Principal Research Director - Industry, Retail & Professional Services

Principal Research Director - Industry, Retail & Professional Services

Description

Position Purpose

The Principal Research Director – Industry, Retail & Professional Services provides measurable value to members (clients) through high-quality research including, but not limited to Supermarkets, Department Stores, Retail and professional services firms, IT Strategy development, application of industry trends, working knowledge of core technology used in the respective industry, IT Spend & Budget Management research, Risk & Compliance, etc., as well as through video calls and facilitating workshops. This role is responsible for developing Retail and Professional Services methodologies and research content and helps grow the scope of advisory services that we provide to our Industry research members.

If you are passionate about being a thought partner of Retail and Professional Services CIOs and all IT leaders accountable for technology services and developing tools and methods to support them, then we would love to hear from you!

Duties & Responsibilities

• Identifying technology trends and proposing research topics related to Retail and Professional Services IT and business services
• Development of research project outlines, scoping documents, and other related documentation
• Completing primary & secondary research through 3-month research cycles.
• Design and build of research content for publication, in keeping with established research process & quality guidelines
• Creating Retail and Professional Services research for members upon request
• Providing Analyst insights and value to clients that are aligned with specific client needs through client advisory calls and written correspondence
• Successful execution on commitments agreed upon in workshop Statements of Work (SOW) and in alignment to expectations negotiated with clients
• Provide verbal & written information and expertise to Info-Tech Consulting teams as needed
• Provide recommendations to Sales Representatives/Directors on potential client workshops and other means of client engagement
• Work jointly with our marketing team and account management team to reengage customers with low service levels through targeted campaigns and outreach.
• Help drive the commercial success of the Industry practice working with consulting, project management and account management teams.
• Respond & provide written collateral to Sales Representatives/Directors and Global Services (formerly Executive Services) staff in a timely manner
• Monitor ongoing developments in various industry areas via research and vendor briefings and advise our members on trends and industry directions.
• Design and build of high-quality keynote/other presentations, and successful delivery of presentations as needed

Areas of focus for this role includes:

• Agenda Planning. Contribute to Info-Tech’s Research Agenda planning activities by identifying trends in the Retail and Professional Services space, proposing research topics, and developing research outlines and scoping documents.
• Research.   Develop research content centered around best practice methodologies, practical case studies, and industry research to provide members with the resources they need to be successful IT managers and leaders.
• Member Advisory. Leverage our research to assist members through the process of executing projects or process improvements connected to IT and business in Retail and Professional Services, either remotely (working through a series of structured calls or online workshops) or onsite when it is safe to do so (working through structured workshops).
• Service Quality. Ensuring that you provide measurable value to our clients through the various services provided: research, calls, workshops, and consulting.
• Business Development Support. Support business development activities for Consulting services participating in proposal writing, project scoping, and client presentations. Identify opportunities to provide value to clients through workshops and consulting engagements and work with our commercial teams to define the scope and project outcomes.
• Account Renewal Rate. Support your team and the account managers to reengage customers with low service levels through targeted campaigns and outreach.  
• Presentation Development & Delivery. Develop keynote/other presentations that will be delivered during client events organized by Info-Tech Research Group, client organizations or prospects, or partner organizations, etc.

  Education and Experience

• Bachelors’ degree or higher in business or technology, or other related discipline, or equivalent experience required

• Certifications in an IT or project management related topic e.g. PMP, COBIT 5, ITIL an asset
• Minimum 10 years of experience at Director-level/above or equivalent working in an IT role as a practitioner or consultant or analyst with experience in mid to large IT organization in the Retail or Professional Services industries

• Proven acquired experience delivering guidance in some combination of the following topics:
  • IT Strategy
  • Budget Management
  • Governance
  • Risk & Compliance,
  • Service Management
  • People and Leadership
  • Vendor Management
• Proven experience coaching, mentoring, collaborating

• Must be eligible to obtain TN Visa and willing and able to travel (25-50%) to deliver workshops onsite at client locations both within and outside of North America, when safe to do so.

 Skills & Competencies

• Inclusion. Contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences, and empowered to participate and contribute freely.

• Domain Expertise. Expert understanding and experience of the key management processes within an IT department and business operations in the Retail or Professional Services industries. Includes understanding of new trends, technologies and demand in the industry.

• Client Advisory and Service Delivery: Ability to lead clients through complex projects by providing guidance, critical analysis, and support; demonstrated experience building trusted client relationships and establishing the role of a trusted advisor; ability to lead clients through structured working sessions to facilitate inclusive discussions.
• Insight Generation: Demonstrated experience building client rapport, credibility and relationships and establishing the role of a trusted advisor; ability to frame problems or solutions in a new or unique way that resonates with our member base.
• Knowledge Application, Problem Solving & Decision Making. Can make relevant recommendations on next steps and helpful resources in response to indirect and direct cues and topics discussed during member interactions. Uses critical thinking to evaluate problems, gather information, understand causes, and identify best possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations.
• Project Management. Manage project scope and report on project progress within a timely manner. Ability to negotiate while managing scope and client expectations.
• Planning & Results Orientation. Invests time in upfront planning to achieve organizational goals and objectives while meeting quality standards, following the appropriate processes, and demonstrating continuous commitment.
• Writing Ability. Ability to craft and word deliverables in a clear and concise manner. Achieve an aesthetically appealing outcome that is polished and professional.
• Business Development. Generate advisory sales leads from interactions with clients, whether during analyst calls or during project work, and proposing Info-Tech Research Group’s services to fulfill Member’s needs.
• Managing Through Change & Uncertainty. Adjusts thinking and behavior to resiliently face change and uses experience to fuel growth. Embraces failure as a learning opportunity for themselves and others. Enables the process of change and transition while helping others deal with the effects of change.
• Dynamic Learning Mindset. Continuously seeks opportunities to learn, questions the applicability of past approaches in the current environment, owns growth, and embraces failure as a learning opportunity.

ITRG is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected factors. To that end, upon request, ITRG will ensure, to the extent possible, that accommodation be made available to applicants throughout the recruitment and hiring process.

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