Head of Research Programs & Market Insights

NetApp; Morrisville (NC); Hybrid; USD 240,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

NetApp is seeking a Research Programs & Market Insights Lead to set the research agenda, direct a network of partners, and ensure studies guide business decisions. You will build evidence-based views of customer needs, buying journeys, and market dynamics for Product Marketing and Product teams.

You will oversee external agencies, shape research through innovative tools, and present executive-ready insights that influence go-to-market and product strategy.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in market or customer research, strategic insights, or product marketing within an enterprise technology, cloud, or data infrastructure company.
• Demonstrated expertise in primary research methodology (qualitative and quantitative), including jobs to be done, segmentation, buyer journey, and win/loss research.
• Experience with market sizing and segmentation analysis.
• Proven experience directing external research agencies and partners to high standards of quality.
• Proven experience briefing and influencing senior and executive leaders, with strong executive presence.
• Understanding of B2B data, AI, and cloud infrastructure technologies and go‑to‑market models.
• Record of leading large, cross‑functional programs through influence and operating effectively in ambiguity.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, with the ability to present findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the primary research program for Product Marketing and Product, setting priorities and quality standards.
• Direct research agencies and panel providers to execute studies end to end, managing scope, methodology, and budget.
• Oversee workstreams and review design and findings for rigor and quality.
• Lead research on customer needs, jobs to be done, buyer journeys, and decision-making, and bring findings into a customer-centered market view.
• Lead market sizing and segmentation research to inform market understanding and new markets.
• Direct structured research, including win/loss, to understand how customers evaluate and choose, and turn findings into GTM insight.
• Present findings to senior and executive management with clear, decision-ready insight.
• Develop research perspectives on customer and market trends that inform strategy and messaging.

Skills

Qualitative & quantitative research

Jobs to be done

Segmentation analysis

Buyer journey

Win/Loss research

Executive briefing

AI in research

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Economics, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Research agencies management

Panel providers management

Job description

NetApp is seeking a Research Programs & Market Insights Lead to set the research agenda, direct a network of partners, and ensure studies guide business decisions. You will build evidence-based views of customer needs, buying journeys, and market dynamics for Product Marketing and Product teams.

You will oversee external agencies, shape research through innovative tools, and present executive-ready insights that influence go-to-market and product strategy.