IDC, a technology research and advisory company, is looking to grow its network of Executive Advisors. Executive Advisors provide business aligned and business driven technology insights. This role requires understanding and experience in enterprise technologies and their role in digital transforming organizations.

IDC Executive Advisory is a subscription service offered to client companies in Europe, granting them access to tech buyer research and premier Executive Advisory services. This role will support up to twelve companies licensed technology leaders (with the potential for multiple clients in each supported organization). The job serves Europe and the Middle East. Potential clients are institutions and medium to large enterprises across Europe and the Middle East.

The individual in this role serves as a direct advisor and facilitator for senior technology decision makers in both public and private sector organizations on the leverage and implications of information technology. They assess client business priorities to advise on technology options and solutions and deliver personalized advice to address these priorities. Additionally, they develop and conduct briefings and workshops, acting as an enterprise technology subject matter expert or facilitator as needed. The role involves answering client inquiries synthesized from the IDC research base and personal experience. Building and maintaining strong professional relationships with clients through regular meetings and workshops is crucial. The individual also helps clients interpret IDC's research in the context of their organization and collaborates with IDC subject matter experts to address client issues effectively.

Clients supported by Executive Advisors require a strong level of continuity and commitment from an individual advisor to support them over an extended period. We expect that a single client will be able to connect with their Executive Advisor at any time and work with them following the natural cadence of the client’s priorities.

• Serving as a direct advisor and facilitator for senior decision-makers on enterprise technologies..
• Assessing client business priorities to advise on technology options and solutions
• Delivering personalized technology-based advice to senior decision-makers based on assessed priorities.
• Developing and conducting briefings and workshops, functioning as a subject matter expert or facilitator as necessary.
• Providing synthesized answers to client inquiries using IDC's IT vendor and tech buyer research and personal experience, fostering strong professional relationships through regular meetings and workshops.
• Collaborative experience with IDC technology research analysts to effectively address client issues.
• Assisting clients in interpreting IDC's research within the context of their organization.
• Building strong professional relationships with clients through regular meetings, briefings, workshops, team building exercises, etc.
• Building strong working relationships with IDC subject matter experts and understand IDC methodologies to best address client issues and outcomes.

• Concrete understanding and experience with enterprise-level technology and applying it to business challenges
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a CIO role, senior ICT decision-maker position, or as a CIO advisor, with recent advisory experience including mentoring, coaching, and facilitating with other senior ICT decision-makers. Demonstrated experience working on or with clients on developing and aligning ICT strategy.
• Experience assisting IT organizations to comprehend the challenges associated with achieving success in the CIO role. This includes experience in ICT leadership, managing the balance between legacy and change, organizational and cultural issues, facilitating discussions between and within organizational levels (up and down), and constructing business cases with a focus on business alignment, etc.
• An understanding of the relationship between business and organizational processes and the (changing) role of ICT and the challenges of aligning business and ICT strategies
• An understanding of technological innovation and the process of monitoring the adoption of innovative technologies.
• Proven track record in assessing client priorities, creating proactive service plans, and delivering personalized advice to address identified priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and conducting briefings and workshops, serving as a subject matter expert or facilitator as required.
• Proficiency in providing synthesized answers utilizing multiple data sets and personal experience.
• Strong background in building and maintaining professional relationships with clients through regular meetings and workshops.

Skills:

• Ability to  translate technology capabilities to enable business requirements.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, serving as a trusted sounding board and personal advisor for senior ICT leaders.
• Robust solution-building capabilities derived from accurate assessment of client situations, utilizing IDC's research and subject-matter expertise to achieve desired outcomes.
• Effective collaboration in a dynamic and ever-changing environment, managing multiple clients seamlessly.
• Proficient in writing, presentation, and facilitation, showcasing strong communication skills.
• Demonstrated sales and business development abilities to support contact renewals and identify new opportunities.
• Capable of working independently, adept at tracking responsibilities, comfortable collaborating with matrixed partners, and proficient in setting and maintaining agendas.
• Proficient in the English language. Proficiency in additional languages, particularly French, German, and Arabic are a plus.

What we offer: 

• A full-time, permanent position
• A competitive compensation and benefit package (28 days of holidays in addition to bank holidays, group personal pension scheme, life insurance, annual recognition awards, membership with WPA for you and your spouse, budget for personal courses and other benefits)
• A position in a highly professional and respected firm, where initiative leading to results are rewarded
• You will become part of a dynamic, international trained network with a driven and collaborative culture
• Flexible working hours and home office should you want it (or hybrid mode or full-office mode, up to you)