Higher Education Strategy Associates
Full-time, Permanent / Indefinite
Location: Toronto, ON

See below for application instructions.

Higher Education Strategy Associates is looking for a Senior Research Associate. This position, which reports to the Vice-President, will lead research workstreams on client engagements and play a key role in shaping and delivering our research and consulting products.

This role is for an experienced researcher who is ready to take ownership of significant parts of client projects. We are looking for someone who has already managed the demands and nuances of project-driven work, whether in consulting, government, a postsecondary institution or a research organization. The Senior Research Associate will design and lead research components, manage timelines and deliverables, serve as a day-to-day point of contact for clients, and guide the work of Research Associates. They will author reports and publications, contribute to proposals and business development, and help shape how we work. The incumbent will join an influential consulting firm with a social purpose and an extensive portfolio of clients across Canada and internationally.

Our ideal candidate works independently and exercises sound judgment, can lead several projects and deadlines at once, and has in-depth knowledge of the Canadian higher education system, including its governance, funding and policy environment. Key demonstrable competencies are:

• A high level of professionalism in conduct and communications, including with senior institutional and government leaders.
• Demonstrated experience leading research projects or major project components from design to final deliverable, including managing scope, timelines and quality.
• Experience mentoring, supervising or directing the work of junior colleagues, and giving clear, constructive feedback.
• Ability to translate a client’s question into a sound research design, select appropriate methods, and anticipate issues before they arise.
• Organization skills to sequence tasks across multiple concurrent projects, make efficient use of time, and manage information effectively.
• Commitment and skill with regard to questions of inclusivity, diversity and equity.
• Capacity to build and manage client relationships, act as a day-to-day point of contact, and respond to client needs with judgment and tact.
• Advanced skills in identifying, retrieving and critically assessing primary and secondary literature, statistics, financial and other data pertinent to higher education in Canada and internationally.
• Solid capacity to analyze institutional and government budgets and financial data.
• Ability to synthesize complex findings into clear analysis and actionable recommendations for client audiences, through reports, briefing notes and presentations supported by effective data visualization (e.g., using Excel and Tableau).
• Experience designing and conducting interviews, focus groups and consultations with senior stakeholders, including executive leaders at higher education institutions.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to review and strengthen the work of others.
• Openness to feedback and a commitment to continuous learning.

Other competencies that would be assets include:

• Fluency in French or other languages in addition to English.
• Advanced quantitative or qualitative analysis skills, using tools such as R, Stata, SPSS, or Python.
• Experience in survey design and administration, including instrument development and sampling.
• Experience contributing to proposals, work plans and budgets for competitive bids or RFPs.
• Experience facilitating workshops, focus groups or planning sessions with senior audiences, online and in person.
• Prior consulting experience, or experience working in or with postsecondary institutions or government.

Other important attributes are:

• A strong interest in Canadian and global higher education policy and an informed perspective on the issues facing the sector;
• Must be able to work in our Toronto office at least half time (with allowances made for changing public health conditions);
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to keep work moving under competing priorities and, at points, short deadlines.