VP, Research Director, Enterprise Business Apps and Services

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About This Role:

Forrester Research is seeking a Vice President, Research Director to lead a research team responsible for our enterprise business apps and services practice. This practice serves CIOs, senior technology leaders, and heads of enterprise applications responsible for the strategy, modernization, sourcing, and long‑term performance and operations of core enterprise business applications such as ERP, CRM, HCM, SCM, and other major business apps that underpin core business and customer-facing operations. The Vice President, Research Director also serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders at major enterprise software and service providers delivering insight on market evolution, competitive positioning, portfolio strategy, product/services, and go‑to‑market messaging.

The Vice President, Research Director is responsible for defining a compelling and actionable research agenda that encompasses vision, strategy, and execution to address the needs of our target clients. This research agenda must provide a holistic set of answers to the questions that are most important to clients, which will require working with other research directors and executive partners across Forrester’s research services. This role has primary responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the research deliverables produced by the research team.

Finally, this person will advocate and champion Forrester’s research services both within Forrester and externally. This requires partnering closely with our global sales organization during the pursuit of new business opportunities as well as the enrichment of existing client relationships.

Job Description:

• Engage as a thought leader and partner with the analyst team, other research directors, and our executive partners to elevate, refine, and expand the research agenda.
• Set and evolve a research agenda grounded in client reality, with particular focus on: ERP, CRM, HCM, and SCM strategy, modernization and migration, post-migration stability and operating models, vendor-embedded AI capabilities, systems integrator and AMS contracting structures, and enterprise app licensing and cloud subscription models. The research agenda should also cover the impact of agentic AI on the future of enterprise business apps and the implications it will have on buy versus build features.
• Edit syndicated research reports and ensure the quality of our intellectual property (IP).
• Serve as a leader, mentor, and coach to the research team in support of their professional development goals and help establish their impact on our clients and throughout the industry.
• Partner with account teams to identify and pursue business opportunities.
• Partner with executive partners to help deliver exceptional client engagement for Forrester’s executive clients.
• Meet the team performance goals for smooth and adaptive content production, advisory, consulting, and client support.
• Participate and speak at Forrester-sponsored and other events to drive awareness of our technology executive practice and represent our thought leadership.

Job Requirements:

• At least 15 years of experience in a mix of roles as a VP-level and above practitioner, consultant, or research analyst in enterprise business apps or in the services related to the strategy development, sourcing, implementation, or management these apps, or as a senior leader in a product management or customer-facing role at a major enterprise app vendor, SI, etc.
• A strong understanding of how vendors are embedding AI in enterprise business applications and the implications this has on operations, including where AI features are delivering measurable operational value today — and where they introduce cost, risk, or architectural complexity.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as an advisor to senior management and C-level clients.
• Deep intellectual curiosity about how technology can drive business forward; solid business instincts as well as a practical understanding of what makes companies tick and how technology leaders operate; and a willingness to continually look at markets and technologies through new lenses.
• Strong knowledge of the issues and challenges that technology leaders and practitioners face.
• A strong record of academic achievement.
• Superior analytical, writing, editing, and presentation skills.

The ability to travel 30% of the time or more.

Please note that the base salary range indicated here is inclusive of all applicable US geographies listed in this requisition, with the exception of New York City and Georgia.  This salary range is based upon the position as described in the job listing.  The offered compensation may vary within this range and is dependent upon the successful candidate’s primary work location, experience, training, education, and credentials.

Base salary range: $190,000 - $310,000

Base salary range for Georgia: $171,000 - $279,000

Base salary range for New York City, $219,000 – $357,000

For information on benefits, please visit: https://forresterbenefits.com/

The application deadline is June 30, 2026. Please refer to the job posting on Forrester.com careers page if the deadline has been extended.

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Here at Forrester, we welcome people from all backgrounds and perspectives. Our aim is for all candidates to be able to fully participate in Forrester’s recruitment process. If you would like to discuss a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to [email protected]. 

Forrester Research, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. As a federal contractor, Forrester encourages veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Forrester will consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

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