Director, Research

Director, Research & Strategic Advisory ServicesAt EAB, our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. We work with more than 2,800 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities. From kindergarten to college to career, EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress and drive results across enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, data analytics, and advancement. We work with each partner differently, tailoring our portfolio of research, technology, and marketing and enrollment solutions to meet the unique needs of every leadership team, as well as the students and employees they serve. At EAB, we serve not only our partner institutions but each otherthat's why we are always working to make sure our employees love their jobs and are invested in their communities.The Role in Brief: Director, Research & Strategic Advisory Services Focus Area: 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.We currently have an opening on our Professional and Adult Education (PAE) team, which provides strategic and implementation advice for higher education executives in online, graduate, professional, continuing, and adult education. PAE research helps institutions explore and implement new models for higher education, from innovating on modality to experimenting with alternative credentials to leveraging employer partnerships to deepen work-based learning. Across our work, we help institutions grapple with the changing demography of higher education and better understand how to serve adult students, from identifying market-responsive programs to approaching marketing, recruiting, and student services in new ways.A successful candidate for this position will:Bring exceptional judgment and professionalism, with the ability to communicate complex ideas succinctly and confidently in executive conversationsBe energized by intellectual challenge and motivated by results, showing initiative, adaptability, and follow-through in fast-moving settingsBring the mindset of a strategic advisor, not just a researcher, combining analytical rigor with a deep understanding of institutional strategy, governance, and market dynamicsPossess a business- and product-oriented mindset, contributing to EAB's product strategy and identifying opportunities to strengthen our market positionBe eager to shape EAB's thought leadership, getting smart on a wide variety of topics quickly (e.g., demographic and enrollment trends, economic and labor force dynamics, academic portfolio management), developing distinct points of view on key issues in professional and adult education (e.g., the place of alternative credentials in moving institutions toward a lifelong learning model), and contributing to strategic and intellectual debates with peers and senior leadersHave experience beyond academic research and publications to include consulting, client-responsive projects, or advisory work that translates insights into strategy and actionThis 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:Directors lead strategic research projects from conception to completion, ranging from two to four months for smaller projects to approximately nine months for the largest, most complex projects.Directors provide intellectual leadership and analytical direction throughout all stages of the process, working through extensive primary and secondary research, hypothesis generation and testing, rigorous analysis of findings, design and execution of implementation resources, and the final presentation of ideas.Direct and/or indirect staff management is also a component of the position.Lead start-to-finish projects, including strategic and root cause analyses, inductive and deductive reasoning, qualitative interviewing, and hypothesis generation and testingFormulate and defend original points of viewSynthesize complex ideas into actionable insights for executive audiencesUse 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 leadersLead project teams and manage deadlines in fast-paced, evolving contextsConduct market-sizing, testing calls, and product design analysis for new research and product enhancementsCollaborate with individual project leads, subject matter experts, and delivery teams to ensure that deliverables are designed for scalable execution and interactive partner engagementCoach junior-level researchers by developing analytical skills, providing actionable feedback, and managing workloadsDeliver initial services and presentations to executive-level clients and leadership teamsBasic 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 resource, 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&