Vice President, Worldwide Channels and Alliances

Role Description

IDC is seeking a Vice President, Worldwide Channels, Partners, and Ecosystem Research to lead one of IDC’s most strategically vital global coverage areas. In this role, you will lead the team responsible for the research agenda and thought leadership for IDC’s worldwide channels, ecosystems and alliances program, spanning direct channel coverage, partner ecosystems, Distribution, ISV and GSI partnerships, and broader go-to-market alliance strategies. You will lead a globally distributed team of analysts, setting the intellectual direction of the practice while driving revenue growth across syndicated research, custom advisory, data products (Distribution Tracker) and executive events.

Working at the intersection of technology industry dynamics and vendor strategy, you will serve as IDC’s primary voice on channel and ecosystem transformation, engaging with C-suite clients, shaping IDC’s public agenda, and ensuring the practice delivers measurable impact for customers and IDC alike. The ideal candidate is a credible thought leader who combines deep domain expertise in technology vendor channels, partner ecosystems, or alliance strategy with proven commercial leadership and the organizational skills to manage and develop a high-performing global team.

This role requires candidates to be based in the Pacific or Mountain time zone and approximately 25% global travel, including California, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific markets.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in technology industry research, channel strategy, partner management, and/or a closely related field.
• Prior experience with an analyst firm, strategy consulting organization, or a vendor/distributor channel leadership role.
• Demonstrated track record of building or growing a research or advisory practice.
• Experience managing globally distributed, cross-cultural teams.
• Proven revenue ownership across subscription research, advisory retainers, or custom engagements.
• Comfortable in public speaking, media engagement, and executive advisory settings.
• Familiarity with the competitive research landscape, including Gartner, Forrester, 451 Research, and Canalys, is a plus.

Requirements

• Domain Expertise: Substantive, practitioner-level knowledge of the IT channel and partner ecosystem landscape.
• Research and Analytical Leadership: Experience leading a research function, managing an analyst team, or directing a large-scale market intelligence practice.
• Commercial Acumen and Revenue Ownership: Genuine track record of revenue accountability and managing client relationships at the executive level.
• Global Team Leadership: Experience leading global or regional teams, ideally in matrixed organizations.
• Executive Communication and Public Presence: Strong written and verbal communication skills; confident public speaker.
• Strategic and Consultative Mindset: Experience advising technology vendors or channel-focused organizations on go-to-market strategy.
• Collaborative and Cross-Functional Orientation: Ability to build strong working relationships across IDC’s research practices.
• Adaptability and Innovation: Curiosity and comfort with ambiguity; track record of evolving coverage as markets shift.

Benefits

• 15 vacation days (prorated based on start date)
• 12 company-paid holidays
• 6 paid sick days (prorated based on start date; may vary by state)
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 2 floating holidays (prorated based on start date)
• 1 volunteer day
• 401(k) company match (IDC matches 3% on the first 6% of employee contributions)
• Company-paid short-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid parental leave

Compensation Transparency

At IDC, we are committed to fair and equitable pay practices. Employees are compensated equitably for their work, aligned with their skills and experience. The expected total annual compensation, depending on location and experience, is between $190,000 – $230,000, inclusive of base salary and variable compensation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IDC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. Employment eligibility verification required. We participate in E-Verify.