Job Description

ISS STOXX is a global leader in corporate governance research, data, and analytics, supporting institutional investors in managing stewardship and voting responsibilities.

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director to lead our Korea Governance Research team, based in Tokyo. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality proxy research on Korean listed companies while strengthening team capability, improving process consistency, and aligning local workflows with regional standards. The role is a critical bridge between local market expertise and regional scalability, ensuring the Korea team operates effectively within a high-volume, high-complexity environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research Delivery & Quality

• Oversee the timely and accurate delivery of proxy research and voting recommendations on Korean listed companies

• Ensure consistent application of ISS policy across complex and high-profile meetings

• Act as escalation point for judgment-heavy or ambiguous governance issues

• Maintain oversight of data quality, coding accuracy, and research integrity

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of analysts and senior analysts

• Provide structured, evidence-based feedback and support progression of team members

• Foster a culture of accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement

• Build capability in analytical judgment, communication, and policy application

Operational Leadership

• Manage workflow allocation, queue visibility, and delivery timelines in a high-volume environment

• Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements to enhance throughput and consistency

• Establish clear escalation pathways and decision frameworks for the team

• Ensure high-quality, globally consistent research outputs for institutional clients

Regional Alignment & System Integration

• Review and assess local Korea-specific tools, processes, and workflows

• Identify opportunities to align with regional systems and improve scalability

• Integrate effective local practices into broader ISS frameworks where appropriate

• Reduce reliance on individual knowledge by building structured, repeatable processes

• Ensure greater transparency and consistency across regional research operations

Market & Client Engagement

• Maintain strong knowledge of Korean corporate governance practices, regulation, and disclosure standards

• Translate local market complexity into clear, consistent outputs for global clients

• Support client engagement and responses to research-related queries where required

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8–12+ years of experience in corporate governance, financial services, consulting, or related fields

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and workflows

• Strong understanding of corporate governance and capital markets, preferably in Korea

• Proven ability to manage complexity and operate effectively in high-pressure, high-volume environments

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex issues clearly

• Experience working across teams or regions in a global organisation is highly desirable

• Fluency in English required; Korean language skills strongly preferred

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What You Can Expect from Us

Our people are the moving force behind our work. We are committed to building a culture that values diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences. If you have the skills, passion, and drive to help us bring clarity and transparency to capital markets, we want to work with you.

Together, we can grow your career in an environment that fuels creativity, drives innovation, and has real impact.

About ISS STOXX

ISS STOXX delivers world-class research, data, and technology solutions that empower capital market participants to pursue their visions with confidence. Our expertise spans indices, corporate governance, sustainability, cyber risk, and fund intelligence, giving clients the tools they need to uncover opportunities, manage risks, and navigate evolving regulations. We are made up of 4,000 professionals operating across 20 countries and serving approximately 5,000 clients, including many of the world’s leading institutional investors. Our scale and reach give us deep market knowledge, while our innovative methodologies allow us to offer our clients tailored insights that drive impact and success.

ISS STOXX Governance delivers comprehensive corporate governance research, analytics, and investor voting solutions supported by a global, high‑quality data set spanning diverse markets and topics. Our offerings equip investors with the depth and scale needed to meet evolving stewardship priorities. We provide flexible voting policy options, including fully customizable reports, backed by experienced research teams located worldwide, ensuring clients benefit from both global insight and local market expertise.

Visit our website: https://www.iss-stoxx.com/

View additional open roles: https://www.iss-stoxx.com/about/careers/

ISS STOXX is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, sex, age, height, weight, citizenship status, national origin, social origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy status, marital status, familial status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, military service or status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as “protected status”). All activities including, but not limited to, recruiting and hiring, recruitment advertising, promotions, performance appraisals, training, job assignments, compensation, demotions, transfers, terminations (including layoffs), benefits, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, are and will be administered on a non-discriminatory basis, consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.