Director Analyst, Direct Spend Procurement Technology

About the Role

This position sits within Gartner’s Business and Technology Insights group and is focused on producing practical, forward-looking guidance for enterprise leaders. As a Director Analyst, you will bring research depth, market perspective, and strong analytical judgment to help clients make better decisions and move critical initiatives ahead. The role combines thought leadership, client advisory work, and support for Gartner’s broader research and sales efforts.

Focus Areas

• Direct procurement technologies, including source-to-pay and procure-to-pay suites, supplier risk tools, multitier visibility, supplier management, vendor-managed inventory, supplier collaboration, commodity risk trading platforms, and should-cost modeling
• Technology selection for direct spend procurement
• Building procurement technology strategy, vision, and digital roadmaps
• Modernizing procurement capabilities through digital transformation
• Current and emerging AI use cases in direct procurement and supplier risk management
• Planning and supporting implementation of procurement and supplier-risk solutions within a wider supply chain technology strategy
• Measuring and maximizing return on investment from procurement technology, including AI investments

Key Responsibilities

• Produce original, high-impact insights that are useful, challenging, and grounded in evidence
• Generate new ideas and practical recommendations that help clients act quickly and effectively
• Investigate client challenges in depth, identify root causes, and reframe the problem to guide better strategy
• Contribute to and shape insight positions across the analyst team
• Bring independent viewpoints that can influence future research directions
• Track market movements, analyze trends, and translate findings into clear client guidance
• Advise clients and prospects through virtual and in-person interactions
• Prepare and present strong presentation materials for events, conferences, and client briefings
• Support sales and BTI efforts by serving as a market voice and helping create engaging content
• Review peer content to maintain quality and relevance
• Represent Gartner’s perspective, methodology, and strategy with credibility
• Participate in innovation, idea generation, and research collaboration with peers
• Recommend process improvements and help refine how the team delivers service
• Mentor and coach more junior colleagues
• Stay client-focused and actively encourage regular engagement with Gartner insights

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; a graduate degree is preferred
• At least 10 years of experience with procurement technologies supporting successful transformation in direct spend categories
• Background leading strategic transformation programs centered on digital enablement for direct materials procurement
• Hands-on familiarity with direct materials sourcing and procurement platforms such as SAP Ariba, GEP, Ivalua, Oracle, Levadata, and SourceDay
• Experience connecting procurement systems with ERP, MRP, or other supply chain technologies to support end-to-end planning and execution
• Preferred familiarity with supplier risk management tools such as Everstream Analytics, Exiger, apexanalytix, Prewave, and Resilinc
• Ability to assess emerging vendors and technologies relevant to direct procurement and explain their likely impact
• Clear understanding of how procurement and sourcing technology creates business value across the supply chain
• Strong executive presence and confidence in working with senior stakeholders
• Excellent organization and the ability to work to tight deadlines while delivering high-quality output
• Strong research, writing, analysis, presentation, and communication skills
• Ability to synthesize data, apply frameworks, and defend conclusions clearly
• Comfort speaking at both small and large events
• Strong commercial and financial judgment
• Deep knowledge of the global competitive landscape in the subject area
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across multicultural global teams
• Learning agility and comfort operating in matrixed environments
• Ability to represent Gartner’s research approach and strategy across all organizational levels
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 20% where needed

Additional Information

Gartner describes itself as a company that advises leaders who shape organizations and industries. Its mission is to provide objective business and technology insights that help enterprise clients achieve mission-critical goals. The organization was founded in 1979 and now has about 20,000 associates serving more than 13,000 client enterprises across roughly 90 countries and territories.

The company emphasizes curiosity, drive, collaboration, and high performance. It highlights a culture built around teamwork, inclusion across geographies and backgrounds, and leadership that helps people grow. Gartner also notes its strong focus on artificial intelligence, positioning itself as a major source of guidance for organizations navigating AI adoption and transformation.

Benefits and Work Environment

The employer offers competitive compensation, strong benefits, and rewards for high performers. The work setup is flexible and supports virtual work when suitable, while also encouraging in-person collaboration with colleagues in a purposeful and energetic environment.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

The company states that it provides equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status. It also affirms support for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans who may need reasonable accommodations to access the career application process.

Application Notice

Job Requisition ID: 108983. Applicants are asked to review and agree to the relevant country or regional recruitment notice for their place of residence before submitting an application. The company also references its applicant privacy policy and provides guidance to use only the in-application back button for smoother navigation.

Location

Remote role for Ireland and the UK, with Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland listed as the location.