Senior Research Director, Worldwide Small and Medium Business Research

About the Role & Team

IDC is seeking a Senior Research Director to lead its coverage of one of technology's most important and complex markets: small and mid-sized businesses. This is a high-visibility global role for a research leader ready to shape how the industry understands SMB technology adoption and to build a personal brand as the go-to authority on it. The role combines primary research and competitive analysis with direct client engagement and business development, translating research into advice for technology vendors navigating the SMB market. The Senior Research Director will also own IDC's SMB thought leadership platform, representing IDC at industry events, on LinkedIn, with business and technology media, and in direct conversations with vendors shaping the space. The ideal candidate brings a sharp analytical point of view on where SMB technology is headed and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking about how smaller businesses buy and use technology.

What You’ll Do

• Develop diverse research deliverables supporting the SMB program, including survey insights, buyer segment analysis, competitive analysis, and present key findings to clients through briefings and readout sessions.
• Serve as a thought leader on the SMB market (small businesses: <100 employees; midsized businesses: 100–999 employees), maintaining frequent engagement with clients, prospects, and vendors.
• Support syndicated research and custom projects simultaneously, working independently across publishing, consulting, forecasting, market modeling, and thought leadership activities.
• Drive business development by nurturing current and prospective client relationships to grow syndicated subscriptions and custom consulting business.
• Manage the SMB program budget, meeting monthly, quarterly, and annual bookings and revenue targets.
• In collaboration with the survey research team, apply sound data collection and analysis practices, using appropriate primary and secondary sources to ensure accurate interpretation and results-oriented         recommendations.
• Bring strong analytical skills and attention to detail to data generation, refinement, and review, using creativity and flexibility to filter and integrate qualitative and quantitative data into new client insights.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree required, MBA a plus.
• 10+ years of previous market research experience with an analyst firm or technology firm.
• Diverse background across multiple technology areas (e.g., AI, enterprise apps, infrastructure, telecom).
• Excellent verbal, presentation and written communications skills are essential. The position requires successful candidate to provide quantitative analysis and insight on the changing SMB market to clients in a clear and compelling way.
• Strong commitment to client support/success and enthusiasm for program mission.
• Interest in strengthening existing client relationships and driving new business opportunities. Willingness to partner with IDC sales, often taking the lead in identifying new opportunities and crafting effective proposals to grow revenue. Strong ties to current IDC clients/prospects a plus.
• Experience/understanding go-to-market channels used by technology suppliers to reach SMB customers.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the ability to learn to use various IDC resources for document preparation, publishing, client inquiry tracking, and program financial performance.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.
• Remote or hybrid if located near IDC’s Boston headquarters.

Why This Role Stands Out
At IDC, your work helps shape how the world understands technology and where it goes next. You collaborate with curious, high-caliber colleagues who value rigor, integrity, and shared success. As the premier global provider of trusted technology intelligence, IDC equips business and technology leaders with the evidence they need to make confident decisions. Our insights inform strategy, investment, and innovation across industries and regions.

Recognized by IIAR as Analyst Firm of the Year for five consecutive years, IDC sets the standard for credibility and impact. With more than 1,000 analysts worldwide and a truly global perspective, we combine deep expertise with practical relevance. Here, your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your contributions provide the insights leaders rely on every day. It is meaningful work, backed by a culture that supports growth, collaboration, and long-term career development with a globally respected brand.

What We Offer

• 15 vacation days (prorated based on start date)
• 12 company-paid holidays
• 6 paid sick days (prorated based on start date; may vary by state)
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 2 floating holidays (prorated based on start date)
• 1 volunteer day
• 401(k) company match (IDC matches 3% on the first 6% of employee contributions)
• Company-paid short-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
  
• Company-paid parental leave
  

Compensation Transparency

At IDC, we are committed to fair and equitable pay practices. Employees are compensated equitably for their work, aligned with their skills and experience. Salary and incentive structures are determined through a rigorous process that considers experience, education, certifications, role-specific requirements, internal equity, and verified U.S. market data from an independent third-party partner.

The expected total annual compensation, depending on location and experience, is between $130,000 to $180,000, inclusive of base salary and variable compensation.

If this role relocates to a different country, the salary range will be updated to reflect that country's range, rather than a currency conversion of the original range.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IDC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. Employment eligibility verification required. We participate in E-Verify.

IDC is currently able to employ remote workers in the following states: Arizona (AZ), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Washington D.C. (DC), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Kansas (KS), Massachusetts (MA), Maryland (MD), Maine (ME), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Missouri (MO), Mississippi (MS), North Carolina (NC), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), Ohio (OH), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Virginia (VA), Vermont (VT), Washington (WA), and Wisconsin (WI).