Vice President, Research

Vice President, Research - REMOTE POSITION

JOB SUMMARY

GBTA is seeking a visionary research leader who can turn data into direction, transform research into industry impact, and guide our global insights strategy with clarity, purpose, and influence. The Vice President of Research, will serve as the strategic and operational leader of GBTA’s global research function. Reporting to the SVP of Marketing, this executive will shape and execute a research and insights agenda that reinforces GBTA’s position as the authoritative voice of the $1.57T business travel industry. The VP will oversee the development of foundational and custom market and industry research, drive commercial and member value, and act as a key thought leader across global markets.

The role manages a team of two direct reports, in addition to a network of economists, consultants and vendors and has direct P+L accountability for the division, matrixed with business development on sponsorship goals.

At GBTA, we put people first – we value collaboration, innovation, and adaptability along with global diversity, respect and empathy. As a member of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your skills and career in an entrepreneurial environment and make a meaningful impact on the industry and professionals we serve.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Define and lead a multi-year research strategy aligned to GBTA’s mission, sponsor and membership value, and revenue goals.
• Expand and set the vision and roadmap for foundational, syndicated, and private/custom research initiatives, focused on the business travel industry and parallel B2B, B2C, and B2B2C areas of market/market research interest.
• Partner with business development, learning, marketing, PR, advocacy, Foundation, regional leaders, and events teams to embed research across advocacy, sponsorships, products and regions.
• Anticipate and embrace the evolving role of AI in both research methodology and industry analysis, positioning GBTA at the forefront of innovation.

Team Building & Operations

• Lead and mentor a team of two direct reports and oversee management
  of external consultants, economists, research vendors, and freelancers.
• Develop operational processes for study development, methodologies, project management, and quality assurance.
• Cultivate a culture of curiosity—anticipating emerging industry questions and delivering timely, actionable insights that strike a chord with industry B2B, B2C, and B2B2C markets and the media which serves them.

Go-to-Market & Revenue Enablement

• Collaborate with marketing to launch integrated, multi-channel campaigns that drive engagement with flagship studies.
• Partnering with Marketing and PR/Communications to collaboratively develop packaging strategies that make research content and insights consumable across formats and channels (e.g., infographics, webinars, podcasts, executive briefs).
• Partner with business development to identify, position, and sell custom research opportunities to sponsors.

Other duties as assigned.

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REQUIREMENTS

• Masters degree in related field required, PhD preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in research, insights, or strategy roles, with 5+ years in a senior leadership capacity.
  
• Demonstrated success developing and commercializing research products in B2B or association environments.
• Expert in data analysis, industry forecasting, and adept in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
  
• Experience working globally or leading regionally nuanced programs.
  
• Executive presence, master story-teller based on research insights, and strong public speaking skills – who’s also able to translate those stories and insights to teach other GBTA leaders (including volunteer board members) to be able to present a nuanced story.
  
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to development, execution and cross-functional collaboration.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Prior industry work in travel, workforce mobility, economics or related industries.
• Experience scaling research functions in non-profit, trade association, or media/publishing settings
• Familiarity with tools like Qualtrics, Tableau, and AI.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Remote work environment.
• Prolonged periods sitting/remaining stationary at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to remain stationary and move for long periods of time, during events.
• Must be able to work a variety of hours in order to accommodate various meetings and events.
• GBTA welcomes all candidates and supports inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Up to 10% of travel to events and meetings; based on organizational needs.
• Possible travel to Annual Convention, GBTA related events, and meetings, as required.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US.

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 9,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.57 trillion global business travel and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy, and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information, visit www.gbta.org and www.gbtafoundation.org and follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

GBTA Team Values and Culture Statement:

• We recognize our people are our most valued asset, and treat ourselves and each other with kindness, authenticity, and empathy.
• We are curious, innovative and adaptable to a changing world.
• We embrace our global diversity and are committed to a culture where everyone feels welcomed and respected.
• We deliver results by working collaboratively and believe in the power of teamwork to drive long-term change and mutual success.
• We are driven to create a more sustainable future for both the planet and its people, and a balanced environment where work and life can coexist and thrive.

GBTA is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.