The Group:
Morningstar’s mission is to empower investor success. Morningstar Indexes was created to meet the -evolving needs of investors and to be a strong advocate for them. With our rich history as a transparent, investor-focused leader in data and research, we are uniquely positioned to help individuals, institutions, wealth managers, and advisors navigate investment opportunities across all asset classes, styles, and strategies. Whether assessing risk and return through traditional benchmarks or assisting investors in integrating ESG goals, our diverse range of index solutions addresses the complex questions investors face today, helping them achieve their long-term goals.
Morningstar Indexes is seeking a Director of Institutional Research to produce a broad range of impactful research that supports index product strategy and strengthens Morningstar Indexes’ thought leadership presence. This individual contributor role will focus on forward‑looking market insights, thematic and macro research, investment trends, and the commercial application of new research ideas to support and expand the index business. Working with existing Research teams within Indexes and Morningstar, the ideal candidate will successfully create and/or curate original research that differentiates Morningstar in the marketplace, informs product strategy, influences clients, and strengthens Morningstar’s thought‑leadership footprint globally. This role reports to the Global Head of Product and Research, Indexes, and must be based in our Chicago office, no other locations will be considered.
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 (including product managers, quant researchers, strategists) 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 (Quant Research, Equity Research, Pitchbook, Sustainalytics, Manager Research) to identify compelling IP and content that can be used to 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.
Requirements:
8-10 years experience in investment research, multi‑asset 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 (FactSet, Bloomberg, Morningstar Direct), 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.
Compensation and Benefits
At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:
Financial Health
100% 401k match up to 6% of salary
Stock Ownership Potential
Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission
Physical Health
Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance
Emotional Health
Trust-Based Time Off
6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave
Adoption Assistance
Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses
Tuition Reimbursement
Social Health
Charitable Matching Gifts program
Dollars for Doers volunteer program
Paid volunteering days
15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups
Total Cash Compensation Range
$195,600.00-299,916.66Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive
Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
001_MstarInc Morningstar Inc. Legal EntityWhat the Team is Saying
Morningstar Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off policies include flexible PTO and a paid sabbatical every four years, often highlighted as a standout perk. Feedback suggests this structure supports strong work–life balance and meaningful breaks.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies advertise a global minimum of 16 weeks for primary caregivers, up to 8 weeks for secondary caregivers, and at least six weeks of paid caregiving leave. These offerings signal above-average support for family and caregiving needs.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs feature employer 401(k) contributions/matching, with some postings citing a 75% match on up to 7% of pay. Feedback suggests these offerings are a strong pillar of the package.
Morningstar Insights
What We Do
We are a global investment research and financial data company with 40-plus offices across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Our products and services are used daily by individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, retirement plan providers, and institutional investors. We provide data, research, and analysis across managed investment products, publicly listed companies, private capital markets, debt securities, and real-time global market data. The financial system can have real barriers—hidden information, friction that can slow decisions, and forces that can limit transparency and access. We work to remove them, bringing independent research, connected data, and investor-first tools to a system that needs more clarity. The people doing this work span research, technology, design, product, sales, and functional areas. We build many of our products in-house, so the work can connect directly to the tools investors use to make real financial decisions.
Why Work With Us
Morningstar’s missing is to empower investor success. We can only do that if our people feel empowered. That means finding people who think independently, bring a wide range of backgrounds with analytical rigor and genuine intellectual curiosity to the work.
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Morningstar Teams
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Across most of our offices globally, employees work four days a week in the office and one day from home. We recognize that life doesn't always fit a fixed schedule and offer programs that can help provided increased workplace flexibility.
