Index Operations Product Owner

MerQube is an innovative fintech firm, leading the development of cutting edge technology for indexing and rules-based investing. MerQube offers design and calculation solutions for complex rules-based strategies. Launched in 2019 in New York and San Francisco by a team of index industry veterans and technology experts, MerQube was created to provide a technology focused alternative.
MerQube designs and calculates a wide variety of indices, ranging from thematic to ESG,  QIS and delta one , while covering multi-asset, equities, futures as well as options. Leveraging cloud-based architecture and today's most advanced index-tracking technology, MerQube's platform enables its clients to bring ideas to market quickly and efficiently.

Position Summary

As a young and quickly growing company that combines financial understanding and engineering, MerQube’s environment is fast-paced, collegial, flexible and offers meaningful work.

We are hiring an Index Operations Product Owner to drive operational efficiencies, improve service quality, and ensure readiness for new product releases within our index management processes.

As MerQube continues to expand its product offerings, it's essential to have a dedicated leader focused on refining the operational model, and implementing automation to enhance overall efficiency. This role will help us proactively address operational gaps, enhance service delivery, and maintain high standards across our index operations, enabling us to scale effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the roadmap for index management, focusing on identifying and implementing operational efficiencies to enhance overall performance.
• Lead initiatives to improve the quality of index operations, ensuring consistency in processes and adherence to best practices.
• Ensure that the operations team is fully prepared to manage new products or features, collaborating with other teams to create operational readiness by defining the operating model, conducting thorough testing and readiness checks, identifying critical gaps, and remediating them before release.
• Automate quality checks for new index launches and live indices wherever possible, and develop prototypes to streamline the transition from manual processes to full-scale production automation.
• Implement automated checks, where possible, to facilitate compliance with all relevant internal policies and ensure the team is well-versed in standard operating procedures.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities for automation and process improvements, focusing on streamlining index management and validation workflows.
• Monitor and analyze operational performance metrics to continually improve service delivery and ensure high operational standards.
• Assist in managing processes for handling incoming financial data, including analysis and validation.
• Identify and investigate potential errors in incoming data, liaising with data vendors as needed.
• Aid in the launch and maintenance of new client and MerQube branded indices.
• Assist in reviewing index methodologies, benchmarks, and compliance statements.
• Support operations across asset classes such as equity, fixed income, derivatives, and commodities.
• Provide client support regarding index data and calculations.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing index benchmarks, with the ability to identify areas for automation and operational improvement.
• Proven ability to lead and manage initiatives aimed at enhancing operational processes, including collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution.
• Ability to break down complex processes, create detailed process flows, identify risks along with the necessary controls to mitigate those risks, and the ability to contribute to writing requirements for engineering.
• Proficiency in SQL and Python, with the ability to leverage these tools to automate operational tasks and enhance data management processes.
• Strong collaboration skills, working closely with engineering and product management teams to create operational readiness and improve our processes.
• Operational mindset, ensuring high service quality and readiness to scale new products or features efficiently.
• Awareness of Benchmark Regulations and IOSCO principles, with a focus on ensuring compliance through automated checks and robust operational processes.
• Strong understanding of financial market data and index management, with a focus on optimizing workflows and improving operational efficiency.
• Knowledge of financial benchmarks, ETFs, index methodologies, and rebalances, with the ability to grasp concepts ranging from basic to more complex.
• Exposure to customer support roles, including internal customer support, and a willingness to further develop these skills.