Director, Cadence Strategic Marketing

Director, Cadence Strategic Marketing

Location: San Jose, CA

Role Summary:

The Director of Strategic Marketing will play a critical role in shaping Cadence’s market intelligence, competitive strategy, and business development efforts. This highly analytical role requires the ability to dive deep into the competitions’ strategic activities and financial results, to analyze market data and trends, and uncover actionable insights to guide our growth and secure our competitive position. You will conduct major annual and quarterly quantitative analyses, manage third-party intelligence providers, and help shape Cadence’s approach to emerging markets and new technologies such as AI. The ideal candidate will have a background in the EDA or closely related technologies, along with a quantitative mindset and a demonstrated ability to communicate complex findings to senior executives.

Key Responsibilities;

• Deep-dive competitive analysis: Conduct a regular and thorough analysis of major competitors’ strategies, activities, and financial performance, beyond publicly available data. This includes fast-turn analysis of quarterly earnings calls and other high-priority inquiries.
• Market Size and Forecasting: Perform detailed product-level market sizing and forecasting, particularly within the industries which Cadence currently participates. Analyze quarterly growth trends and usage trends.
• New Market Analysis: Explore new areas such as agentic AI and Physical AI (robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, etc.) and emerging such as quantum and Science AI. Create market maps, identify areas for potential Cadence involvement. Assess market size and growth in these emerging fields.
• Storyboarding and Executive Presentations: Create unique and compelling stories for emerging markets, backed by data, that demonstrate Cadence’s leadership.
• Fast-turn Data Requests: Respond quickly to inquiries from various internal teams (e.g. executive management, legal, finance, business groups) with data analysis and insight to support key initiatives across the company.
• Third-Party Vendor Oversight: Manage relationships with third-party intelligence provers. Ensure the integrity of market data, including that found with AI. Oversee the annual budget for market intelligence services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Industry experience: 8+ years of market research experience in the EDA, semiconductor IP, or closely related industries. A solid understanding of EDA and its market dynamics is required regardless of background.
• Quantitative Mindset: Strong analytical and quantitative skills, and comfortable working with incomplete, uncertain, or conflicting data. Ability to extract meaningful insights from raw data.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, for data analysis and presentation. Familiarity with PowerPoint for executive presentations. Familiarity with AI tools to accelerate analysis and content creation.
• Effective Storytelling: Ability to communicate complex insights in both quantitative and qualitative fashion. Experience crafting compelling narratives for senior leadership.
• Collaboration: Experience working with all levels in the company, including C-level executives.
• Adaptability: Ability to navigate ambiguity and work flexibly in a rapidly changing environment
• Education: Bachelor degree in a quantitative field such as engineering, science, math or economics.

Preferred Qualifications

• AI Knowledge: Working knowledge of artificial intelligence and applications to technical software ecosystems.
• CAE/Semiconductor experience: Experience or familiarity with CAE or semiconductor industries is a plus.
• Market Research experience: experience working for an established market research firm is a plus.
• Advanced Degrees: An MBA, MS, or PhD in a quantitative field is preferred            

The annual salary range for California is $161,000 to $299,000. You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.