Data Content Researcher, Esg Portfolio And Fund Methodology

About The Team
The ESG Portfolio and Fund Methodologies team is a new area of expertise within the ESG Methodology & Product Architecture Team at Morningstar Sustainalytics, having been previously based under Morningstar’s Managed Investment Data. The team is dedicated to developing and enhancing ESG methodologies for managed investment (fund) universes and custom client portfolios for both Sustainalytics and Morningstar products. They work across various peer groups within the broader ESG Methodology & Product Architecture Team to determine how methodologies should be reflected at the portfolio level, such as the Morningstar Sustainability (“Globe”) Ratings, while also developing fund-specific methodologies, such as Sustainable Attributes. Team members cover a wide range of content, such as Climate, Impact, and ESG Risk, while also identifying opportunities for cohesiveness across different methodologies.
About The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to own methodology development and enhancement for ESG Portfolio and Fund data. You will be working across Sustainalytics and Morningstar methodology, commercial, and technical stakeholders to develop and present methodology concepts, translate these into detailed specifications for technical and data operations teams, as well as publish methodology documentation for our clients. The role is preferred to be based in Chicago, Toronto, or Amsterdam, but applicants in Frankfurt will also be considered. A long-term remote work arrangement will not be considered for this role.
Key Responsibilities

• Presenting on methodology concepts to methodology managers and other stakeholders.
• Lead and collaborate new methodology development for portfolios and managed investments (funds) by leveraging a subject matter background of managed investment and portfolio data to translate issuer level methodology into the fund/portfolio level, as well as identifying and developing fund specific methodologies.
• Supporting product managers as well as client support teams for escalations of methodology related questions, including interfacing with clients as a subject matter expert.
• Translating a methodology concept into detailed methodology specification documents in Excel and/or Python for technical teams to understand and implement. This includes the scope and definition of data sets, methodology logic/requirements, data modelling, and examples of calculation logic or data collection processes.
• Testing of internal and external validity of methodology including change/impact analyses.
• Authorship of external facing methodology papers.

Qualifications

• A strong quantitative skillset, with a background in quantitative analysis, programming, statistics, econometrics, modelling, and/or big data processing considered an asset. Applicants should have a strong knowledge of MS Excel, and basic to intermediate knowledge of working with large data sets using Python, SQL/ AWS, or other basic programming skills as well as a willingness to grow that skill.
• Minimum of three years of experience in financial services or investing.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with excellent academic credentials.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize data to draw insights and propose solutions.
• Minimum of three years of research and/or product development experience.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate across global stakeholders.

Nice to Have

• Subject matter knowledge or experience with Morningstar managed investment/fund data operations and methodology is considered a strong asset.
• Experience utilizing LEAN, Six Sigma, or Agile methodologies in a project management or data operations setting is considered an asset.
• Experience with ESG data is considered an asset, but not required. We believe the right candidate will be able to learn the subject matter and apply their experience to ESG concepts.

About Us
Sustainalytics is a Morningstar company dedicated to responsible investment with over 25 years' experience in ESG research and ratings. With an extensive client base across asset managers, asset owners and investment banks, our mission is to provide the insights required for investors and companies to make more informed decisions that lead to a more just and sustainable global economy.
As Morningstar’s ESG center of excellence we are responsible for driving both the commercial success and innovation of its ESG products as well as its overall ESG strategy.
For more information, visit www.sustainalytics.com
Morningstar’s hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to work remotely and collaborate in-person each week. While some positions are available as fully remote, we’ve found that we’re at our best when we’re purposely together on a regular basis, typically three days 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.