Director, Index & Market Development

Role Overview: 

The Director, Index & Market Development is a senior, externally facing leadership role focused on strengthening and expanding our data provider network, enhancing index design, and driving innovation across data and platform products. 

This role sits between the VP Financial Products & Services (who holds overall index strategy and product responsibility) and the Index Analyst team (who manage day-to-day production). The Director will focus on market engagement, methodology development, product innovation, and external stakeholder leadership. 

The role requires extensive container shipping industry experience, a demonstrable market network, and the ability to operate credibly with senior industry and financial market participants. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Data Provider Strategy & Network Leadership (Full Ownership) 

Lead recruitment and retention of high-quality data providers across the container shipping market. 

Leverage an established industry network to expand participation and strengthen data representativeness. 

Manage senior relationships with data contributors, ensuring long-term engagement and trust. 

Organize and lead provider group meetings and industry forums. 

Oversee data contributor governance frameworks in collaboration with internal stakeholders. 

Index Design & Methodology Development (Full Ownership) 

Lead the design of new indices and benchmark enhancements aligned with market needs. 

Drive methodological improvements based on industry developments, liquidity shifts, and regulatory considerations. 

Ensure index designs are commercially relevant, technically robust, and operationally feasible. 

Work closely with the Index Analyst team to ensure seamless implementation into production. 

Platform & Data Product Innovation (Full Ownership) 

Identify opportunities for new data products and platform enhancements. 

Lead the conceptual design of new offerings in collaboration with technology and operations teams. 

Ensure product innovation is aligned with customer demand and strategic objectives. 

Support go-to-market positioning through market engagement and stakeholder input. 

External Market Engagement 

Represent the company with senior external stakeholders across shipping lines, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, traders, and financial market participants. 

Act as a senior industry voice in discussions around benchmark methodology and market structure. 

Support commercial discussions where index expertise is required. 

Build credibility and visibility in the container shipping and freight pricing ecosystem. 

Financial Market Development (Support Role) 

Support the VP Financial Products & Services in developing the financial ecosystem around the index. 

Contribute industry expertise to conversations with exchanges, clearing houses, and financial institutions. 

Provide market insight and credibility in financial product expansion discussions. 

Assist in aligning physical market developments with financial product evolution. 

Board & Executive Engagement 

Prepare materials and occasionally present to the company Board on: 

Data provider network health and expansion 

Index development initiatives 

Market structure trends 

Strategic product opportunities 

Contribute to strategic planning discussions at senior leadership level. 

Required Qualifications 

10+ years’ experience in the container shipping industry. 

Extensive background in trade, pricing, commercial, or market-facing roles. 

Demonstrable, active network across container shipping market participants. 

Proven experience engaging senior external stakeholders. 

Strong understanding of freight pricing mechanisms and market structure. 

Experience designing or contributing to pricing benchmarks or data products. 

Strong leadership presence and executive-level communication skills. 

Ability to operate strategically while remaining practically grounded in implementation realities. 

Preferred Qualifications 

Experience working with or alongside financial market participants. 

Familiarity with benchmark regulatory principles (e.g., IOSCO). 

Experience leading industry working groups or committees. 

Exposure to exchange-traded or cleared financial products. 

Experience in data platform or analytics product development. 

What Success Looks Like 

Within 6 months: 

Strengthened relationships with key data providers. 

Clear roadmap for index enhancements and new product opportunities. 

Active engagement with senior industry stakeholders. 

Within 12 months: 

Measurable expansion or strengthening of the data contributor network. 

Launch or significant development of new index or data products. 

Recognized industry authority representing the company externally. 

Meaningful contribution to financial market development initiatives.