Research Director, IT Financial Management

Info-Tech Research Group•,

11h

About The Position

The ITFM (IT Financial Management) practice helps IT leaders around the world answer a hard question with evidence: how does our technology spend compared to our peers, and where should we improve? As Research Director, you own the delivery of Info-Tech's flagship IT Spend and Staffing Benchmarking service - the engagements that put that evidence in front of CIOs and CFOs. You will provide experience-based benchmarking insight and guidance that helps IT leaders drive measurable results, maintaining an active pulse on the needs of Members located globally and staying current on industry developments so you can deliver exceptional service across calls and benchmark engagements - in collaboration with analysts, Research Directors, and colleagues across the Research Division. This is a senior, client-facing advisory role. While it is not a formal people-management position, you set the standard the wider ITFM analyst team works to, and your judgment shapes how the benchmarking service itself evolves.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree required (business or technology preferred).
Practical experience (5–10+ years) in one or more of: IT Cost Benchmarking, IT Financial Management, or Project Management.
Experience in project-driven environments.
Presentation and facilitation experience demonstrated through prior client-facing engagements.
Eligibility to obtain appropriate work authorization for cross-border engagements within North America.
Availability for periodic after-hours work to support APAC-based client engagements.
Client Interaction & Facilitation - Leads calls and benchmark engagements with C-suite Members; facilitates discussion and builds trusted-advisor standing.
Benchmarking & Cost Analysis - Deep working knowledge of IT Spend and Staffing Benchmarking methodology, cost frameworks, and peer set construction.
Project Management - Manages engagement timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations across concurrent client benchmarks.
Business Development - Identifies and helps develop opportunities to grow the benchmarking service and its value to clients.
Executive Writing & Presentation - Produces and delivers polished, executive-ready written analysis, decks, and keynote presentations.
AI Productivity Tooling - Practical use of AI tools (e.g., Claude, Copilot, ChatGPT) to accelerate analysis, research, and writing. A working habit, not a credential.
Inclusion - Works effectively and respectfully with a globally distributed team and Member base.
Knowledge Application & Decision Making - Applies sound problem-solving and judgment in ambiguous, data-light situations.
Managing Through Change & Uncertainty - Stays effective and credible as client needs, data, and priorities shift.
Dynamic Learning Mindset - Keeps a pulse on industry trends and brings new thinking back into the practice.
Mentorship & Collaboration - Reviews and improves analyst work and shares knowledge proactively across the team.

Nice To Haves

History of gaining and maintaining trusted-advisor status with management; strong working relationships with the C-suite.
Experience leading teams, given the advisory nature of the services offered (this is not a formal people-management role).
Professional certifications in Finance and Accounting, Project Management, Business Analysis, or other related disciplines.
Active use of AI productivity tooling (e.g., Claude, Copilot) in analytical, research, or writing workflows.
MA, MBA, or MSc.
Experience with ERP or financial systems as cost data sources (SAP, Oracle, Workday, Dynamics, etc.).
Prior experience contributing to cross-departmental initiatives (e.g., Sales, Public Relations & Marketing, Global Services).
Bilingual proficiency in French, Spanish or German is preferred to support our diverse client base across North America and globally.

Responsibilities

Lead and deliver ITFM’s flagship offering - IT Spend and Staffing Benchmarking engagements with analyst support.
Act as a trusted guide for C-suite clients in IT Financial Management, sharing insight on how to manage costs better and lessons from their industry on improving IT’s cost-to-value through benchmarking.
Improve the benchmarking service through your expertise — new ways of representing data and new opportunities to enhance the insights delivered.
Keep a pulse on industry trends and best practices in your areas of expertise, contributing ideas that shape the benchmarking service.
Support Call Advisory, Workshops, and Global Services teams by advising peers on IT Spend and Staff Benchmark research and analysis as needed.
Provide subject-matter expertise and feedback to other Research Division teams and to partnering divisions — Sales, Public Relations & Marketing, and others — as needed.
Design and build high-quality keynote and other presentations and deliver them successfully as needed.
Contribute to and help with own benchmarking methodology, mapping standards, and delivery toolsets, working with Research Directors and the Practice Lead.
Support automation and data infrastructure initiatives that improve engagement consistency and scalability.
Mentor Research Analysts, reviewing their benchmark outputs and client-ready materials and helping them progress toward independent engagement leadership.
Make active use of AI productivity tooling (e.g., Claude, Copilot) in analysis, research, and writing workflows, and help bring effective practices to the wider team.