Grade Level (for internal use): 14
The Team
The Head of Business Operations & Controls reports directly to the Chief Product & Operations Officer and is a senior leadership role accountable for first line risk and operational governance framework across the Product & Operations organization.
The team protects market trust and enables scale by embedding governance, risk management, and internal controls into day-to-day operations, while driving targeted automation and disciplined delivery of strategic and regulatory initiatives. Operating with an enterprise mindset, the function is responsible for S&P DJI's first line of defense, partnering closely with Product, Operations, Technology, Risk, Compliance, and Audit to balance innovation and speed within the robust control framework.
Responsibilities and Impact
Operational Risk, Governance & Controls (First Line of Defense)
Own and continuously evolve the first line operational risk and control framework across Product & Operations, ensuring alignment with enterprise risk management standards.
Accountable for the design, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of key controls, including process controls, preventative and detective controls.
Act as the primary first line partner to Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Internal Audit, supporting audits, regulatory reviews, and issue management (MAPs).
Responsible for engagement with external auditors involved in assessing S&P DJI's first line of defense, e.g. IOSCO assurance reviews, and timely action plans to address observations and findings.
Ensure governance frameworks enable scalability and innovation while safeguarding regulatory compliance and the integrity of index production processes.
Advance a technology-forward approach to risk, governance and controls, including autonomous monitoring and surveillance, software-based, repeatable solutions and process automation. Upskill first line team members' application of technology to their work.
Business Operations & Execution Excellence
Lead cross-functional initiatives to streamline operational processes, reduce friction, and improve end-to-end execution across Product & Operations.
Establish and track operational KPIs and risk indicators (KRIs) to enable data-driven decision-making and proactive risk management.
Drive consistency in operational standards, documentation, and ways of working across global teams.
Own business continuity, risk tabletop and all protocols to prepare and pressure test the business' response to catastrophic events.
Automation & Project Delivery Enablement
Lead a team tasked with identifying and prioritizing automation opportunities that enhance control effectiveness, promote efficiency, reduce risk, and deliver customer outcomes.
Oversee structured delivery of operational initiatives using agile project and change management disciplines, ensuring timely execution, transparent documentation and measurable outcomes.
Partner with Technology to ensure automation solutions are fit-for-purpose, production-ready, and sustainable.
Leadership & Influence
Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing clear insight on operational risk, control health, execution trade-offs and automation/AI potential.
Build and lead high-performing teams with strong accountability, continuous improvement mindsets, and enterprise perspective.
Grow an organization rooted in business partnership, accountability, transparency, and outcome orientation.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, Finance, or a related discipline.
8-10+ years of experience in business operations, operational risk, controls, governance, or transformation roles within regulated or complex environments.
Data information services and technology industry experience, particularly operating under regulatory oversight.
Demonstrated expertise operating as or alongside a First Line of Defense function, with hands-on ownership of controls, issue management, and audit engagement.
Proven track record of leading cross-functional initiatives that balance risk, cost, upside, efficiency, and speed.
Strong analytical capability with experience defining and applying KPIs, KRIs, and control metrics to inform decisions and keep stakeholders apprised of progress.
Executive-level communication and influencing skills, with the ability to challenge and partner effectively with senior stakeholders.
Practical experience with process improvement and automation approaches (e.g., Lean, Agile, continuous improvement, workflow automation).
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in Business, Operations, Risk Management, or a related field.
Professional certifications such as Lean Six Sigma, PMP, Agile, or risk-related credentials (e.g., ORM, CRISC) are advantageous.
Experience partnering with Product and Technology teams to embed controls into automated and digital workflows.
Demonstrated success scaling governance and controls in periods of organizational growth or transformation.
Return to Work
Have you taken time out for caring responsibilities and are now looking to return to work? As part of our Return-to-Work initiative, we are encouraging enthusiastic and talented returners to apply and will actively support your return to the workplace.
About S&P Global and Equal Opportunity
S&P Global Dow Jones Indices provides iconic and innovative index solutions backed by expertise across the asset-class spectrum. We empower investors with transparency to make informed decisions. S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). S&P Global is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity, and automotive markets. For more information, visit
Equal Opportunity Employer
S&P Global is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military veteran status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by law. Only electronic submissions will be considered for employment.
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