Senior Research Director, Integration and AI Enablement

IDC; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Health, dental, vision coverage

Retirement plan with company match

Technology allowance

Job summary

IDC seeks a Research Director to lead integration, API management and AI-enablement within the AD&A research domain. You will size markets, forecast growth and analyze market drivers, buyer behavior and business value across middleware technologies.

In this role you will collaborate with analysts, present to senior executives, guide client inquiries, and partner with sales to drive revenue through subscriptions and custom solutions for our AD&A group.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the Integration software market and AI technology sector.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze survey data and provide concise summaries/recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to present complex data.

Responsibilities

• Identify key market trends in integration and AI enablement.
• Analyze competitive market strategies and conduct market sizing studies.
• Contribute to ongoing research analyzing trends and provider performance.

Skills

Integration market knowledge

AI technology sector knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Financial analysis

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree preferred

Job description

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 integration, API management and AI-enablement within our agentic automation team. The candidate should have strong knowledge of both the existing and future capabilities across all middleware capabilities including messaging, integration platforms, API management and agentic orchestration capabilities including MCP and agent-to-agent (A2A) orchestration. The candidate will also collaborate with other analysts covering adjacent technologies including other forms of AI, Data 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.

Overview

IDC is seeking a Research Director to join our established worldwide artificial intelligence, data and automation (AD&A) research domain to focus on integration, API management and AI-enablement within our agentic automation team. The candidate should have strong knowledge of both the existing and future capabilities across all middleware capabilities including messaging, integration platforms, API management and agentic orchestration capabilities including MCP and agent-to-agent (A2A) orchestration. The candidate will also collaborate with other analysts covering adjacent technologies including other forms of AI, Data 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 integration and AI enablement, 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.
• Respond to client requests for market/competitive data across relevant tool and platform technology markets.
• Collaborate with other analysts, particularly in other agentic automation 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.
• Strong knowledge of the Integration software market, as well as 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 a strong plus.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze survey data and provide clear, concise summaries and recommendations to both technology buyers and suppliers.
• 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. or Canadian 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 per year (increases with tenure; carryover allowed)
• 10 paid sick days per year
• 1 week paid new parenting leave
• Flexible work options (remote, part-time, flexible hours)
• Health, dental, vision, and paramedical coverage for you and your family
• Annual healthcare spending account
• Employee Assistance Program for counseling and support
• Best Doctors medical second opinions
• Life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
• Retirement savings plan with company match (up to 4% of salary)
• $75/month technology allowance for home office or phone expenses
• Company-paid cell phone plan

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 Canada market data from an independent third-party partner. The expected total annual compensation, depending on location and experience, is between $120,000 CAD – $208,000 CAD, 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.