Principal Analyst, Public Cloud

Forrester

. Lead Forrester’s public cloud platform research across research teams and with sales, product, and customer success .

Posted 10/9/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $141,000 - $263,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in public cloud strategy, architecture, and operations, with a strong ability to advise senior management and C-level clients. Proven track record in conducting research, developing actionable insights, and fostering cross-team collaboration in complex enterprise environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Public Cloud StrategyCloud ArchitectureInfrastructure As A ServiceClient-Facing CommunicationMarket Analysis

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Cloud-Native DevelopmentKubernetesServerless ServicesCloud OperationsData And AI Platform ServicesHybrid And Multicloud ManagementCloud NetworkingCloud SecurityCloud ResilienceCloud Automation

Soft Skills

Critical ThinkingCollaborationAnalytical SkillsPresentation SkillsListening Skills

Industry Keywords

Public Cloud MarketHyperscale Cloud ProvidersSovereign Cloud ProvidersVendor SelectionExecutive-Level Thought Leadership

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudKubernetes

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead Forrester’s public cloud platform research across research teams and with sales, product, and customer success
Develop understanding of the needs of technology executives, cloud leaders, architects, infrastructure and operations leaders, platform teams, and application development leaders
Conduct primary research through interviews, surveys, vendor briefings, and market analysis
Analyze major and emerging public cloud providers and translate market developments into implications for enterprise customers and technology vendors
Help clients navigate trade-offs involving cost, performance, resilience, security, data sovereignty, portability, skills, operating models, ecosystems, and vendor concentration
Create approximately eight to 12 actionable research projects per year, including reports, tools, webinars, videos, blogs, podcasts, infographics, and other intellectual property
Drive and lead Forrester Wave™ and Landscape research in public cloud and adjacent markets
Develop decision frameworks, maturity models, best practices, and practical cloud guidance
Consult with clients through inquiry, guidance, advisory, and consulting engagements
Present at Forrester-sponsored and industry events and deliver webinars, workshops, and executive presentations
Establish an industry presence through speaking, thought leadership, relationships with senior technology leaders, cloud providers, ecosystem partners, and journalists, plus vendor briefings and press inquiries
Support business development and prospect conversations
Foster cross-team collaboration, mentorship, intellectual rigor, integrity, and client impact

Requirements

What you’ll need

BA/BS degree or equivalent professional experience
At least 10 years’ experience in senior practitioner, cloud architect, platform or infrastructure leader, consultant, technology strategist, vendor executive, or research analyst roles focused on public cloud or closely related domains
Deep knowledge of the public cloud market, including hyperscale and alternative, sovereign, industry, and specialized cloud providers
Demonstrated experience with cloud strategy, architecture, platform selection, migration, modernization, cloud-native development, or cloud operations in complex enterprise environments
Strong working knowledge of infrastructure as a service; containers and Kubernetes; serverless and application platform services; data and AI platform services; hybrid and multicloud management; cloud networking, storage, compute, security, resilience, observability, and automation
Understanding of organizational and operating-model changes required for cloud success
Ability to evaluate technology platforms and markets through technical and business lenses
Demonstrated ability to advise senior management and C-level clients
Superior client-facing communication, listening, interviewing, critical thinking, collaboration, analytical, writing, editing, and presentation skills
Ability to distill complex ideas into simple, provocative concepts and take well-supported positions
Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
Preferred: experience advising or delivering cloud programs for large enterprises, regulated industries, or global organizations
Preferred: hands-on or leadership experience with major public cloud platforms and cloud architecture frameworks
Preferred: experience leading comparative market evaluations, vendor selection, product strategy, consulting engagements, or executive-level thought leadership
Preferred: established network among enterprise cloud leaders, cloud providers, service partners, or industry media

Benefits

Comp & perks

Exposure to industry experts and to top business leaders within Fortune 1000 companies
Access to research that influences global leaders every day
World-class learning and development opportunities
All the cappuccino you can drink
The opportunity to rock out with guitars in our Cambridge headquarters’ lobby and take piano lessons on Friday
Onsite massages
Fierce foosball and ping-pong rivalry
A top-notch fitness center and new pickleball courts
Zagster bike-sharing and rental program
A competitive benefits package
Opportunity to work in a LEED Gold- and LEED Platinum-certified building