The Vice President – Data & Research & Development (R&D) Business Finance will play a critical role in financial planning, business partnering, cost efficiency, and finance transformation across MSCI’s Data and Research & Development (R&D) functions. The position will report into Technology & Data and Research & Development Finance Director.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Partnering & Strategic Decision Support

• Function as a Finance Business Partner to senior leaders in Data and R&D Functions, aligning financial strategy with business objectives.
• Develop expense/investment frameworks for resource allocation, ROI tracking, and investment payback analysis to drive high-impact growth.
• Implement a cost efficiency framework ensuring spending optimization, balancing business growth and operational/financial risks.
• Support manage AI Financial Scorecard and/or any other criticial initiaves that may emerge from time to time. 

Financial Planning, Reporting & Performance Management

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning in line with MSCI’s planning framework.
• Establish Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) methodologies to improve financial discipline and spending efficiency and develop predictive analytics, and scenario planning to enhance decision-making.
• Deliver executive-level reports, presentations, and dashboards providing real-time financial insights. Implement financial and non-financial KPIs to enhance cost transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
• Support Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), Financial Reviews (QFRs), Operating Reviews, and PI Planning.

Finance Transformation & Process Optimization

• Drive finance automation and process efficiencies through digital tools and AI-powered analytics.
• Leveraging BI solutions and advanced data visualization techniques to drive automation of reporting by integrate multiple data sources (such as SAP, EDWH, SharePoint, Board International, Excel spreadsheets, etc.), Power Automate and Agentic AI.

Team Leadership & People Management

• Build and lead a high-performing finance team (2-4 members), fostering innovation, collaboration, and financial excellence.
• Mentor and develop finance professionals, ensuring continuous learning in Business Finance and Strategic Business Support.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and empower teams to make data-driven financial decisions.

• 10+ years of experience in Finance, FP&A, or Business Finance
• Professional qualifications such as CA or MBA in Finance are strongly preferred. Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Accounting is required.
• Deep understanding of technology/Research & Development Finance, Cloud computing cost models, and SaaS financial planning, experience in capitalized software accounting (CapEx vs. OpEx), will be an added benefit.
• Proficiency in financial modelling, forecasting, and data-driven decision-making tools (Excel, Power BI, Board International, SAP), including strong presentation skills (creation as well as delivery).
• Strong expertise in finance transformation, digital finance, automation, and process optimization.
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership skills, with the ability to influence senior executives and drive financial accountability.

What we offer you

• Transparent compensation schemes and comprehensive employee benefits, tailored to your location, ensuring your financial security, health, and overall wellbeing.

• Flexible working arrangements, advanced technology, and collaborative workspaces.

• A culture of high performance and innovation where we experiment with new ideas and take responsibility for achieving results.

• A global network of talented colleagues, who inspire, support, and share their expertise to innovate and deliver for our clients.

• Global Orientation program to kickstart your journey, followed by access to our Learning@MSCI platform, LinkedIn Learning Pro and tailored learning opportunities for ongoing skills development.

• Multi-directional career paths that offer professional growth and development through new challenges, internal mobility and expanded roles.

• We actively nurture an environment that builds a sense of inclusion belonging and connection, including eight Employee Resource Groups. All Abilities, Asian Support Network, Black Leadership Network, Climate Action Network, Hola! MSCI, Pride & Allies, Women in Tech, and Women’s Leadership Forum.

At MSCI we are passionate about what we do, and we are inspired by our purpose – to power better investment decisions. You’ll be part of an industry-leading network of creative, curious, and entrepreneurial pioneers. This is a space where you can challenge yourself, set new standards and perform beyond expectations for yourself, our clients, and our industry.

MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data, and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process.

MSCI Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the firm to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership/union status, pregnancy (including unlawful discrimination on the basis of a legally protected parental leave), veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. MSCI is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please email Disability.Assistance@msci.com and indicate the specifics of the assistance needed. Please note, this e-mail is intended only for individuals who are requesting a reasonable workplace accommodation; it is not intended for other inquiries.

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