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EAB · 11 hours ago

Senior Director, Research and Strategic Advisory Services (Administrative Effectiveness)

Washington, DC

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$108K/yr - $148K/yr

8+ years exp

EAB is dedicated to making education smarter and communities stronger through data-driven insights. The Senior Director will oversee research initiatives focused on Administrative Effectiveness, managing a team to provide actionable advice to university leaders on strategic and operational challenges.

Higher Education

No H1B

Responsibilities

You are an intellectual leader of research initiatives in the administrative effectiveness terrain

You ensure EAB has a clear point of view on evergreen and emerging challenges, provide practical advice and implementation support to help CBOs and COOs - as well as broader university cabinets, including the provost, CIO and president - make critical decisions

In consultation with Research leadership and internal partners, you set and execute compelling research agendas that address real-world strategic and operational problems, balancing client needs with business priorities and terrain capacity and skillsets

You use market feedback to ensure research is actionable and cutting-edge for clients

You collaborate with leaders in related terrains (e.g., Dynamic Strategy; Academic Innovation; IT Strategic Advisory Services) to align differing points of view, and share best practices, emerging trends, and elevate insights

Develop and maintain terrain mastery over primary issue areas for administrative effectiveness: cost containment, revenue growth and diversification, efficiency and effectiveness, IT and Facilities strategy, automation and generative AI embedment, talent management, space management, and environmental sustainability

You serve as a trusted subject matter expert in these areas, providing tailored advice and presentations for clients and build a network of relationships with CBOs and COOs at client universities

You monitor relevant news, trends, and innovations within the terrain, and expand the terrain based on market feedback and opportunity assessment(s)

You collaborate with Research leadership to set and execute 6-to-12-month terrain roadmaps

Your partner with Marketing, Sales, Account Management, and Partner Success to train internal staff and develop compelling commercial and service strategies to drive partner outcomes and revenue growth

You identify opportunities to innovate and grow the product through new services and value drivers for clients

You manage research project teams (2-4 staff), providing tailored coaching to develop individual staff, including managers with their own teams

You ensure terrain projects are completed on time and consistent with EAB’s quality standards

You lead and deliver a set of your own research and product projects

Qualification

Strategic advisory mindsetResearch leadershipEducation industry expertiseProduct strategyData visualizationClient engagementQuantitative data analysisTeam managementPresentation skillsCollaboration skillsWritten communicationFacilitation skills

Required

Bachelor's degree, with an excellent academic record

8-10+ years of post-Bachelor's work experience

In-depth understanding of education industry and the specific role that CBOs and COOs play in strategy, decision making, and operations

Superior verbal, written, facilitation, and presentation skills

Ability to create compelling narratives through written deliverables, data visualization, graphics, and slides

Excellent relationship building and collaboration skills

Willingness to travel up to 30%

Experience with at least three of the following: Administration and business management, Facilities and operations management, IT and data strategy, Management or strategy consulting, Product strategy, market positioning, or brand management, People/team management, 2-year or 4-year education, Long-term or primary and secondary research

Preferred

Advanced degree or equivalent experience demonstrating strategic, analytical, and business problem-solving capability (MBA, MPP, JD, PhD, or similar)

Background in quantitative data analyses, especially using national data sources like IPEDS

Experience working with client executives, either at a college or university, or as a consultant or advisor

Experience piloting and deploying internal AI support tools

Demonstrated ability to distill market and terrain insights, drawing on client interactions

Experience producing written content and deliverables for an executive-level audience (e.g., blogs, briefings, presentations)

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

Benefits

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