coverage, generous time off, competitive retirement plans, flexible work options, and wellbeing and development programs. You can learn more on our careers site: Working at CFA Institute | Comprehensive Benefits

About CFA Institute

CFA Institute is the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we promote professional growth, uphold ethical standards, and help advance better financial markets. Join a global organization committed to putting investors first.

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Important Message: Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements as CFA Institute cannot make assumptions about your education, experience, or location. We thank all those who apply.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. CFA Institute prohibits both discrimination and harassment with regard to all identifying characteristics: any individual employee, group of employees, or prospective employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, creed or belief, age, marital or partnership status, marital or family status, care giver status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, physical abilities/qualities, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, predisposing genetic characteristic, military or veteran status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence or sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, infectious disease carrier status, migrant worker status, educational background, socio-economic status, geographic location and culture or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy impacts all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, development, promotion, demotion, layoff, recall, furlough, transfer, leave of absence, and dismissal. This is a global policy that applies to all CFA Institute employees, regardless of location.

If, due to a disability or current medical condition, you need an accommodation or assistance to complete a job application, you can request one at any stage of the recruitment process. Please send an email to [email protected] noting the accommodations or assistance you are requesting. Please do not include any medical or health information in this email. We will review your request and contact you to discuss the possible options and arrangements. We will try our best to provide you with an accommodation or assistance that meets your needs and respects your preferences.