Research Director

IDC; Needham (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days (15 days prorated)

Holidays (12 holidays)

Sick days (6 days prorated)

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Floating holidays (2)

Volunteer day

401(k) company match

Short-term disability

Life insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

IDC is seeking a Research Director to lead work in agentic AI tools and platforms within the AD&A research domain. You will analyze market trends, size markets, forecast growth, and collaborate with analysts across AI research areas.

The role offers remote flexibility from a US location or onsite in Boston, MA, with travel 25–30% and frequent client interactions. You will present to senior management, contribute to research documents, and help shape strategy and business value for technology

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Practitioner experience implementing AI projects in technical or business transformation roles.
• First-hand experience using AI tools is a strong plus.
• Strong knowledge of the AI technology sector with ability to analyze trends and provide actionable guidance.
• Up-to-date knowledge of large language models and AI industry.
• Knowledge of AI deployment models and their pros/cons.
• Ability to analyze survey data and provide clear summaries and recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to present complex data.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; ability to work independently and in a team.
• Willingness to travel 25–30% for client meetings and events.
• Role may be remote from approved US location or onsite in Boston, MA.

Responsibilities

• Identify key market trends in agentic AI and broader AI developments.
• Analyze competitive market strategies and conduct market sizing studies.
• Contribute to ongoing research and forecasts across segments.
• Provide industry expertise for client engagements and inquiries.
• Partner with sales to drive revenue through subscriptions and custom solutions.
• Apply knowledge of IT challenges in software development, automation, integration, and AI.
• Respond to client requests for market/competitive data.
• Collaborate with other analysts on research documents and forecasts.
• Present to senior management and interact with IT decision-makers.

Skills

Agentic AI knowledge

AI tools experience

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

IDC research methodologies

Job description

IDC

Research Director

US--

Job ID: 2026-7101

# of Openings: 1

Category: Research IDC

Overview

About the Role & Team

IDC is seeking a Research Director to join our established worldwide artificial intelligence, data and automation (AD&A) research domain to focus on agentic AI tools and platforms. The candidate will have to demonstrate deep existing knowledge of both the existing and future capabilities across all types of agentic AI tools and platforms, including those that can build, manage, orchestrate and govern AI agents for use in the enterprise. The candidate will also collaborate with other analysts covering adjacent technologies including other forms of AI and Automation technologies. Research will include understanding market drivers and trends, buying behaviors, and the business value impact of these technologies. The candidate will employ IDC research methodologies to size markets and forecast market growth.

What You’ll Do

• Identify key market trends in agentic AI, as well as broader AI technology and market developments.
• Analyze competitive market strategies and conduct market segment and sizing studies.
• Contribute to ongoing research to analyze trends in these segments, including the competitive strategy and financial performance of technology providers, and end user demand for those offers.
• Provide industry expertise for client-facing engagements and client inquiries.
• Partner with sales and drive incremental revenue through subscription and custom solutions for our AD&A group.
• Utilize knowledge of key digital transformation drivers as well as key enterprise IT challenges in software development, business automation, integration, and AI (predictive, interpretive, and generative).
• Respond to client requests for market/competitive data across these agentic AI tool and platform technology markets.
• Collaborate with other analysts, particularly in other AI research areas, in creating research documents and forecasts.
• Presenting to senior management including C-Level executives across the domain as well as interviewing/interacting with a wide range of IT and technology vendor decision-makers and senior level audience.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Practitioner experience working in a technical and/or business transformation capacity implementing AI projects.
• First-hand experience using AI tools is a strong plus.
• Strong knowledge of the overall AI technology sector is required, along with the ability to analyze trends and provide actionable guidance to technology providers and buyers. Direct experience in this area is ideal.
• Up-to-date knowledge of innovations in large language models and the AI industry more broadly.
• Knowledge of AI deployment models and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze survey data and provide clear, concise summaries and recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyze, present, and articulate complex data sets.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, with the capacity to work both independently and within a team.
• Proven ability to read and evaluate financial reports to analyze key drivers that impact companies’ ability to differentiate and remain competitive.
• Ability to travel 25-30% for client meetings, industry events, and customer projects.
• This role offers the flexibility to work remotely from an approved U.S. location, or onsite at our corporate office in Boston, MA.

Why This Role Stands Out

At IDC, your work helps shape how the world understands technology and where it goes next. You collaborate with curious, high-caliber colleagues who value rigor, integrity, and shared success. As the premier global provider of trusted technology intelligence, IDC equips business and technology leaders with the evidence they need to make confident decisions. Our insights inform strategy, investment, and innovation across industries and regions.

Recognized by IIAR as Analyst Firm of the Year for five consecutive years, IDC sets the standard for credibility and impact. With more than 1,000 analysts worldwide and a truly global perspective, we combine deep expertise with practical relevance. Here, your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your contributions provide the insights leaders rely on every day. It is meaningful work, backed by a culture that supports growth, collaboration, and long-term career development with a globally respected brand.

What We Offer

• 15 vacation days (prorated based on start date)
• 12 company-paid holidays
• 6 paid sick days (prorated based on start date; may vary by state)
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 2 floating holidays (prorated based on start date)
• 1 volunteer day
• 401(k) company match (IDC matches 3% on the first 6% of employee contributions)
• Company-paid short-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid parental leave

Compensation Transparency

At IDC, we are committed to fair and equitable pay practices. Employees are compensated equitably for their work, aligned with their skills and experience. Salary and incentive structures are determined through a rigorous process that considers experience, education, certifications, role‑specific requirements, internal equity, and verified U.S. market data from an independent third‑party partner. The expected total annual compensation, depending on location and experience, is between $150,000 – $180,000, inclusive of base salary and variable compensation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IDC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. Employment eligibility verification required. We participate in E-Verify.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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