IDC is seeking a Research Director to join our established worldwide artificial intelligence, automation, data and analytics (AAD&A) research practice to focus on database management tools and technologies. The candidate will have to demonstrate an ability to understand both the existing and future capabilities across all types of relational, non-relational, and dynamic database systems that are capable of running operational or analytic data workloads. The candidate will also cover adjacent technologies used for data modeling, database development, tuning and maintenance. Research will include understanding market drivers and trends, buying behaviors, and the business value impact of these technologies.  The candidate will employ IDC research methodologies to size markets and forecast market growth.

Why IDC?

IDG is a dynamic and innovative data, research, and services company at the forefront of guiding the global technology market ecosystem. Our mission is to help companies grow by putting technology insights into action, and empowering businesses to make better decisions and thrive in the digital-first age.   

IDC, the largest division of IDG, is the most respected global technology market research firm. We are changing the way the world thinks about the impact of technology on business and society. Our people, data, and analytics create global technology insights that accelerate customer success. IDC has been recognized for four consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) by the IIAR as the Analyst Firm of the Year which is one of the highest accolades for the technology market research industry.

IDC is also building upon terabytes of proprietary data, expert thought leadership, and existing digital products to create new generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered business lines that serve its customers in fundamentally new ways.

Recruitment Fraud Notice: IDG/IDC/Foundry  would like to inform you that we conduct our formal communications via corporate email, our Applicant Tracking System iCIMS, LinkedIn messaging, or directly by phone. We do not use any other platform (including Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, text, instant message, etc.) to communicate with prospective candidates. If you receive any communication outside of our formal communications channels, please ignore it and block the sender or caller. In addition, we do not ask candidates to provide sensitive personally identifiable information such as bank account or social security numbers. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to represent a job offer, please report it as potential job fraud to law enforcement.

• Identify key market trends in relational and non-schematic database management systems, data lake technology, low-code, navigational, multivalue, and in-memory database management systems.
• Analyze competitive market strategies and conduct market segment and sizing studies.
• Contribute to ongoing research to analyze trends in these segments including the competitive strategy and financial performance of technology providers, and end user demand for those offers.
• Provide industry expertise for client-facing engagements and client inquires.
• Partner with sales and drive incremental revenue through subscription and custom solutions for our AAD&A group.
• Utilize knowledge of key digital transformation drivers as well as key enterprise IT challenges in data management across diverse areas such as database cloud migration, hybrid and multi-cloud data environments, predictive, interpretive and generative AI.
• Respond to client requests for market/competitive data across these database management technology markets.
• Collaborate with other analysts, particularly in data management and data analytics, in creating research documents and forecasts.
• Presenting to senior management including C-Level executives across the domain as well as interviewing/interacting with a wide range of IT and technology vendor decision- makers and C-Suite Executives.

• Bachelor’s degree required; master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years' experience in market research, advisory, marketing or consulting specific to the database management domain. Experience in database management or design is a plus, but not required.
• Knowledge of the database management tech sector is required, as well as the ability to analyze and provide actionable guidance to technology providers and end-users
• Knowledge of product portfolios including infrastructure, containers, object stores, software, and services.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze survey data and provide a clear, concise summation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to analyze, present and articulate complex data sets.
• Good interpersonal and organizational skills and the capacity to work both independently and within a team.
• Proven ability to read and evaluate financial reports to analyze key drivers that will impact companies’ ability to differentiate and remain competitive.
• Ability to travel (25-30%) for client meetings, industry events and customer projects.
• This position is based in IDC’s Needham, MA office. We will consider remote candidates from an approved US office location. We will consider remote approved Canadian locations (Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia) or in the Greater Toronto area.  Candidates located in the Greater Toronto area are required to come into our downtown office in a hyrbrid work environment 2 days per week.

About IDC:  International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,300 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries worldwide. For 50 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company.

At IDC, we are committed to fair and equitable pay practices. We pay our employees equitably for their work, commensurate with their individual skills and experience. Salary range and additional compensation, including discretionary bonuses and incentive pay, are determined by a rigorous review process. This process considers the experience, education, certifications, and skills required for the specific role, equity with similarly situated employees, as well as employer-verified US region-specific market data provided by an independent 3rd party partner. The expected total annual compensation, depending on location and experience, is between $140,000 and $170,000 and is inclusive of base salary and variable compensation (if applicable).

IDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, handicap, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, ancestry, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or other categories protected by law.

IDC Canada is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the Company's policy to recruit and select applicants for employment solely based on their qualifications, with emphasis on selecting the best-qualified person for the job. Applicants must have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) card. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Compensation for IDC Canada will be determined based on current market data for CAD dollars