Director, Research & Strategic Advisory Services (Professional and Adult Education)
Directors on our Strategic Advisory Services team (within the Research Discovery & Design division) develop the ideas, products, and services that help higher education executives navigate the major strategic, management, and operational issues facing the industry today. Our researchers conduct in-depth interviews with campus executives at diverse institutions and perform data and root-cause analyses to identify market-leading strategies and best practices in our pursuit to make education smarter.
As a member of our team, you will play an important role in innovating and producing syndicated research and high-value advisory services for partner organizations, including on-site workshops, executive roundtable events, diagnostic tools, and strategy briefs. You will also be a valued expert to EAB partner organizations, advising them on strategy and best practice implementation.
This role can be based in Washington D.C. and is also open to remote candidates in the continental U.S. The position may require occasional travel (up to approximately 10%) for presenting research findings to our partners as well as facilitating strategy sessions.
Primary Responsibilities :
- Lead start-to-finish projects, including strategic and root cause analyses, inductive and deductive reasoning, qualitative interviewing, and hypothesis generation and testing
- Formulate and defend original points of view
- Synthesize complex ideas into actionable insights for executive audiences
- Use persuasive writing, storytelling, and graphics to communicate ideas and create polished deliverables (e.g., presentations, briefings)
- Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including EAB executives and campus leaders
- Lead project teams and manage deadlines in fast-paced, evolving contexts
- Conduct market-sizing, testing calls, and product design analysis for new research and product enhancements
- Collaborate with individual project leads, subject matter experts, and delivery teams to ensure that deliverables are designed for scalable execution and interactive partner engagement
- Coach junior-level researchers by developing analytical skills, providing actionable feedback, and managing workloads
- Deliver initial services and presentations to executive-level clients and leadership teams
Basic Qualifications :
Bachelor's degree, with an excellent academic record7-9+ years of post-Bachelor's work experienceWillingness to travel up to 10%Experience with at least two of the following : Management or strategy consulting, strategic planning, conducting long-term strategy research (at least 3 months in duration), conducting primary and secondary research, higher education knowledge and expertiseIdeal Qualifications :
Advanced degree or equivalent experience demonstrating strategic, analytical, and business problem-solving capability (MBA, MPP, JD, PhD, or similar)Academic background or professional experience reflecting strength in quantitative reasoning, economics, data interpretation, and / or policy analysisExperience working in a team environment, as well as independently and autonomously in ambiguous and fast-changing contextsProven ability to communicate effectively with senior executives in both oral and written formatsCommercial and product intuition, including experience linking ideas to market opportunities, competitive differentiation, and portfolio positioningExperience with solution-focused and creative problem solvingExperience working with clients in a consultative or advisory role, ideally within business, policy, or education sectorsDemonstrated experience in managing projects and meeting deadlinesCommitment to embracing a continual learning environment and contributing to a dynamic and welcoming culture of fairness, authenticity, and belonging in support of EAB's mission, values, and aspirationIf you've reached this section of the job description and are unsure of whether to apply, please do! At EAB, we welcome new perspectives and learn from each other's unique experiences. We would encourage you to submit an application if this is a role you would be passionate about doing every day.
Compensation : The anticipated starting salary (base) range for this role is $100,000 - $125,000 per year. Actual salary varies due to factors that may include but not be limited to relevant experience, skills, and location. At EAB, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the starting salary range for their role.
This hire will additionally be eligible for discretionary bonus or incentive compensation. Variable compensation may depend on various factors, such as individual and organizational performance.
Benefits : Consistent with our belief that our employees are our most valuable resources, EAB offers a competitive and inclusive benefits package. Our benefits currently include :
Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; dependents and domestic partners eligible20+ days of PTO annually, in addition to paid firm and floating holidaysDaytime leave policy for community service and flextime for fitness activities (up to 10 hours per month each)401(k) retirement savings plan with annual discretionary company matching contributionHealth savings account, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account, and pre-tax commuter plansEmployee assistance program with counseling services and resources available to all employees and immediate familyWellness programs including gym discounts, incentives to promote healthy living, and family access to the leading app for sleep, meditation, and relaxationFertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistancePaid parental leave with phase back to work program for birthing and non-birthing parentsAccess to milk shipping service to support nursing employees during business travelDiscounted pet health insurance coverage for dog and cat family membersCompany-provided life, AD&D, and disability insuranceFinancial wellness resources and membership in a robust employee discount programAccess to employee resource groups, merit-based advancement, and dynamic professional growth opportunitiesBenefits kick in day one; learn more at eab.com / careers / benefits.
This opening is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time; EAB will thus consider candidates who possess U.S. work authorization that does not require employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.
At EAB, we believe that to fulfill our mission to "make education smarter and our communities stronger" we need team members who bring a diversity of perspectives to the table and are committed to fostering a workplace where each team member is valued, respected, and heard.
To that end, EAB is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we make employment decisions on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. We don't discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.