[Hiring] Senior Director, Research Advisory Services @EAB

Role Description

EAB is the leading global provider of research and advice to higher education and K-12 institutions. Our research programs help executives at client organizations educate stakeholders, make research-informed decisions, and speed implementation of industry best practices.

EAB Research Advisory Services (RAS) is a division within our research business, providing consultative support and expert advice to our education clients. RAS staff work directly with boards, presidents, and other senior academic and business leaders to help them make meaningful and strategic progress toward their most pressing financial and mission-consequential issues. Through strong communication and storytelling, RAS provides high-impact, outcome-focused presentations, workshops, and unscripted conversations to help partners understand and implement EAB’s advice.

This position will spend about 80% of time in the market, working with partners both in-person and virtually. This hire may be based in Washington, DC and is also open to remote employment within the continental United States. The position requires 40-50% travel.

This role is listed as “Senior Director, Research Advisory Services Terrain Lead (Higher Ed Advancement & Strategy)” for posting purposes; the official and internal title of this hire is expected to be “Senior Director, Research Advisory Services” to align with business norms.

Position Responsibilities

• Terrain Mastery:
  • Build and maintain issue expertise in the Advancement terrain and across research terrains.
  • Focus on dynamic strategy to guide transformation, advancement and fundraising strategy, campaign readiness and execution, and donor and alumni engagement.
  • Store & curate EAB’s perspective across research terrains.
• Content Delivery and Facilitation:
  • Work directly with Partners to diagnose problems, challenge assumptions, guide decisions, and suggest solutions.
  • Deliver EAB’s point of view and advice through various formats.
  • Make EAB insights and data accessible and impactful for partners.
  • Combine functional knowledge with an understanding of higher ed’s unique organizational dynamics.
• Customer Success and Commercial Support:
  • Collaborate with the Research Customer Success team to execute on a scalable and impactful client delivery model.
  • Support sales in new client development and account management.
• Research Collaboration:
  • Leverage terrain expertise to generate original insight and content.
  • Participate in ongoing research processes and share market insights.
• Team and Talent Management:
  • Manage and motivate a team of RAS staff.
  • Onboard and upskill new staff in assigned terrains.
  • Assess performance and provide real-time feedback.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum 8-10 years of post-graduate professional experience in higher education, research, or management consulting.
• Experience working with Chief Advancement Officers, Corporate Foundation Relations leaders, or Strategy leads.
• In-depth understanding of education industry and senior institution leadership roles.
• Superior verbal, written, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to create a compelling narrative through data visualization, graphics, and slides.
• Excellent relationship building and collaboration skills.

Ideal Qualifications

• Advanced degree.
• Demonstrated ability to distill market and terrain insights.
• Experience producing written content for an executive-level audience.
• Commitment to a continual learning environment and contributing to a dynamic culture.

Compensation

The anticipated starting salary (base) range for this role is $95,000 - $140,000 per year. Actual salary varies due to factors that may include but not be limited to relevant experience, skills, and location. This hire will additionally be eligible for discretionary bonus or incentive compensation.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; dependents and domestic partners eligible.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• 20+ days of PTO annually, in addition to paid firm holidays.
• Daytime leave policy for community service or fitness activities.
• Paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents.
• Phase Back to Work program for employees returning from parental leave.
• Infertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance.
• Wellness programs including gym discounts and incentives.
• Dynamic growth opportunities with merit-based promotion philosophy.
• Benefits kick in day one.