Strategic Research Programs & Market Insights Lead

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

Job summary

NetApp is seeking a Research Programs & Market Insights Lead to drive our primary research program. You will set the research agenda, direct a network of research partners, and ensure studies are rigorous and tied to real business decisions.

This senior individual contributor role requires guiding senior leaders, leading through influence, and operating with autonomy in a fast-changing environment. The position supports a hybrid work model.

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 Research Programs: Lead the primary research program for Product Marketing and Product, setting priorities and quality standards.
• Lead Through Partners: 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.
• Understand Customers and Buyers: Lead research on customer needs, jobs to be done, buyer journeys, and decision-making, and bring findings together into a clear, customer-centered view of the market.
• Market Sizing and Segmentation: Lead market sizing and segmentation research to inform how we understand the markets we serve and new developing markets.
• Customer Decision Dynamics: Direct structured research, including win/loss, to understand how customers evaluate and choose, and turn the findings into insight for go-to-market and product teams.
• Brief Senior Leaders: Present findings to senior and executive management in Product Marketing and Product Management with clear, decision-ready insight.
• Drive Thought Leadership: Develop research perspectives on customer and market trends that inform strategy and messaging.
• Lead Through Influence: Guide cross-functional initiatives, apply modern tools and AI to improve how research is done, and mentor colleagues.

Skills

Market research

Research leadership

Executive briefing

AI in research

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

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

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

NetApp is seeking a Research Programs & Market Insights Lead to drive our primary research program. You will set the research agenda, direct a network of research partners, and ensure studies are rigorous and tied to real business decisions.

This senior individual contributor role requires guiding senior leaders, leading through influence, and operating with autonomy in a fast-changing environment. The position supports a hybrid work model.