VP, Research Director, Enterprise Business Apps and Services

Forrester•Atlanta, CT

2d•Remote

About The Position

Forrester Research is seeking a Vice President, Research Director to lead a research team responsible for our enterprise business apps and services practice. This practice serves CIOs, senior technology leaders, and heads of enterprise applications responsible for the strategy, modernization, sourcing, and long‑term performance and operations of core enterprise business applications such as ERP, CRM, HCM, SCM, and other major business apps that underpin core business and customer-facing operations. The Vice President, Research Director also serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders at major enterprise software and service providers delivering insight on market evolution, competitive positioning, portfolio strategy, product/services, and go‑to‑market messaging. The Vice President, Research Director is responsible for defining a compelling and actionable research agenda that encompasses vision, strategy, and execution to address the needs of our target clients. This research agenda must provide a holistic set of answers to the questions that are most important to clients, which will require working with other research directors and executive partners across Forrester’s research services. This role has primary responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the research deliverables produced by the research team. Finally, this person will advocate and champion Forrester’s research services both within Forrester and externally. This requires partnering closely with our global sales organization during the pursuit of new business opportunities as well as the enrichment of existing client relationships.

Requirements

At least 15 years of experience in a mix of roles as a VP-level and above practitioner, consultant, or research analyst in enterprise business apps or in the services related to the strategy development, sourcing, implementation, or management these apps, or as a senior leader in a product management or customer-facing role at a major enterprise app vendor, SI, etc.
A strong understanding of how vendors are embedding AI in enterprise business applications and the implications this has on operations, including where AI features are delivering measurable operational value today — and where they introduce cost, risk, or architectural complexity.
Demonstrated ability to serve as an advisor to senior management and C-level clients.
Deep intellectual curiosity about how technology can drive business forward; solid business instincts as well as a practical understanding of what makes companies tick and how technology leaders operate; and a willingness to continually look at markets and technologies through new lenses.
Strong knowledge of the issues and challenges that technology leaders and practitioners face.
A strong record of academic achievement.
Superior analytical, writing, editing, and presentation skills.
The ability to travel 30% of the time or more.

Responsibilities

Engage as a thought leader and partner with the analyst team, other research directors, and our executive partners to elevate, refine, and expand the research agenda.
Set and evolve a research agenda grounded in client reality, with particular focus on: ERP, CRM, HCM, and SCM strategy, modernization and migration, post-migration stability and operating models, vendor-embedded AI capabilities, systems integrator and AMS contracting structures, and enterprise app licensing and cloud subscription models.
The research agenda should also cover the impact of agentic AI on the future of enterprise business apps and the implications it will have on buy versus build features.
Edit syndicated research reports and ensure the quality of our intellectual property (IP).
Serve as a leader, mentor, and coach to the research team in support of their professional development goals and help establish their impact on our clients and throughout the industry.
Partner with account teams to identify and pursue business opportunities.
Partner with executive partners to help deliver exceptional client engagement for Forrester’s executive clients.
Meet the team performance goals for smooth and adaptive content production, advisory, consulting, and client support.
Participate and speak at Forrester-sponsored and other events to drive awareness of our technology executive practice and represent our thought leadership.