Senior Manager - Research

This senior role will set up and lead a new, multi‑segment in-house research function covering the broader shipping and transportation markets (rail, aviation, municipal transport, EV charging and other forms of land based transport).  Within shipping, in addition to macro and geopolitical drivers, the role will assess and provide consistent research on shipping sectors such as tankers, dry bulk, LNG/LPG, containers(hips), chemical, PCTCs, heavy lift, wind farm maintenance, and other specialised sectors. 
 
The role will develop and deliver regular and consistent monitoring and assessment of the impact on transportation modalities of commodity market signals (crude/products, electrification, competitors, energy pricing, LNG/LPG, iron ore, coal, nuclear developments, grains, fertilisers, other agricultural products, technological developments, renewable energy, chemicals etc) transforming this information into daily / weekly / and monthly actionable strategic and freight insights to inform commercial strategy, pricing, risk, and investment decisions. 
 
The role will build the operating model, data resources, templates from the ground up as well as provide the integration and internal reporting of information from third party brokers, banks, consultants, and other relevant data sources.

Implementation
 

• In conjunction with group leadership design and implement the research operating model, templates, reporting frameworks, and research standards, and QA; 
• create publication templates and a common taxonomy for macro and geopolitical developments, vessel segments, aviation, rail, municipal transport, EV charging, and other forms of land based transport, shipping routes, rates, orderbooks, obsolescence, development of alternative technology, assessment of alternative fuels, battery technology for shipping and other transport sectors, scrapping and commodity movements.
• Establish publication cadence (dailies, weeklies, monthlies, quarterlies) with reusable templates and formats.
• Meet with senior leadership on a consistent and regular basis to present findings, provide insight, recommend areas for consideration, and contribute to the strategic decision making process of the group.

 
Data & tooling
 

• Evaluate and manage data vendors and sources of market intelligence across all transport modalities mentioned above.
• Build a secure data repository and BI/ reporting layer; create reusable code libraries (Python/R, SQL), dashboards, and automated reports.
• Implement data governance, documentation, version control, lineage, and validation checks.

 
Integrated commodity‑freight-positioning analytics
 

• Develop models linking commodity balances and benchmarks to freight rates, vessel location, ton‑miles, utilisation, and asset values.
• Deliver scenario‑based forecasts, produce stress tests and sensitivity analyses.

 
Macro events
 

• Track macro geopolitical and regulatory events and produce opinion pieces for transportation.

Required Technical/Professional Skills and Experience:

• Significant experience in transportation/maritime/commodities research with senior roles at a research organization, top‑tier shipbroker, trading house, or financial institution.
• Proven “build” experience: establishing research strategies, data stacks, templates, and publication processes.
• Deep commodity expertise (crude/products, LNG/LPG, iron ore, coal, grains, fertilisers, chemicals).
• Strong knowledge of freight indices (e.g., Baltic), FFAs/derivatives, chartering, voyage economics, orderbook cycles etc.
• Demonstrated historical involvement in rail, aviation, municipal transport, EV charging and other forms of land based transport (eg trucking)
• Quantitative skills: Python/R, SQL; proficiency with BI or data visualisation platforms.
• Executive‑level communication and stakeholder influence; high ethical standards and data governance.

 
 
Person Specification:
 

• Highly driven and eager to develop professional skills.
• Takes responsibility and effectively prioritises workload to deliver on commitments.
• Proactive, reliable, with demonstrated ability to work under pressure and willingness to adapt to changing priorities. 
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and pride in the quality of their work.
• Anticipates problems; is prepared with solutions.
• Excellent communication skills in English, including written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Effective at building collaborative, constructive relationships to make informed decisions that meet client/customer/stakeholder needs. 
• Team player.  
• Demonstrates openness to feedback and willingness to learn.