Research Director, Enterprise Communication Services

Role Overview

• Design and manage comprehensive market research programs covering U.S. and global telecommunications services, connectivity products, and emerging technology trends.
• Develop and maintain quantitative demand-side models and revenue forecasts across wireline, wavelength, dark fiber, SD-WAN, and cloud-connected network services.
• Analyze Service Provider transformation dynamics, business model evolution, segment economics, and competitive positioning.
• Produce timely market sizing, share analysis, and five-year forecasts across relevant technology and service categories.
• Author high-quality IDC research documents—Market Perspectives, Market Forecasts, Vendor Profiles, and IDC Futurescape reports.
• Present findings at IDC conferences, Directions events, and major industry forums; serve as an IDC media spokesperson on telecom topics.
• Develop annual predictions and multi-year outlook documents that shape IDC clients' strategic planning.
• Conduct executive-level advisory sessions, vendor briefings, and custom consulting engagements for Service Providers, enterprises, and technology vendors.
• Collaborate with IDC sales teams to identify and convert custom research and consulting opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with C-suite stakeholders at major carriers, hyperscalers, and network equipment vendors.
• Work closely with IDC's global research community—including regional analysts and technology coverage groups—to produce integrated, cross-geography insights.
• Identify emerging research opportunities and help define the multi-year research roadmap for Telecom practice.
• Mentor junior analysts and contribute to the professional development of the broader team.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in telecommunications market research, strategy consulting, or a senior role within a telecom operator, network vendor, or analyst firm.
• Deep subject-matter expertise across U.S. and global telecom services: wireline (Ethernet, MPLS, IP VPN), wavelength/optical, dark fiber, and cloud connectivity.
• Proven ability to build market models, demand forecasts, and competitive analysis frameworks for complex, multi-billion-dollar markets.
• Strong understanding of Service Provider economics, wholesale/retail market structures, and enterprise demand drivers for connectivity.
• Track record of publishing credible, high-impact research and presenting to senior-level audiences.
• Exceptional writing, data storytelling, and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Economics, Engineering, Business, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Experience covering cloud datacenter interconnect, colocation, and hyperscaler network infrastructure trends preferred.
• Familiarity with regulatory and policy dynamics shaping the U.S. telecom landscape (FCC, broadband policy, Open Access) preferred.
• Prior experience at a major analyst firm (IDC, Gartner, Forrester, Heavy Reading, Dell'Oro, etc.) or top-tier strategy consultancy preferred.
• Established network of industry contacts at Tier 1/Tier 2 carriers, dark fiber operators, and network technology vendors preferred.
• Experience with quantitative modeling tools (Excel, Python, R) and data visualization platforms preferred.

Tech Stack

• Cloud
• Python

Benefits

• 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