Managing Consulting - Human Centered Reserach for Energy Efficiency Programs

Guidehouse; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 102,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Guidehouse seeks a Managing Consultant to lead human-centered research across client engagements in the Sustainability Consulting practice. You will plan, collect data, analyze results, and develop insights that shape programs and services, with a focus on net-to-gross analysis and attribution methodologies.

The role requires strong project management, survey design using Qualtrics, and the ability to translate findings into clear recommendations for clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree AND five or more years post-grad experience; or Master's degree AND three or more years post-grad experience.
• Strong experience with surveys, interviews, focus groups, and usability studies.
• Experience designing, programming, administering, and managing surveys in Qualtrics or similar platforms.
• Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data and communicate findings clearly to clients and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of evaluation methodologies including net-to-gross analysis and attribution.
• Ability to tailor research approaches to client needs and evolving environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead human-centered research engagements across the project lifecycle: planning, data collection, analysis, and insight development.
• Design and execute primary research methods to answer client questions and improve programs.
• Lead survey research efforts using Qualtrics, ensuring data quality and efficient operations.
• Develop evaluation plans and analytical approaches aligned to client objectives.
• Synthesize findings into actionable recommendations and compelling visualizations.
• Interpret survey analyses and attribution research to support program performance objectives.
• Serve as trusted advisor to clients, guiding evaluation and strategy decisions.
• Manage work plans, staffing, budgets, and project risks across engagements.

Skills

Primary research methods

Project management

Client-facing skills

Creative problem-solving

Survey design & analysis

Communication of insights

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Qualtrics

Job description

What You Will Do

This Managing Consultant role requires strong experience in primary research methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and usability studies, as well as project management and creative problem-solving skills. The successful candidate will lead human-centered research throughout the project lifecycle, from planning and data collection to analysis and insight development, helping clients create programs and services that drive desired outcomes and positive customer experiences.

Job Family

Sustainability Consulting

Travel Required

Up to 10%

Clearance Required

None

What You Will Do

This Managing Consultant role requires strong experience in primary research methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and usability studies, as well as project management and creative problem-solving skills. The successful candidate will lead human-centered research throughout the project lifecycle, from planning and data collection to analysis and insight development, helping clients create programs and services that drive desired outcomes and positive customer experiences.

The role also requires experience managing large-scale survey efforts, administering the Qualtrics platform, and translating quantitative and qualitative findings into actionable insights. Expertise in net-to-gross analysis, attribution methodologies, and interpretation of evaluation results is highly desired to support program evaluations. The candidate should be comfortable tailoring research approaches to unique client needs and navigating ambiguity in evolving program environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead human-centered research engagements throughout the project lifecycle, including planning, data collection, analysis, and insight development.
• Design and execute primary research methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and usability studies to answer client questions and improve program outcomes.
• Lead the development, programming, testing, deployment, and management of survey research efforts using Qualtrics, ensuring data quality, respondent experience, and efficient survey operations.
• Develop evaluation plans, research frameworks, and analytical approaches aligned to client objectives and program performance questions.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data, synthesize findings, and translate research into clear, actionable recommendations and compelling visualizations.
• Conduct and interpret survey analyses, net-to-gross assessments, attribution research, and participant decision-making studies to support evaluation and program performance objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients by identifying challenges, recommending solutions, and guiding evaluation, customer experience, and program strategy decisions.
• Tailor research approaches to unique client needs, navigate ambiguity, and make sound methodological tradeoffs in evolving program environments.
• Manage work plans, staffing, deadlines, budgets, and project risks across multiple engagements while collaborating closely with team leadership.
• Participate in and lead business development, training, knowledge sharing, and cultural efforts.
• Drive cultural values through exemplary leadership, a people-first approach, and cultivation of an inclusive, diverse, and safe environment.

What You Will Need

• Must be a US Permanent Resident or US Citizen due to nature of client engagements.
• Bachelor's degree AND Five (5+) plus years relevant post-graduation work experience; Or Master's degree AND Three (3+) plus years relevant post-graduation work experience. Degree emphasis should be in either human-centric research and design, analysis, logical reasoning, and/or problem solving (e.g., social science, economics, market research, etc.).
• Strong experience in primary research methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and usability studies.
• Strong consulting and client-facing skills with the ability to serve as a trusted advisor.
• Must demonstrate experience with the following:
  • Leading human-centered research initiatives from planning through analysis, insight development, and client reporting.
  • Designing, programming, administering, and managing surveys within Qualtrics or similar research platforms.
  • Analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and communicating findings clearly to clients and stakeholders.
  • Synthesizing customer, participant, and stakeholder insights into actionable recommendations that improve programs, services, and customer experiences.
• Project management experience, including managing multiple workstreams, deadlines, staffing, budgets, and client expectations.
• Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguous problem spaces.
• Knowledge of evaluation methodologies, including net-to-gross analysis, attribution assessment, participant decision-making research, and survey-based evaluation approaches.
• Ability to tailor research approaches to unique client needs and evolving program environments.
• Ability to collaborate with team leadership and keep them informed of project progress, risks, and key developments.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to work onsite in a Guidehouse Office or Client Office as needed.

What Would Be Nice To Have

• Preference will be given to candidates residing within 50 miles of Guidehouse Office.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in human-centric research and design.
• Experience with energy efficiency programs or energy-related technologies, programs, and services.
• Experience leading multiple portfolios in net-to-gross, attribution, free-ridership, spillover, or related EM&V analyses within the Utilities/Energy industry.
• Experience serving as a Qualtrics administrator, governance lead, or center-of-excellence lead supporting multiple research teams and projects.
• Experience using visualizations such as journey maps, customer journeys, personas, lifecycle analyses, and other human-centered design artifacts to communicate insights.
• Experience developing new research approaches when no clear precedent or best practice exists.
• Familiarity with EM&V, market research, customer behavior analysis, program evaluation, and regulatory environments.

The annual salary range for this position is $102,000.00-$170,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits Include

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation. Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco. If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation. All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process. If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties. Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.