Head of Independent Advisor Software
The Group: The Products group is the home of innovation at Morningstar. The individuals in this group transform our high-quality data, independent research, and technological expertise into well-designed products that delight our clients. The group’s product management, product development, and service teams collaborate with our Sales and Solutions group to help provide clients with relevant products and bundled solutions.
The Role: Morningstar is looking for a senior product executive to lead our independent advisor software efforts in the United States initially and then globally over time. The Head of Independent Advisor Software leads the commercial activities for our advisor platform product suite. This role will define, lead and execute the overall business strategy, product development and go-to-market efforts for our advisor software products including Morningstar Office, the Morningstar Model Marketplace and our advisor trading capabilities along with our financial data aggregation business, ByAllAccounts. The Head of Independent Advisor Software will work closely with our clients and the independent advisor community to incorporate the voice of the advisor into our product offerings and will partner with sales and client service teams to create a world-class experience for our advisor clients.
The ideal candidate will have experience working with independent advisors and the tools they use to manage their practice. Familiarity with portfolio accounting, data aggregation, portfolio rebalancing, and investment planning are a strong plus. The candidate should also have a strong grasp of the current advisor industry landscape and the ability to forge meaningful partnerships with third parties. This role is based in our Chicago office with 25% travel expected.
Responsibilities:
- Own the product vision and commercial success of Morningstar’s advisor software business. Help independent advisors scale their practice, increase their focus on financial planning and coaching, and outsource investment management to high-quality and/or low-cost third parties.
- Define and communicate the vision for your products to our customers and the broader market.
- Create commercial roadmaps for each of our institutional software products (Office, ByAllAccounts, Total Rebalance Expert (TRX) rebalancer, and the Morningstar Model Marketplace).
- Manage a multi-disciplinary product team.
- Align product vision with the business’s mission, strategy and long-term commercial goals.
- Work closely with our product development group to build world class SaaS software to create a sense of awe for our users.
- Work closely with sales, service and marketing leadership to ensure that your products are sold at the right price, to the right user and serviced in a way which makes sense for the customer using the product(s).
- Provide high-level executive support on specific client engagements and new business opportunities.
- Support the annual budgeting and reforecasting process across all products and regions.
- Track the competitive landscape, macroeconomic trends, and potential M&A opportunities.
- Lead opportunity evaluation, business cases development and financial modeling for organic and inorganic growth opportunities.
Requirements:
- 10+ years’ experience with at least 7+ years’ experience in product management and\or product marketing for a global software or analytics company.
- MBA with a focus on Strategy and\or International Business.
- Prior responsibility for a portfolio of products serving multiple segments and regions, preferably in the Wealth Management market.
- Experience building software for the US RIA market preferred.
- Excellent oral and written communication, planning, and analytical skills.
- Self-motivated to work with international multicultural teams.
- Knowledge and experience with Agile development, and good technical acumen are required.
- Ability to structure, manage, and coordinate multiple complex cross-functional projects and processes with multiple stakeholders at both senior and junior levels.
- Willingness to collaborate with global teams during off-hours.
- Global awareness and international collaboration, open mindedness, empathy towards other cultures, creativity, social skills and adaptability.