Associate Director, Research Growth Strategy

EAB (Education Advisory Board); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

EAB is seeking an Associate Director for its Research Growth Strategy, focusing on data-driven product innovation in the higher education sector. The role involves analyzing market trends, utilizing data tools, and leading projects that enhance partnership value. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits offered, promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. This position allows for potential remote work within the continental US.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

20+ days of PTO annually

401(k) retirement savings plan

Employee assistance program

Fertility treatment and adoption assistance

Paid parental leave

Qualifications

• 5+ years of post-graduate professional experience; or 4+ years with an advanced degree.
• Proven ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Experience in data analysis and survey design.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert on higher education data.
• Develop actionable insights from market data analyses.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to scope research questions.

Skills

Analytic skills

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree in data analytics or economics-related fields

Tools

Excel

SQL

Qlik

Job description

Make a difference in a sector that matters to us all

EAB is a special place to work. You'll find motivated employees, growth opportunities, and a deep commitment to our partners. We pride ourselves on hiring the best people—not just for the job, but for the firm and the future of education.

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Associate Director, Research Growth Strategy

At 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 other—that's why we are always working to make sure our employees love their jobs and are invested in their communities. See how we've been recognized for this dedication to our employeesby checking out our recent awards .

Associate Director, Research Growth Strategy, Data Analytics Team

The Research Growth Strategy Group is responsible for supporting strong contract value expansion of existing products and identifying and launching new products and services. Within that, the Data Analytics Team works at the intersection of data, strategy, and storytelling to lead data-based product innovation and insight about the higher education sector. Associate Directors in RGS Data Analytics lead projects to develop products and services for EAB partners that use quantitative analysis, automation, and data-based tools and surveys to deliver value

One part of this role is to develop and maintain a deep, actionable understanding of the “voice of the market” in higher education and of market trends in the sector. This includes anticipating competitive and regulatory changes where EAB can improve its value proposition, analyzing how partners use EAB content to increase utilization and satisfaction, and monitoring competitors to ensure that EAB’s data-based offerings remain unique and compelling.

You will use your understanding of the market and higher education data to create actionable insights and help develop scalable, customizable data-based offerings for partners, ensuring EAB Research stays at the forefront of the industry. You will use programming, data analysis tools, and business intelligence platforms to develop these services. You will interact closely with colleagues on research and delivery teams to understand partner needs, develop product design, and perfect partner use-cases for EAB product content and services.

This role may be based in Washington D.C. or open to remote employment within the continental United States. This position may require occasional travel (10-15%) to office and team in-days as well as to partner college and university campuses for marketing listening experiences.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as a subject matter expert on higher education data and data sources—understanding what’s available, its implications, and how to extract meaningful insights
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and scope research questions that can be addressed with data analyses
• Develop compelling analyses that translate available data into actionable insights
• Shape findings into clear, visually effective deliverables (slides, reports, presentations)
• Identify research resources that require regular data updates and manage update processes
• Assess how updated data impacts EAB Research’s point of view, and coordinate with relevant subject matter experts to update resources and materials accordingly
• Lead development projects for new, scaled, data-based services, including surveys
• Develop and manage automated tools to streamline data updates and improve turnaround time
• Market-sizing, testing calls and product design analysis for new product launches

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, with an excellent academic record and 5+ years of post-graduate, professional experience;or 4+ years of post-graduate, professional experience and an advanced degree;or bachelor's degree and 4+ years of post-graduate, professional experience, including 2+ years of experience in EAB Research
• Proven analytic skills and ability to translate market findings and complex data into actionable insights and product innovations
• Experience in data analysis, research, or business intelligence
• Experience in survey design, research, or operations
• Proficiency with survey statistics principles and analysis (sampling theory, survey weighting, significance testing)
• Proficiency with data tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Qlik)
• Proven ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and external partners
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Exceptional project management, prioritization, and delegation skills, especially in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to travel 10-15%

Ideal Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in data analytics or economics-related fields
• Familiarity with higher education, demographic, and workforce datasets (e.g, IPEDS, National Student Clearinghouse, American Community Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Job Postings datasets)
• Familiarity with higher education trends and institutional decision-making (preferred)
• Knowledge of Qualtrics, Qlik, and SQL a plus
• Proven ability to successfully work in a matrixed organization
• Experience with solution-focused problem solving and thinking through problems creatively
• Experience with new product or business development
• Commitment 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 aspiration.

If 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 thisrole is$70,500 - $95,000per year. Actual salary variesdue to factors that may include but not be limited torelevant experience, skills, and location.At EAB, it isnot typical for an individual to be hired at or near thetop of the starting salary range for their role.

This hire will additionally be eligible for discretionarybonus or incentive compensation. Variablecompensation may depend on various factors,such as individual andorganizational performance.

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 eligible
• 20+ days of PTO annually, in addition to paid firm and floating holidays
• Daytime 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 contribution
• Health savings account, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account, and pre-tax commuter plans
• Employee assistance program with counseling services and resources available to all employees and immediate family
• Wellness programs including gym discounts, incentives to promote healthy living, and family access to the leading app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• Fertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance
• Paid parental leave with phase back to work program for birthing and non-birthing parents
• Access to milk shipping service to support nursing employees during business travel
• Discounted pet health insurance coverage for dog and cat family members
• Company-provided life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Financial wellness resources and membership in a robust employee discount program
• Access to employee resource groups, merit-based advancement, and dynamic professional growth opportunities

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.