Director, Research and Development | Remote, USA

This position will be fully remote and can be hired anywhere in the continental U.S 

As part of the Client Advisory Team, the Director of Research and Development will be responsible for working with the SVP of Client Advisory and the VP of Strategic Projects and Innovation to help develop an innovation strategy and vision for Optiv's market facing offerings and partnerships. This includes development of Optiv Market System through ownership of the reference architecture and taxonomy, partner solution research and testing, and analysis of the changing security market and landscape to locate emerging technologies and services. Additionally, they will help with goal setting, discussing options, and analyzing risks, and ensure that the research strategy is aligned with overall corporate and business objectives as indicated by published priorities.

The Director of R&D will take ownership for all data, research activity and relationships within their assigned topics. Frequent interaction with internal and external stakeholders and a deep understanding of market drivers and activity is a critical requirement to ensure the continuous improvement of data, relationships, revenue, and retention.

How you’ll make an impact:
•    Ownership of Optiv Market System, including the governance of the taxonomy, the underlying reference architecture, and its alignment to the security landscape. This includes but is not limited to the Threat Landscape, Security Frameworks, Partner Alignment, and Optiv’s Services Offerings alignments.
•    Coordinates thought leadership requests and concepts from the Revenue Organization to identify focus and themes to help drive GTM plans and programs. Building and providing through leadership content to the field to for use during client pursuit opportunities.
•    Conduct and understand the emerging security technologies landscape, helping identify solutions and partnerships that Optiv should be investing resources in and prioritizing. Additionally collaborating with cross functional teams to develop Optiv Solution offerings built on emerging technologies.
•    Provide at least quarterly public facing technology research that highlights Optiv’s analytical outcome-based research, use cases, thoughts, and opinions on technology in Cyber Security.
•    Ensure the information resources of each market/region are correctly managed so that all data sources are researched, and the best method of contact is achieved. Drive exacting standards to ensure all information is accurately captured, input and published in a timely manner.
•    Plan improvements to the coverage, accuracy and depth of market/region data and encourage the application of innovative research approaches. Includes meaningful telephone interaction, relationship building, objection handling, effective questioning, listening, probing, building rapport, tracking relevant publications, and sharing information.
•    Provide ongoing analysis of competing and emerging technologies within the security technology ecosystem. Leverage this analysis to help drive Optiv’s GTM motions, included supporting our partner strategy and services development. Testing solutions within the Optiv Lab environment to provide internal reporting on efficacy of solutions.
•    Provide market expertise to Business units including the Revenue Organizations, which consists of Sales, Client Advisory, Partner Solutions, and Services to assist them in developing their respective strategies. Use stakeholder feedback to inform changes, improvements, and adjustments to the overall technology strategy.
•    Meet with current and potential customers to demonstrate the company's credentials at solving problems with both today’s technical solutions as well as discussing future technology trends and applications.
•    Provide thought leadership material around overall Cyber Security space and Optiv’s role in Cyber Security through public speaking, conferences, and media.
•    Collaborate with key partners to align research initiatives that align with forward looking roadmap items that create an opportunity for Optiv to differentiate or establish unique value in the market.
•    Work with Public Cloud Providers and Marketplace partners to ideate around innovative solution ideas that highlight Optiv’s unique value proposition.
•    Contributes to the development of Optiv’s knowledge management structure and systems.

What we’re looking for:
•    Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
•    7-10 years’ experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, preferably in technology or security.
•    Strong background and application of R&D coupled with product development, product marketing and/or product management preferred
•    Previous public speaking experience at large conferences or events
•    Examples of original content creation
•    Strong understanding of cybersecurity, and/or R&D principles.
•    Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
•    Strong technical experience in deployment managing and/or evaluating IT and Cyber Security Solutions
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What you can expect from Optiv

• A company committed to championing Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion through our Employee Resource Groups.
• Work/life balance
• Professional training resources
• Creative problem-solving and the ability to tackle unique, complex projects
• Volunteer Opportunities. “Optiv Chips In” encourages employees to volunteer and engage with their teams and communities.
• The ability and technology necessary to productively work remotely/from home (where applicable)

EEO Statement

Optiv is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age 40 and over, marital status, genetic information, national origin, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

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