Director, Research Advisory Services
EAB, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Director, Research Advisory Services
EAB Research Advisory Services is a division that provides consultative support and expert advice to higher‑education and K‑12 institutions. RAS staff work directly with boards, presidents, and other senior academic and business leaders to help them solve their most pressing financial and mission‑consequential issues. The role spends approximately 80% of its time in the market, working with partners both in‑person and virtually, and requires 40–50% travel. Locations include Washington, D.C.; Richmond, VA; or remote within the continental United States. This position is also open at the Associate Director level.
Primary Responsibilities
Terrain Mastery:
Build and maintain expertise across research terrains that matter to university executive cabinets, including policy, emerging AI, enrollment and admissions technology, tech‑enabled teaching and learning, instructional design and assessment, student success architecture, financial sustainability, and advancement strategy. Deliver dynamic strategies and provide partners with EAB’s perspective to guide transformation.
Content Delivery & Facilitation:
Diagnose partner problems, challenge assumptions, guide decisions, and suggest solutions. Deliver EAB’s point of view through phone consultations, virtual meetings, conferences, and on‑campus presentations, making insights accessible, actionable, and advocating for adoption while building consensus.
Customer Success & Commercial Support:
Collaborate with the research customer success team to execute a scalable partner delivery model and support new partner development.
Research Collaboration:
Leverage terrain expertise to generate original content (blog posts, social media, briefings, presentations, etc.), actively participate in ongoing research processes, and share market insights with colleagues to inform future EAB insights and deliverables.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree with an excellent academic record and 6–8+ years of post‑graduate professional experience.
Experience working with client executives in higher education or as a consultant or advisor.
Superior verbal, written, facilitation, and presentation skills.
Ability to create compelling narratives through data visualization, graphics, and slides.
Excellent relationship‑building and collaboration skills; ability to engage and challenge senior‑level executives.
Ideal Qualifications
Advanced degree.
In‑depth understanding of the education industry and how senior institutional leaders set strategy and make decisions.
Demonstrated ability to distill market and terrain insights from client interactions.
Experience producing written content and deliverables for an executive‑level audience (e.g., blogs, briefs, reports).
Commitment to continual learning and contributing to a culture of fairness, authenticity, and belonging.
Compensation The anticipated starting salary (base) range for this role is $76,500–$115,000 per year. Actual salary varies due to factors such as experience, skills, and location.
Eligible for discretionary bonus or incentive compensation, variable based on individual and organizational performance.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; dependents and domestic partners eligible.
20+ days of PTO annually plus paid holidays.
Daytime leave policy for community service and flextime for fitness activities (up to 10 hours per month).
401(k) retirement savings plan with discretionary annual 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.
Wellness programs including gym discounts, health promotion incentives, and sleep/meditation app access.
Fertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance.
Paid parental leave with phased return to work for birthing and non‑birthing parents.
Milk shipping service for nursing employees during business travel.
Discounted pet health insurance for dogs and cats.
Company‑provided life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Financial wellness resources and employee discount program.
Access to employee resource groups, merit‑based advancement, and professional growth opportunities.
Benefits commence day one; learn more at eab.com/careers/benefits.
Visa Sponsorship This opening is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time; we consider candidates who possess U.S. work authorization that does not require employment‑based visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Equal Opportunity Employer At EAB, we believe that to fulfill our mission to “make education smarter and our communities stronger” we need team members who bring diverse perspectives and are committed to fostering a workplace where each person is valued, respected, and heard. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We do not 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 law.
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Primary Responsibilities
Terrain Mastery:
Build and maintain expertise across research terrains that matter to university executive cabinets, including policy, emerging AI, enrollment and admissions technology, tech‑enabled teaching and learning, instructional design and assessment, student success architecture, financial sustainability, and advancement strategy. Deliver dynamic strategies and provide partners with EAB’s perspective to guide transformation.
Content Delivery & Facilitation:
Diagnose partner problems, challenge assumptions, guide decisions, and suggest solutions. Deliver EAB’s point of view through phone consultations, virtual meetings, conferences, and on‑campus presentations, making insights accessible, actionable, and advocating for adoption while building consensus.
Customer Success & Commercial Support:
Collaborate with the research customer success team to execute a scalable partner delivery model and support new partner development.
Research Collaboration:
Leverage terrain expertise to generate original content (blog posts, social media, briefings, presentations, etc.), actively participate in ongoing research processes, and share market insights with colleagues to inform future EAB insights and deliverables.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree with an excellent academic record and 6–8+ years of post‑graduate professional experience.
Experience working with client executives in higher education or as a consultant or advisor.
Superior verbal, written, facilitation, and presentation skills.
Ability to create compelling narratives through data visualization, graphics, and slides.
Excellent relationship‑building and collaboration skills; ability to engage and challenge senior‑level executives.
Ideal Qualifications
Advanced degree.
In‑depth understanding of the education industry and how senior institutional leaders set strategy and make decisions.
Demonstrated ability to distill market and terrain insights from client interactions.
Experience producing written content and deliverables for an executive‑level audience (e.g., blogs, briefs, reports).
Commitment to continual learning and contributing to a culture of fairness, authenticity, and belonging.
Compensation The anticipated starting salary (base) range for this role is $76,500–$115,000 per year. Actual salary varies due to factors such as experience, skills, and location.
Eligible for discretionary bonus or incentive compensation, variable based on individual and organizational performance.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; dependents and domestic partners eligible.
20+ days of PTO annually plus paid holidays.
Daytime leave policy for community service and flextime for fitness activities (up to 10 hours per month).
401(k) retirement savings plan with discretionary annual 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.
Wellness programs including gym discounts, health promotion incentives, and sleep/meditation app access.
Fertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance.
Paid parental leave with phased return to work for birthing and non‑birthing parents.
Milk shipping service for nursing employees during business travel.
Discounted pet health insurance for dogs and cats.
Company‑provided life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Financial wellness resources and employee discount program.
Access to employee resource groups, merit‑based advancement, and professional growth opportunities.
Benefits commence day one; learn more at eab.com/careers/benefits.
Visa Sponsorship This opening is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time; we consider candidates who possess U.S. work authorization that does not require employment‑based visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Equal Opportunity Employer At EAB, we believe that to fulfill our mission to “make education smarter and our communities stronger” we need team members who bring diverse perspectives and are committed to fostering a workplace where each person is valued, respected, and heard. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We do not 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 law.
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