Head, SMB Methodology & Data

Role Description

We're looking for a senior small business expert to lead how we define, collect and assess data within Forbes Advisor's SMB vertical. As Head, SMB Methodology & Data, you'll own the strategic vision and execution for Forbes Advisor's SMB methodologies and data products spanning business formation, accounting, payroll, payments, communications, HR and business operations software. You'll work cross-functionally to turn complex business products, operational workflows, regulations and customer needs into clear, defensible scoring frameworks and structured datasets. This is a hands-on strategy and leadership role: part SME, part architect of how our SMB rankings and data products work and evolve.

Responsibilities

• Own SMB methodology strategy across formation, banking, accounting, payroll, payments, communications, HR, lending and business operations software.
• Define clear, defensible evaluation frameworks that reflect SMB user needs, market realities and update cadence.
• Shape proprietary SMB metrics and structured datasets for rankings, editorial use and potential data products.
• Define research and data collection requirements; partner with testing, data and research teams to ensure evidence quality.
• Establish quality standards for SMB methodologies, scoring models, documentation and analyst work.
• Mentor analysts and serve as the internal SME for SMB market dynamics, methodology design, and data quality.
• Partner with editorial, SEO, product, commercial, testing and data teams to translate methodology into credible rankings and scalable data products.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in SMB products, services, SaaS, fintech, operations, consulting, analytics, product management or related fields.
• Deep understanding of how small businesses evaluate, buy and use products or services to start, operate and grow.
• Experience building or overseeing analytical frameworks, rating systems, benchmarking programs, structured evaluations or data products.
• Strong ability to translate complex business, financial, operational or technical concepts into clear guidance for non-experts.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and guide work across editorial, product, commercial, analytics, research or testing teams.

Requirements

• Experience at a review site, marketplace, ratings organization, fintech, SaaS provider, business services company or SMB data provider.
• Familiarity with model governance, validation, QA or audit processes for scoring/rating systems.
• Experience using testing, surveys, secret shopping, customer research or market research in methodology or decision-making frameworks.
• Exposure to proprietary datasets, scoring engines, commercial data products or large-scale comparative product evaluations.

Benefits

• Forbes Advisor provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
• This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.