Director of Research

The security industry is a rapidly expanding sector of the U.S. and global economy, with a total economic impact of $100 billion and supporting over 2 million jobs nationwide in the United States alone. The Security Industry Association (SIA) represents more than 1700 member companies dedicated to keeping millions of people and critical infrastructure safe, from K-12 schools to commercial buildings, airports, health care facilities, data centers, and places of worship.

With decades of credibility as an authoritative voice for the industry, SIA has identified an opportunity to launch a new strategic function that produces in-depth industry insights and market analysis tailored to the issues and trends that matter most to members and the industry. As Director of Research, you will build the function from the ground up and lead cutting-edge research initiatives that deliver tangible value throughout the security ecosystem, position SIA as a leading provider of security market business intelligence, and contribute to revenue growth.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will establish the operating model for the research function and initially serve as its lead market intelligence and research professional, with plans to hire a Research Manager in the near term to support execution. This is a high-visibility, collaborative role with a dual focus: building strategic industry relationships and producing high-value thought leadership, benchmarking studies, trend analyses, vertical market reports, and other research publications.

You will partner with the member-led Research Committee to shape SIA's annual research agenda, identify the issues most important to industry leaders, and drive participation in research initiatives that generate credible, actionable insights for the security market. You will establish the research methods, data governance standards, and technology needed to support the function. You will also lead the development of SIA's inaugural portfolio of research publications.

In partnership with SIA Member Services, you will support the promotion and sale of these offerings and, over time, lead custom research initiatives tailored to specific requests from member and non-member companies.

Success will be measured by your ability to:

• Build a credible, high-quality research function with tested and documented methods, processes, and standards.
• Establish secure systems for collecting, storing, and organizing data for reliable analysis and custom reporting.
• Engage SIA members and other industry leaders in research initiatives and data-sharing efforts. Develop high-value research publications that address industry needs, building toward an annual portfolio of new research and publications.

• This role offers a hybrid work environment with two days each week in our Silver Spring, MD, office. Travel up to 20% is required to attend events and meetings.
• The budgeted salary range for this position is $150-170K with an outstanding benefits package including 20 days of annual leave plus paid holidays; sick, bereavement, and parental leave; medical and dental insurance with an FSA option; life and short- and long-term disability coverage; a 401(k) with 6% employer contribution; cell phone and transit reimbursement, and more.

• Build SIA's research function from the ground up. Define the operating model and establish standards for research design, sampling, data collection, analysis, reporting, data integrity, and confidentiality.
• Develop and execute the annual research agenda in partnership with the member-led Research Committee. Identify priorities, evaluate new opportunities, balance competing interests, and build consensus around program direction.
• Build trusted relationships with SIA members and other industry leaders to identify research needs, validate research priorities, and secure broad participation in surveys, interviews, focus groups, benchmarking studies, and data-sharing initiatives.
• Lead all phases of quantitative and qualitative research, including study design, survey development, interviews, focus groups, data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation, and publication.
• Oversee data collection to support representative participation, data quality, and reliable analysis.
• Translate complex findings into actionable insights through thought leadership, benchmarking studies, trend analyses, vertical market reports, and…