Market Intelligence Director

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.

The Market Intelligence Director evaluates and advises on new and disruptive external trends, forces, and signals. Consults with senior management regarding implications to the organization's future-forward strategy and operations. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify and help develop strategic recommendations that enable the organization to respond effectively to external forces and conditions. 

• Develops and delivers foresight by evaluating and cultivating a deep understanding of external trends that present threats or opportunities.
• Surveils and defines the competitive and external landscape. Develops and maintains an independent point of view about the external landscape to mitigate against blind spots.
• Identifies the most pressing strategic intelligence needs for the organization via rigorous evaluation of external sources and gathering of internal intelligence.
• Describes and envisions a range of possible future scenarios to support strategy and planning development. Plays out scenarios by deeply understanding the core competencies, assets, and business models of the organization. Frames hypotheses around potential implications, both independently and in conjunction with stakeholders.
• Supports the engagement of critical stakeholders by responding in the face of emerging external realities. Facilitates dialog and decision-making with stakeholders that pushes understanding, fosters engagement with findings, and induces action.
• Cultivates strong, best-in-class sources of trend information that are reliable and credible (qualitative and quantitative, primary and secondary, textual and human). Surfaces best internal collective intelligence on key trends and topics.
• Synthesizes foresight, trend analysis, and scenario work into actionable enterprise plans by defining implications, making recommendations, authoring communications and facilitating discussions of paths forward that guide strategic choices and delivery alignment.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Strategy, Market Research, Public Policy, International Affairs, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred. 
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in strategic planning, competitive intelligence, corporate strategy, market research, business strategy, management consulting, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in identifying, analyzing, and interpreting external trends, market dynamics, and emerging disruptions to identify strategic opportunities and risks.
• Proven ability to conduct competitive intelligence and assess markets, industries and competitive landscapes to inform partnership strategy, business priorities, and executive decision-making.
• Strong experience evaluating and synthesizing information from diverse qualitative and quantitative sources intoactionable insights that support business development strategy, and executive decision-making.
• Lead scenario planning, future-state modeling, and hypothesis development to inform long-term strategy, business planning, and organizational preparedness.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate complex insights in narrative form, guide strategic discussions, and influence decision-making across all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical, communication, research, and strategic thinking capabilities with experience leveraging AI enabled research tools and translating trend analysis, and market intelligence into actionable recommendations, enterprise plans, and business strategies.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements 

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.