About the Role:

Grade Level (for internal use):

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 plays a critical role in protecting market trust and enabling scale ensuring that strong governance risk management and internal controls are embedded into day-to-day operationswhile also driving targeted automation and disciplined delivery of strategic and regulatory initiatives. Operating with an enterprise mindset the function is responsible for S&P DJIs first line of defense partnering closely with Product Operations Technology Risk Compliance and Audit to balance innovation and speed within the bounds of S&P DJI 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 DJIs first line of defense e.g. S&P DJIs engagements for 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 S&P DJIs index production process.
• Advance our 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.

What Were Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors 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 abreast 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.

Compensation/Benefits Information: (This section is only applicable to US candidates) S&P Global states that the anticipated base salary range for this position is $235000 to $250000. Final base salary for this role will be based on the individuals geographic location as well as experience level skill set training licenses and addition to base compensation this role is eligible for an annual incentive role is eligible to receive additional S&P Global benefits. For more information on the benefits we provide to our employees please click here.