Research Programs and Market Insights Lead - Product Marketing

Job Summary
Job Summary
NetApp is looking for a Research Programs & Market Insights Lead to lead our primary research program. As a senior individual contributor, you will set the research agenda, direct a network of research partners, and ensure our studies are rigorous and tied to real business decisions. Your work will give us an evidence-based understanding of what customers are trying to accomplish, how they make decisions, and how they view the market.
This is a strategic, high-visibility role for someone who shapes the questions, oversees the work, and communicates what it means. You will brief senior leaders, lead through influence, and operate with autonomy in a fast-changing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Research Programs: Lead the primary research program for Product Marketing and Product, setting priorities and quality standards.
Lead Through Partners: Direct research agencies and panel providers to execute studies end to end, managing scope, methodology, and budget. Oversee workstreams and review design and findings for rigor and quality.
Understand Customers and Buyers: Lead research on customer needs, jobs to be done, buyer journeys, and decision-making, and bring findings together into a clear, customer-centered view of the market.
Market Sizing and Segmentation: Lead market sizing and segmentation research to inform how we understand the markets we serve and new developing markets.
Customer Decision Dynamics: Direct structured research, including win/loss, to understand how customers evaluate and choose, and turn the findings into insight for go-to-market and product teams.
Brief Senior Leaders: Present findings to senior and executive management in Product Marketing and Product Management with clear, decision-ready insight.
Drive Thought Leadership: Develop research perspectives on customer and market trends that inform strategy and messaging.
Lead Through Influence: Guide cross-functional initiatives, apply modern tools and AI to improve how research is done, and mentor colleagues.
Job Requirements
12+ years in market or customer research, strategic insights, or product marketing within an enterprise technology, cloud, or data infrastructure company.
Demonstrated expertise in primary research methodology (qualitative and quantitative), including jobs to be done, segmentation, buyer journey, and win/loss research.
Experience with market sizing and segmentation analysis.
Proven experience directing external research agencies and partners to high standards of quality.
Proven experience briefing and influencing senior and executive leaders, with strong executive presence.
Understanding of B2B data, AI, and cloud infrastructure technologies and go-to-market models.
Record of leading large, cross-functional programs through influence and operating effectively in ambiguity.
Exceptional written and verbal communication, with the ability to present findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Preferred
Advanced degree in a research, measurement, or quantitative discipline.Experience leading research programs at scale.Experience applying AI to research and synthesis.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Economics, or a related field.
Advanced degree preferred.
Compensation:
The target salary range for this position is $240,000- 268,000. The salary offered will be determined by the candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and education and may be outside of this range. Final compensation packages are competitive and in line with industry standards, reflecting a variety of factors, and include a comprehensive benefits package. This may cover Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement or Pension Plans, Paid Time Off (PTO), various Leave options, Performance-Based Incentives, employee stock purchase plan, and/or restricted stocks (RSU’s), with all offerings subject to regional variations and governed by local laws, regulations, and company policies. Benefits may vary by country and region, and further details will be provided as part of the recruitment process.