Principal Analyst, Enterprise Architecture

Forrester Research is seeking a Principal Analyst to be a critical member of the research team responsible for leading our Enterprise Solutions Architecture Practice, part of our Technology Architecture & Delivery Research Group. The practice serves CIOs, CTOs and IT Leaders and Practitioners, helping them achieve high performance – the ability to deliver great business results through technology. The Principal Analyst delivers research that encompasses enterprise architecture practice, strategy, portfolio, key platforms, vendors and trends, and fosters a culture of collaboration across our Research, Sales, Product and Customer Success teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Enterprise Solutions Architecture practice area, working across Forrester research teams, including the Technology Strategy and Executive Partner teams as well as Sales and Product to develop a complete research portfolio that drives customer delight and revenue.
• Develop a deep understanding of what Forrester clients require to be successful as technology executives and leaders.
• Establish an industry presence as an influential speaker and thinker; build relationships with journalists who cover the sector; participate in vendor briefings and field press inquiries as necessary.
• Conduct primary research into architecture strategy, solutions architecture, key technology platforms, governance and risk management, financial and cost optimization, and performance management including metrics, KPIs, benchmarks and more.
• Use this research to help clients navigate challenges by providing insights on the future of solutions architecture, cost optimization, investment prioritization, and long‑term workplace strategy.
• Conduct deep analysis of IT decision‑maker challenges and preferences balanced with employee preferences and expectations.
• Create high‑quality, actionable, analytically deep and fact‑based research content throughout the year, including reports, tools, webinars, videos, blogs, podcasts, infographics and other intellectual property.
• Research, write and create approximately 8 to 12 research projects per year.
• Build visibility for research and contribute to Forrester client communities.
• Drive and lead key Forrester Waves and Landscape reporting for the practice and adjacent areas.
• Consult with clients to apply Forrester’s research in the context of their specific business environment and help solve their problems through inquiry, guidance, advisory and consulting engagements.
• Present at Forrester-sponsored and industry‑related events and deliver client webinars.
• Co‑lead the global Forrester Enterprise Architecture forum and award program.
• Contribute to the State of Modern Technology Operations survey, a key adjacent area.
• Support business development and prospect conversations as arranged by Forrester’s account leadership teams.
• Foster a leadership style that drives a culture of cross‑team collaboration, mentorship, integrity and relentless positive pursuits.
• Potential to grow into a VP Principal Analyst role for a very driven individual who brings new innovations to Forrester and to our clients and captures revenue and client engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in a mix of roles such as director‑level and above practitioner, enterprise architect, principal sales engineer, principal solutions architect, managing consultant, Director/Manager of Sales Engineering, or research analyst in an industry vertical or technology services.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as an advisor to senior management and C‑level clients.
• Superior client‑facing communication, listening, critical thinking and collaboration skills with researchers, subject‑matter experts and client leaders.
• Solid technical enterprise architecture, solutions architecture and technology experience as a leader, founded in engineering and architecture backgrounds, with key platforms such as Cloud, Infrastructure, AI, Operating Systems, Security and additional technology platforms.
• Practitioner experiences in Financial Services, Technology Services or another key industry vertical are preferred, including the ability to craft high‑level architecture to illustrate complex topics and research coverage.
• Ability to leverage prevailing AI topics and technologies as they relate to the practice of EA as well as AI tools and solutions architecture.
• Ability to engage technology leaders across Enterprise Architecture, IT Delivery and Operations.
• Strong knowledge of the issues and challenges that technology executives and leaders face and expertise in the broad implications of current and emerging technology markets, economics, labor and econometrics.
• Ability to take complex, disparate ideas and distill them into simple, provocative concepts; willingness to take a stand on outcomes with clients, vendors, press and competition.
• A strong record of academic achievement.
• Superior analytical, writing, editing and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel 30% of the time or more.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and perspectives.