Analyst Relations (AR) Senior Manager

At F5, we strive to bring a better digital world to life. Our teams empower organizations across the globe to create, secure, and run applications that enhance how we experience our evolving digital world.

We are passionate about cybersecurity, from protecting consumers from fraud to enabling companies to focus on innovation.

Everything we do centers around people. That means we obsess over how to make the lives of our customers, and their customers, better.

And it means we prioritize a diverse F5 community where each individual can thrive.

Our Employees

Are valued and empowered, collaborative and team-oriented, innovative in their approach and passionate about their work.

They are reliable, trustworthy and open with a high level of integrity. They value diversity, are inclusive and are committed to a global mindset.

Position Summary : The Analyst Relations (AR) Senior Manager has established a credible career tenure in the art and science of analyst relations.

Reporting to the Global Head of Analyst Relations, the AR Senior Manager acts as a primary interface for all matters involving third-party industry analyst research and advisory firms for assigned F5 business units and initiatives.

This includes, but is not limited to, overseeing relationships between key influencers and F5 personnel related to industry analyst resources (firms and analysts);

proactive and reactive requests for information, and consistent and progressive maintenance of key influencer relationships that strengthen the company’s market position and thought leadership.

The AR Senior Manager is responsible for owning, representing and implementing a global strategy to broaden F5’s AR coverage and impact for his / her assigned business units and initiatives as the company expands into adjacent markets.

Primary Responsibilities :

• Drive analyst outreach objectives for assigned business units and initiatives as part of the overall F5 analyst relations strategy, with a focus primarily on security
• Act as the primary liaison for all outbound and inbound industry analyst communications for assigned business units and initiatives;

includes creating proactive and tailored communications for the analyst community; support information needs across various F5 groups (such as Engineering, Product Management, Marketing and Business Development) by cross-leveraging resources.

• Work with key stakeholders in Product Management, Marketing, Engineering and Sales to design and drive a global AR strategy (and a documented plan) that effectively extends the company’s AR initiatives as F5 expands into adjacent markets.
• Effectively project-manage major vendor evaluations, solution launches, strategy days, events, tours, special projects, etc.
• For major analyst firm comparative evaluations, will lead broad cross-functional teams in developing detailed and compelling responses to RFIs, coordinating the development of detailed briefings and demos, vetting and providing positive reference customers, and navigating a possible escalation or appeals process.
• Understand analyst firms, their business models, and their structures for optimal outreach, effective use of AR budget, permissions and approvals, NDA limitations, etc.
• Keep a pulse on the industry analyst firm landscape for acquisitions, departures, new coverage areas, etc.
• Effectively negotiate to optimize price / value for F5 related to analyst engagements, contract renewals, asset creation, and other special projects.
• Provide guidance, assistance for global F5 team members on AR contracts, inquiries, strategies, etc.
• Capture, curate and distribute valuable pieces of qualitative and quantitative data that aids both F5 personnel and influencers, such as research summaries, briefing notes, customer wins, trend information, etc.
• Understand and manage the different nuances for securing permissions for citations, quote requests, reprints, distribution of reports, etc.
• Advocate for opportunities and innovation in influencer awareness such as social media, use of virtual / remote technology for analyst engagement, promoting the voice of the F5 customer in case studies, panels, facilitated conversations, etc.
• Cultivate a broad understanding of F5, its solutions, its customers, and its relevant markets.

Other Responsibilities :

• Upholding F5’s Business Code of Ethics and promptly reporting violations of the Code or other company policies.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• 7+ years of experience in analyst relations within the technology sector. Ideal candidate will have experience in working with analysts who deal with enterprise networking, security, service provider and cloud computing technologies.
• Undergraduate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business or related field required.
• A graduate degree in a related field is preferred.
• This position is public-facing and requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, presentation and analytical skills.
• Proven success in gaining consensus among critical stakeholders through strong leadership.
• Accomplished in leading broad cross-functional teams to manage analyst firm comparative analyst research evaluations from start to finish.
• A proven track record of successful relationship development with Gartner advisory analysts.
• The individual must be articulate, professional and have strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate a wide range of personalities and all levels of executives, functional and technical leaders, customers and analysts (often with a persuasion agenda).
• Experience working in high-growth, performance-focused environments
• Understanding of sales, corporate communications and finance environments
• Strong project management and organization skills
• Highly structured thinker who is detail-oriented and naturally curious
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs

Physical Demands and Work Environment :

• Duties are performed in a normal office environment while sitting at a desk or computer table. Duties require the ability to utilize a computer, communicate over the telephone, and read printed material.
• Duties may require being on call periodically and working outside normal working hours (evenings and weekends).
• Duties may require the ability to travel via automobile or airplane, approximately 15% of the time spent traveling.
• Job requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Benefits :

We provide competitive salaries, a world class benefits package, including 100% of the premium for employee medical, dental and vision insurance, highly subsidized premiums for dependent coverage, 401K match, employees stock purchase plan, 18 days paid time off within the 1st year and 9 paid holidays, life insurance, short & long term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, and much more.

The Job Description is intended to be a general representation of the responsibilities and requirements of the job. However, the description may not be all-inclusive, and responsibilities and requirements are subject to change.

The annual U.S. base pay range for this position is : $128,545.00 - $192,817.00

F5 maintains broad salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience, geographic locations, and market conditions, as well as to reflect F5’s differing products, industries, and lines of business.

The pay range referenced is as of the time of the job posting and is subject to change.