Research Director, AI

Informa Group Plc.•Newton, MA

7d•$150,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Omdia (now part of Informa TechTarget) is seeking a Research Director to lead its Artificial Intelligence practice. This role involves leading and managing a global analyst team, guiding the strategic evolution of the AI service area, and driving growth across subscription and custom research offerings. The AI Service Area includes four core syndicated products: Advanced Compute, AI Applications, AI Platforms, and AI APAC, all built on quantitative data and qualitative insights. The Research Director will ensure research deliverables meet high-quality standards and provide actionable insights. A key responsibility is building strong client and prospect relationships. The role requires strong commercial acumen, active collaboration with sales, and client engagement to showcase the AI Service Area's capabilities. This is a hands-on role requiring the director to conduct research, publish under their own name, and speak at events. The ideal candidate is an experienced analyst with a proven track record of producing credible research and possessing strong insight into the AI technology landscape. The candidate must be confident presenting to diverse audiences, from AI practitioners to senior industry executives. The position is suited for an enthusiastic, collaborative individual with exceptional leadership skills and a passion for driving innovation in AI research, bringing a strategic mindset and commitment to excellence to inspire and mentor a global team.

Requirements

Team management, with the ability to engage directly with team members to deliver results for clients.
Build a climate where feedback and review of decisions and practices is part of everyday work.
Team development, to enhance and invest in a coaching environment focused on long-term performance, personal/team strengths and development areas, linking them to current and future corporate strategy.
At least 7 years of professional experience.
Experience as an industry analyst or in market research.
Solid understanding and insight into the Artificial Intelligence technology and services market.
Ability to quickly form credible, distinctive, compelling, and original opinions on how aspects of these will evolve, and why.
Quantitative research, with the ability to build, maintain, and enhance market forecasts and trackers.
Ability to present complex concepts and trends from data in a compelling manner.
Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex ideas.
Strong verbal communication and presentation skills, including a personable manner and the confidence to present to, engage with, and influence executives at the highest levels of the industry.
The ability to build and enhance a profile with industry contacts and opinion formers.
The ability to quickly and coherently identify and communicate critical issues impacting the commercial performance of Omdia’s vendor clients across the Artificial Intelligence tech and services market.
Experience of working with sales and marketing teams to identify and successfully capitalize on business development opportunities.
A proven track record of managing a workload to ensure deadlines are met and client expectations are exceeded.
Cultural awareness, as the role involves working with global clients and within a global virtual team environment.

Nice To Haves

A network of existing industry contacts would be desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a global analyst team in the Artificial Intelligence Service Area (APAC, EMEA, NA).
Shape and develop the workload within the I&A capability of Informa TechTarget, ensuring client delivery.
Support team members, encourage personal development, and plan research.
Build and maintain a network of client relationships, becoming a trusted advisor.
Promote a culture of teamwork and knowledge sharing within the research team.
Foster cross-functional collaboration with other teams throughout Omdia.
Support the creation of high-quality research in the form of reports, trackers, forecasts, and presentations.
Develop and test hypotheses that challenge existing market beliefs to provide unique insights.
Produce analysis that goes beyond the descriptive to give Omdia a competitive edge.
Define and expand an area of research using expertise and experience.
Market expertise at a senior level within clients and prospects.
Provide timely responses to market events and offer up-to-date opinions.
Build, develop, and manage ongoing relationships with clients.
Represent Omdia and Informa TechTarget, demonstrating expertise in Artificial Intelligence and related areas.
Engage with sales, marketing, product management, and PR teams.
Actively participate in client-facing meetings with the sales team.
Offer insight to planning meetings and contribute to the strategic direction of the team and wider Enterprise & Channel team.
Develop a customer-based point of view for new products and advisory services based on understanding client needs.
Conduct own research and publish under own name.
Speak at client and industry events.

Benefits

Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks
Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too
Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning.
When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves
Time out: annual leave, birthday leave, volunteer days and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year
A flexible range of personal benefits to choose from, plus company funded private medical cover
A ShareMatch scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder with free matching shares
Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, a healthy living subsidy, access to health apps and more
Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programmes
As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world