Higher Education Strategic Research Director

EAB; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

PTO and holidays

401(k) with company matching

Wellness and family support programs

Job summary

EAB is seeking a Director for Research and Strategic Advisory Services to shape high‑impact research projects and advisory offerings for higher education leaders. You will guide project design, lead analytical work, and deliver insights to provosts and deans, coordinating with cross‑functional teams to ensure scalable, practical results.

The role emphasizes thought leadership, stakeholder management, and the delivery of executive‑level presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with an excellent academic record.
• 6–8+ years of post‑Bachelor’s work experience.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.
• Experience with at least two of the following: management/strategy consulting; university/education strategic planning; long‑term strategy research (≥3 months); primary and secondary research; higher education knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead strategic research projects from conception to completion (2–4 months for smaller projects, up to 9 months for larger).
• Provide intellectual leadership and analytical direction throughout the research process.
• Synthesize complex ideas into actionable insights for executive audiences.
• Communicate ideas using persuasive writing, storytelling, and visuals.
• Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• Conduct market sizing, testing calls, and product design analyses for new research and enhancements.
• Collaborate with project leads, SMEs, and delivery teams to ensure scalable execution and engagement.
• Mentor junior researcher staff with feedback and workload management.
• Deliver initial services and presentations to executive clients and leadership.

Skills

Project management

Strategy consulting

Executive communication

Research methods

Higher education knowledge

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA/MPP/JD/PhD or equivalent

Job description

EAB is seeking a Director for Research and Strategic Advisory Services to shape high‑impact research projects and advisory offerings for higher education leaders. You will guide project design, lead analytical work, and deliver insights to provosts and deans, coordinating with cross‑functional teams to ensure scalable, practical results.

The role emphasizes thought leadership, stakeholder management, and the delivery of executive‑level presentations.