Role Overview:We're looking for a senior small business expert to lead how we define, collect and assess data within Forbes Advisor's SMB vertical. As Head, SMB Methodology & Data, you'll own the strategic vision and execution for Forbes Advisor's SMB methodologies and data products spanning business formation, accounting, payroll, payments, communications, HR and business operations software.
You'll work cross-functionally to turn complex business products, operational workflows, regulations and customer needs into clear, defensible scoring frameworks and structured datasets.
This is a hands-on strategy and leadership role: part SME, part architect of how our SMB rankings and data products work and evolve.
Responsibilities:- Own SMB methodology strategy across formation, banking, accounting, payroll, payments, communications, HR, lending and business operations software.
- Define clear, defensible evaluation frameworks that reflect SMB user needs, market realities and update cadence.
- Shape proprietary SMB metrics and structured datasets for rankings, editorial use and potential data products.
- Define research and data collection requirements; partner with testing, data and research teams to ensure evidence quality.
- Establish quality standards for SMB methodologies, scoring models, documentation and analyst work.
- Mentor analysts and serve as the internal SME for SMB market dynamics, methodology design, and data quality.
- Partner with editorial, SEO, product, commercial, testing and data teams to translate methodology into credible rankings and scalable data products.
Qualifications:Must-Have- 5+ years of experience in SMB products, services, SaaS, fintech, operations, consulting, analytics, product management or related fields.
- Deep understanding of how small businesses evaluate, buy and use products or services to start, operate and grow.
- Experience building or overseeing analytical frameworks, rating systems, benchmarking programs, structured evaluations or data products.
- Strong ability to translate complex business, financial, operational or technical concepts into clear guidance for non-experts.
- Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and guide work across editorial, product, commercial, analytics, research or testing teams.
Nice-to-Have- Experience at a review site, marketplace, ratings organization, fintech, SaaS provider, business services company or SMB data provider.
- Familiarity with model governance, validation, QA or audit processes for scoring/rating systems.
- Experience using testing, surveys, secret shopping, customer research or market research in methodology or decision-making frameworks.
- Exposure to proprietary datasets, scoring engines, commercial data products or large-scale comparative product evaluations.
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