Governance Operations Lead at IDC – Needham, Massachusetts

About the Role & Team

International Data Corporation (IDC) is seeking a Governance Operations Lead to build, launch, and run the governance infrastructure for our Research & Data organization. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring IDC’s research governance framework — promoting best practice in how IDC produces and governs its market intelligence.

You will work closely with the VP of Business Operations – Process, Governance and Programs to help design it, stand up the governance bodies that run it, and drive the organizational change required to make it stick. The ideal candidate has a strong background in developing and implementing governance frameworks from scratch, facilitating and chairing governance committees, and influencing senior stakeholders without relying on positional authority.

This position reports to the VP of Business Operations – Process, Governance and Programs. It’s a fully remote role ideally based in Eastern or Central time zone.

Ideal Profile: We are looking for a builder in addition to a maintainer. The right candidate is energized by creating governance infrastructure that does not yet exist. They are comfortable with ambiguity, drive decisions through influence rather than positional authority, and bring a structured, consulting-oriented approach to complex problems. If your governance work has primarily been steady-state administration of an established function, this role may not be the right fit.

What This Role Is Not: This is not a solely cybersecurity governance, IT audit, or technical data governance role. However, leveraging best practices in these areas will be useful. IDC’s governance challenge is about how market research gets designed, reviewed, and delivered to clients consistently with aligned perspectives — not IT controls or regulatory compliance. A relevant professional qualification in governance or program management is a plus.

What You’ll Do

• Governance framework development and implementation:
• Design and maintain governance policies, standards, and procedures for IDC’s Research & Data organization
• Build the governance maturity model and roadmap: current state, target state, and the path between them
• Implement and monitor the effectiveness of the governance framework, with metrics that demonstrate impact
• Provide guidance and training on governance matters to staff and leaders across the organization
• Compliance and risk management:
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure compliance with relevant Research and Data business rules, design and delivery standards
• Identify and assess governance-related risks across the research lifecycle
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies; translate governance principles into practical processes the organization will follow
• Governance committee support:
• Support the launch, chair, and run IDC’s research governance committees — set agendas, manage stakeholder dynamics, drive contested decisions to closure, and track implementation
• Prepare committee materials including decision briefs, dashboards, and risk summaries for senior leadership
• Coordinate governance review cycles, charters, and documentation repositories
• Drive and monitor the implementation of committee decisions across responsible teams
• Stakeholder engagement:
• Engage with senior stakeholders on governance matters; build credibility through rigor and relationship, not through title or escalation
• Promote transparency and accountability across research design, delivery, and quality standards
• Manage relationships with governance bodies and cross-functional partners
• Influence decision-making across the organization without relying on positional authority

What You Bring

• 5+ years of relevant experience in governance, program management, policy development, or an adjacent function — required
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing governance frameworks from the ground up — not administering an existing one — required
• Governance committee facilitation experience — you have chaired them, not just attended them: set the agenda, managed the room, driven decisions to closure — required
• A builder’s orientation: you are energized by creating infrastructure that does not yet exist, comfortable with ambiguity, and effective at making progress without a fully defined playbook
• Prior consulting experience or a consulting disposition preferred — structured thinking, frameworks-based communication, comfort presenting to and pushing back on senior leaders
• Relevant technology market intelligence, research, or knowledge-production industry experience preferred
• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence without authority, support cross-functional decision-making, and manage relationships with senior governance bodies
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to quantify governance impact and report in terms business leaders care about
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; concise, structured, and credible at the executive level
• Relevant professional qualification in program management, governance, or risk management (e.g., PMP) is a plus

Why This Role Stands Out
At IDC, your work helps shape how the world understands technology and where it goes next. You collaborate with curious, high-caliber colleagues who value rigor, integrity, and shared success. As the premier global provider of trusted technology intelligence, IDC equips business and technology leaders with the evidence they need to make confident decisions. Our insights inform strategy, investment, and innovation across industries and regions.

Recognized by IIAR as Analyst Firm of the Year for five consecutive years, IDC sets the standard for credibility and impact. With more than 1,000 analysts worldwide and a truly global perspective, we combine deep expertise with practical relevance. Here, your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your contributions provide the insights leaders rely on every day. It is meaningful work, backed by a culture that supports growth, collaboration, and long-term career development with a globally respected brand.

What We Offer

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 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. Salary and incentive structures are determined through a rigorous process that considers experience, education, certifications, role-specific requirements, internal equity, and verified U.S. market data from an independent third-party partner.

The expected total annual compensation, depending on location and experience, is between $95,000 – $125,000, 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.

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