Director of Research - Security Industry Association (SIA)

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.

How You’ll Make an Impact

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.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 other research publications.
• Establish and maintain systems, databases, analytical tools, and processes to securely collect, store, manage, query, and analyze sensitive industry data through reliable and proven technology platforms.
• Track the performance of the research portfolio, using participation, revenue, and market response to guide future priorities, investments, and growth opportunities.
• Hire, supervise, and develop a Manager of Research to support research execution and program operations.
• Partner with the Member Services team to promote research publications, support subscriptions and sales, and identify opportunities for custom research.
• Present SIA’s research findings and their business implications to members, senior industry leaders, media, conference audiences, and other stakeholders. Serve as an industry analyst and trusted source of information on security market trends, industry data, and SIA research.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience leading primary research using quantitative and qualitative methods. Experience building or expanding a research program or publications portfolio is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to design surveys, conduct interviews and focus groups, analyze data, and translate findings into high-value insights.
• Experience managing staff, consultants, or research partners and leading multiple projects from planning through publication.
• Strong analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to work effectively with senior leaders, committees, and industry stakeholders.
• Experience using research, statistical analysis, survey, and data visualization tools (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Power BI).
• Bachelor’s degree in business, market research, economics, statistics, social science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. MBA preferred.

About the Security Industry Association

The Security Industry Association (SIA) is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,700 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.