Director, EMEA Product Solutions

Role Summary

The Director is responsible for leading the EMEA Product function, driving the development of new products and overseeing the lifecycle management of existing ones for the EMEA business.

This role requires deep expertise in EMEA product structures across both public and private markets, and an understanding of the needs of institutional and wealth channels. A strong commercial mindset is essential, with the ability to assess market trends and translate relevant developments into actionable product strategies.

The Director must also be highly collaborative, working cross-functionally with Go-To-Market (GTM), Operations, and the broader Product team to deliver client-focused solutions, particularly for OCIO and B2B wealth mandates, while exercising sound judgment in distinguishing between trends that are strategically valuable and those that are not.

The responsibilities of the individual in this position include:

Regulatory & Business conduct

·     Displaying exemplary conduct and living by our organisations Code of Conduct.

·     Taking personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct across the business.

·     Effectively and collaboratively identifying, escalating, mitigating and resolving risk, conduct and compliance.

Product Strategy & Market Research

·     Developing the EMEA product strategy, working closely with Russell stakeholders; bringing market intelligence and data-driven insights to inform Russell’s strategy.

·     Leveraging industry relationships and data to determine which product exposures to priorities, how those exposures should be designed and in turn which go-to-market approach to apply.

·     Identifying and driving creation of any supporting tools/technology to enable commercial success.

·     Identifying product development opportunities driven by clients, markets or the Investment Division.

·     Maintaining awareness of competitor and regulatory landscape.

·     Preparing focused research to support and make recommendations on development and evolution of range.

·     Participating in PSC meetings on strategy as appropriate.

Idea Assessment, Product Governance & Prioritisation

·     Assessing client, GTM or Investment Division proposals to inform pricing and recommend appropriate structures.

·     Completing governance (PSC, GPC, Boards) to ensure product launches/mergers, restructures are evaluated correctly and presented with appropriate analysis.

·     Ensuring that product governance requirements are considered at inception and throughout development.

Implementation of product initiatives and special projects.

·     Maintaining and communicating an EMEA product roadmap, sequencing execution based on priority and available resources.

·     Coordinating implementation for complex initiatives working with GTM, Investment Division and teams across Global Shared Services.

·     Identifying structure specific requirements and resolution of issues as they arise throughout product implementation process.

·     Ensuring that capabilities are developed and that ongoing responsibilities are appropriately assigned to relevant teams.

·     Ensuring regulatory product governance requirements are considered throughout.

·     Participating in “special projects” initiated by groups outside of GTM and ID e.g. benchmark changes.

Product Lifecycle management

·     Periodically assessing fund range for rationalisation or changes to funds and share classes.

·     Managing all prospectus changes and internal communications to GTM and other business units or Board reporting.

·     Partnering with members of the Product team and business unit to assess the impact of new business activities, new clients and/or new products (separate accounts, funds, models) on the other groups within the firm.

·     Translating these impacts into economic cost that can be evaluated in the context of a holistic business proposal.  

Process Management

·       Ensuring that processes maintain momentum.

·       Ensuring documentation is updated and communicated appropriately.

·       Suggesting improvements and managing processes.

Assist with or attend other internal Committees

·       Assisting the Director with input to Audit, Risk, Investment or PSC reports or updates to senior management.

Management

·     Providing guidance and mentoring for the team.

·     Working to develop team spirit, actively transferring knowledge to team members.

·     Helping drive consistency across the regions in product processes, team member capabilities and product analytic discipline.

The successful candidate will have extensive demonstrable skills and experiences including the following:

·       Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Designation or Investment Management Certificate is preferred.

·       Relevant BSC/BA (Mathematics / Economics or similar) or equivalent qualification / experience required.

·       Significant experience in the investment-management industry or related experience.

·       EMEA product structure expertise required.

·       Detailed experience in investment product design.

·       Externally commercial with product strategy skillsets.

·       Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate to both senior and mid-level stakeholders.

·       Ability to communicate technical concepts and ideas to a non-technical audience.

·       Excellent client management and relationship building skills.

·       Strong strategic thinking, problem solving, analytical skills and financial acumen.

·       A superior understanding of the institutional and/or retail marketplace

·       Deep awareness of competitor offerings in the alternatives space.

·       Knowledge of OCIO marketplace is a plus.

·       Solid problem-solving skills. 

·       Highly detailed-oriented and organised.

·       Proven track record of exceptional team & cross-functional leadership and ability to effectively work both independently and in a team environment.

·       A personal style that is inclusive, resourceful, proactive and with an ability to navigate a fast-paced environment.

·       Effectively manages client expectations and delivers value-added service.