Research Content Development Associate Director (Remote)

Associate Director, Cognizant Research

Position summary:

As a Director in the Cognizant Research team, you’ll be instrumental in shaping the company’s intellectual agenda. This senior-level position requires extensive research experience, and the ability to manage complex research projects and guide junior researchers. You will be a thought partner for the research leadership team, helping us make the right investments to maintain and enhance our position as the leading thought leadership organization in the industry.

Reporting to the head of the Cognizant Research team, this role will be instrumental in ensuring Cognizant Research delivers its cornerstone research initiatives including developing innovative methodologies and managing research projects from ideation to delivery. In addition to this, the candidate will work with partners in marketing and the business to run individual research projects to support their strategic initiatives.

A crucial part of the role requires distilling complex technological concepts into actionable insights for business and technology leaders—resulting in keeping Cognizant a forward-thinking organization, abreast or ahead of the most important trends. With a strong emphasis on emotional intelligence, engagement and storytelling, the Director must be adept at thinking strategically while navigating high-stakes environments and delivering under tight timelines.

As the team continues to evolve, this role will be a vital leadership position in India—with the candidate providing mentoring and coaching support to more junior colleagues as the team continues to expand.

Key responsibilities:

Research and content development

• Shape and evolve our research agenda, working with internal team members and external stakeholders to recommend, select, and refine topics of greatest impact.

• Work with the research team and external partners to hone methodologies to ensure the gathering of compelling data and insights.

• Design surveys and data-gathering initiatives to understand the impact of emerging technologies and socioeconomic trends on businesses.

• Develop insights by mining proprietary primary data and secondary sources to create well-founded thinking that brings new ideas to our audiences.

• Write comprehensive reports, blogs, and articles to disseminate findings and perspectives in close collaboration with subject matter experts, writers, and editors.

• Become the face of Cognizant Research in the region—working to enhance the capabilities and reputation of the organization.

• Supervise, coach, and mentor junior analysts in India and across the research organization.

Client and stakeholder engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with internal subject matter experts in industry, consulting, marketing and senior leadership to foster collaborative research and thought leadership.

• Liaise with senior stakeholders and drive their research and knowledge agenda through Cognizant Research’s corporate programs. Collaborate with various business units and teams to align research endeavors with Cognizant’s strategic objectives.

• Deepen existing networks for associate engagement with Cognizant Research programs and forge new ones.

• Share learnings with business teams and clients via presentations and videos.

• Share learnings with marketing, formally and informally, to uplevel activities from strategy through execution.

• Become a regional point of expertise for the thought leadership and research organization.

Internal strategy and collaboration

• Engage in internal strategy discussions to ensure alignment with Cognizant’s broader objectives.

• Help Cognizant define its forward-looking strategy, making it clear to clients that we are the go-to partner for strategic and innovative solutions.

• Provide robust and thoughtful guidance to new research proposals—to ensure key pieces of research reach the highest quality standards; alongside supervising the analysis of more junior team members to uplevel their thinking and ensure accuracy.

• Collaborate with the editorial team and across integrated marketing to create exceptional content that resonates with and reaches stakeholders.

The ideal candidate:

• Brings 10-15 years of corporate business experience, with 3-5 years experience in fields such as, but not limited to, industry analyst, technology consulting, market research, corporate or brand strategy.

• Experience working in global commerce centers outside of India would be a plus.

• Has deep curiosity about technology and business.

• Is committed to continuous learning and staying ahead of industry trends and shifts.

• Is data and analytically-minded, approaching all work from this foundation.

• A strong quantitative background, demonstrating a track-record of managing complex data management and analysis initiatives.

• Is emotionally intelligent, with a knack for engaging diverse audiences and building strong relationships.

• Is a great verbal and written communicator, able to distill complex ideas into compelling presentations and other storytelling touchpoints.

• Is proficient at managing both internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership; subject-matter experts; brand, content and marketing strategists; and internal and external communicators.

• Is a creative, high-functioning problem-solver able to keep projects moving at top speed, even in challenging and ambiguous circumstances

• Values collaboration and treats people with respect, both within and outside Cognizant.

• Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment by responding to changing requirements with strategic solutions.

• Is highly effective at working remotely, collaborating closely with team members
  
  around the world, thinking proactively and adhering to deadlines.

• Is proficient in all Microsoft Office tools and software.

• BS/BA degree