Global Innovation and Industry Research Lead

About Us

Accenture is a leading partner to the world’s major cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, and Google. Our $3 billion investment in Accenture Cloud First demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients and offers significant growth opportunities. The Cloud First group comprises over 70,000 cloud professionals delivering integrated cloud capabilities across data, edge, infrastructure, applications, and deep industry expertise to drive client success in the cloud. We combine learning and talent development, cloud change management, and cloud-ready operating models with a commitment to responsible business practices, including security, data privacy, AI ethics, sustainability, and compliance.

About The Accenture Google Cloud Business Group (AGBG)

The Accenture Google Business Group (AGBG) is a team of innovators building advanced cloud-native solutions. As part of Accenture’s Cloud First initiative, we help clients navigate their most significant transformations by delivering the promise of technology and human ingenuity. We are looking for individuals passionate about solving complex problems and shaping the future of technology.

You Are

You will serve as the strategic intelligence and response nerve center for the Accenture Google Business Group (AGBG). This leadership role is responsible for shaping market perception of our partnership and equipping our leadership and sales teams with critical insights to outmaneuver competitors.

The Work

You will own the relationship with the industry analyst community and lead competitive intelligence efforts, ensuring the AGBG's narrative is recognized as industry-leading. Your mission is to connect market perception, competitive threats, and our unique value proposition to establish the AGBG as the undisputed leader in Google Cloud transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Industry Analyst Relations & Strategic Positioning: Own and orchestrate global relationships with industry analysts (Gartner, Forrester, IDC, Everest Group). Develop and execute a proactive briefing strategy to ensure analysts understand the AGBG's vision, offerings, and successes. Aim to improve leadership positions in key analyst reports (e.g., Magic Quadrants, Waves) for third-party validation that supports sales efforts.
• Competitive Intelligence & Rapid Response: Build and operate a competitive intelligence function focused on the cloud services market. Track and analyze strategies, partnerships, and go-to-market motions of Global System Integrators (GSIs) concerning major cloud platforms. Synthesize intelligence into actionable insights, create competitive battlecards, and develop rapid-response messaging to counter competitor claims. Provide expert information to AGBG leadership and client teams to win in competitive situations.
• Strategic Messaging and Narrative Development: Architect the AGBG's core narrative. Collaborate with executive leadership, marketing, and solution leads to translate strategy and capabilities into clear, compelling, evidence-based messaging. Weave together customer proof points, analyst validation, and competitive differentiation into a powerful story for clients, partners, and internal stakeholders. Craft foundational messaging for key offerings and strategic content for high-stakes presentations.
• Internal Strategic Advisory: Serve as a trusted advisor to the AGBG executive leadership team. Provide regular, unvarnished briefings on market perception, competitive landscape shifts, and strategic blind spots. Synthesize intelligence from analysts, win/loss reports, and market research to offer an objective, outside-in perspective, ensuring the partnership's strategy is grounded in market reality and positioned for maximum impact and growth.

Travel may be required for this role, varying from 0 to 100% based on business needs and client requirements.

Here's What You Need

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent work experience (minimum 12 years). Associate’s degree requires a minimum of 6 years of work experience.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in a senior role within competitive intelligence, analyst relations, product marketing, or corporate strategy at a large enterprise technology company or global system integrator.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience and deep familiarity with the cloud computing ecosystem (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and the IT services market.

Professional Skills Requirements

• Proven experience managing relationships with top-tier industry analyst firms and a demonstrable track record of influencing analyst research and reports.
• Exceptional writing, communication, and presentation skills, with a talent for simplifying complex topics into powerful, persuasive messages.

Bonus Points if you have

• MBA or Master's degree.
• Pre-existing, strong relationships with key industry analysts at firms like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC who cover cloud services and digital transformation.
• Direct experience working within or for a major cloud provider (Google Cloud, AWS, Azure) or a global system integrator in a strategic alliance or partnership role.
• Experience in a