Strategic Research Lead, Higher Education Advisory

EAB; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,500 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) retirement savings plan

Employee discount

Job summary

EAB invites applications for Associate Director, Research and Strategic Advisory Services (Academic Strategy). The role sits in the Research Discovery & Design division and focuses on designing research projects and providing strategic advisory for higher education leadership.

Based in Washington DC or Richmond, VA or remote across the continental US, the role emphasizes thought leadership, client advisory, and high-impact syndicated research with executive audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with strong academics; 5+ years of work experience, or 4+ with advanced degree.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.
• Experience in two or more: management/strategy consulting, university/education planning, long-term research, primary/secondary research, higher education experience.
• Communication with senior executives and advisory client work.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead strategic research projects from concept to completion.
• Provide intellectual leadership across research phases and present findings.
• Synthesize complex ideas into actionable insights for executive audiences.
• Communicate ideas using writing, storytelling, and graphics.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct market-sizing, test calls, and product design analysis for new research.
• Collaborate with project leads and teams to ensure scalable delivery.
• Manage and coach junior researchers and workloads.
• Deliver initial services and presentations to executives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Client advisory

Project management

Research

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred (MA/MPP/PhD/JD)

Relevant fields (education, economics, political science, data analytics)

Job description

EAB invites applications for Associate Director, Research and Strategic Advisory Services (Academic Strategy). The role sits in the Research Discovery & Design division and focuses on designing research projects and providing strategic advisory for higher education leadership.

Based in Washington DC or Richmond, VA or remote across the continental US, the role emphasizes thought leadership, client advisory, and high-impact syndicated research with executive audiences.