Forrester UK
07/06/2026
Full time
About This Role Forrester Research is seeking a Principal Analyst to be a critical member of the research team responsible for leading our Enterprise Solutions Architecture Practice, part of our Technology Architecture & Delivery Research Group. The practice serves CIOs, CTOs and IT Leaders and Practitioners, helping them achieve high performance - the ability to deliver great business results through technology. The Principal Analyst delivers research that encompasses enterprise architecture practice, strategy, portfolio, key platforms, vendors and trends, and fosters a culture of collaboration across our Research, Sales, Product and Customer Success teams. Responsibilities Lead the Enterprise Solutions Architecture practice area, working across Forrester research teams, including the Technology Strategy and Executive Partner teams as well as Sales and Product to develop a complete research portfolio that drives customer delight and revenue. Develop a deep understanding of what Forrester clients require to be successful as technology executives and leaders. Establish an industry presence as an influential speaker and thinker; build relationships with journalists who cover the sector; participate in vendor briefings and field press inquiries as necessary. Conduct primary research into architecture strategy, solutions architecture, key technology platforms, governance and risk management, financial and cost optimization, and performance management including metrics, KPIs, benchmarks and more. Use this research to help clients navigate challenges by providing insights on the future of solutions architecture, cost optimization, investment prioritization, and long term workplace strategy. Conduct deep analysis of IT decision maker challenges and preferences balanced with employee preferences and expectations. Create high quality, actionable, analytically deep and fact based research content throughout the year, including reports, tools, webinars, videos, blogs, podcasts, infographics and other intellectual property. Research, write and create approximately 8 to 12 research projects per year. Build visibility for research and contribute to Forrester client communities. Drive and lead key Forrester Waves and Landscape reporting for the practice and adjacent areas. Consult with clients to apply Forrester's research in the context of their specific business environment and help solve their problems through inquiry, guidance, advisory and consulting engagements. Present at Forrester-sponsored and industry related events and deliver client webinars. Co lead the global Forrester Enterprise Architecture forum and award program. Contribute to the State of Modern Technology Operations survey, a key adjacent area. Support business development and prospect conversations as arranged by Forrester's account leadership teams. Foster a leadership style that drives a culture of cross team collaboration, mentorship, integrity and relentless positive pursuits. Potential to grow into a VP Principal Analyst role for a very driven individual who brings new innovations to Forrester and to our clients and captures revenue and client engagement. Qualifications Experience in a mix of roles such as director level and above practitioner, enterprise architect, principal sales engineer, principal solutions architect, managing consultant, Director/Manager of Sales Engineering, or research analyst in an industry vertical or technology services. Demonstrated ability to serve as an advisor to senior management and C level clients. Superior client facing communication, listening, critical thinking and collaboration skills with researchers, subject matter experts and client leaders. Solid technical enterprise architecture, solutions architecture and technology experience as a leader, founded in engineering and architecture backgrounds, with key platforms such as Cloud, Infrastructure, AI, Operating Systems, Security and additional technology platforms. Practitioner experiences in Financial Services, Technology Services or another key industry vertical are preferred, including the ability to craft high level architecture to illustrate complex topics and research coverage. Ability to leverage prevailing AI topics and technologies as they relate to the practice of EA as well as AI tools and solutions architecture. Ability to engage technology leaders across Enterprise Architecture, IT Delivery and Operations. Strong knowledge of the issues and challenges that technology executives and leaders face and expertise in the broad implications of current and emerging technology markets, economics, labor and econometrics. Ability to take complex, disparate ideas and distill them into simple, provocative concepts; willingness to take a stand on outcomes with clients, vendors, press and competition. A strong record of academic achievement. Superior analytical, writing, editing and presentation skills. Ability to travel 30% of the time or more. We welcome people from all backgrounds and perspectives.