Director, Research - Audit & Risk - Irving, TX

About this role

Research Directors work closely with C-level executives from Fortune 500 and other senior leaders to identify and produce research that solves complex, pressing business challenges on a global scale. This includes directing the scope of the research, identifying, and executing on product deliverables (e.g., best-practice case studies, issue analysis papers, benchmarking results), and building new content ideas. They exhibit a flexible approach to respond to executives' needs as they are uncovered and evolve. The Research Director also partners with commercial, and other team members, to drive positive client and business outcomes. The Research Director is a senior member of the Gartner Audit and Risk research team, providing research for Chief Audit Executives and Heads of Enterprise Risk Management. The Research Director will also be a leader for one or two Key Research Initiatives responsible for identifying clients most pressing challenges and setting the research agenda to help solve them. This involves owning, managing, and leading priority projects that help clients understand and apply our insights, as well as having the ability to think logically and creatively to define future research direction.

What you will do

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, efficient reasoning, creative reasoning, development and use of data and evidence, and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.

• Identify executive needs and inform the development of research around those needs, building frameworks and models to identify new teachings.

• Own research projects end to end, leading researchers through Gartner's proprietary research processes including hypothesis generation, primary and secondary research, and root cause analysis to identify best-in-class solutions.

• Conduct surveys and phone interviews with executives and industry experts to identify clients' most pressing challenges, discover best practices, and develop research products around them.

• Lead extensive secondary literature searches and elicit the highest quality insights for use in white papers, exclusive client webinars, and highly visible research studies.

• Hold a leadership role in shaping various research projects including case studies, diagnostics, frameworks, tools, and quantitative surveys.

• Communicate research findings to clients and senior internal managers in a clear and compelling manner, including compelling text and graphics.

• Develop and execute on research plan, including research topics, webinars, diagnostics, and other deliverables.

• Coach and develop researchers, as well as pressure-test ideas and provide feedback on draft documents and research projects. (Note: The Research Director does not have direct reports but does have a substantial role in coaching and developing researchers.)

• Connect and collaborate on insights with peers across the assurance practice and firm, to create new client teachings for the executives we serve and to innovate continuously on existing products.

• Support change efforts through a positive attitude, constructive suggestions, and peer engagement.

What you will need

• A Bachelor's degree required, and a Master's/PhD in a social science preferred.

• 10+ years of experience conducting primary and secondary research utilizing qualitative and quantitative data.

• Strong business acumen and intellectual curiosity to process and understand information quickly, as well as diagnose issues to make actionable recommendations.

• Experience converting qualitative and quantitative information into clear frameworks, narratives and visually compelling presentations for senior Gartner managers and clients.

• People and project management experience, with the ability to lead, develop, and motivate members of the research team.

• Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback to support high-quality research output.

• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, to achieve results.

• Competence to meet deadlines, prioritize and organize tasks effectively, and manage work under ambiguity (e.g., changing factors, limited information).

• Ability to navigate a highly matrixed, remote work environment by proactively forming networks.

Who you are

• Critical thinker and problem solver demonstrating the ability to assess business problems and provide actionable, outcome-based insights.

• A great writer with experience publishing business-related deliverables such as white papers, articles, etc.

• Excellent communicator and relationship manager who enjoys working with C-level Executives and can disseminate complex data through relevant means.

• Experienced project manager and coach of junior staff in a team environment with the ability to work collaboratively with a variety of business, data science and technical stakeholders across global teams.

What we offer

• Competitive salary, generous paid time off policy, charity match program, Medical, Dental & Vision Plans, Parental Leave, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and more!

• Collaborative, team-oriented culture that embraces diversity.

• Professional development and unlimited growth opportunities

Who are we?

At Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT), we deliver actionable, objective insight that drives smarter decisions and stronger performance on an organization's mission-critical priorities. We've grown exponentially since our founding in 1979 and we're proud to have over 19,500 associates globally that support over 15,000 client enterprises in more than 100 countries.

What makes Gartner a great place to work?

Our teams are composed of individuals from different geographies, cultures, religions, ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and generations. We believe that a diversity of experiences makes us stronger-as individuals, as communities and as an organization. That's why we're recognized worldwide as a great place to work year after year. We've been recognized by Fortune as one of the World's Most Admired Companies, named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index and a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by the Disability Equality Index. Looking for a place to turn your big ideas into reality? Join #LifeAtGartner

What we offer:

Our people are our most valuable asset, so we invest in them from Day 1. When you join our team, you'll have access to a vast array of benefits to help you live your life well. These resources are designed to support your physical, financial and emotional well-being. We encourage continued personal and professional growth through ongoing learning and development opportunities. Our employee resource groups, charity match and volunteer programs keep you connected to your internal Gartner community and causes that matter to you.

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