Education Research Consulting Director

Huron • Chicago, IL

5d • $165,000 - $225,000

About The Position

Huron helps its clients drive growth, enhance performance and sustain leadership in the markets they serve. We collaborate with education organizations to develop strategies and implement solutions that enable the transformative change our clients need to own their future. Together, we empower clients to drive innovation, create sustainable funding streams and deliver better student outcomes. Today, leaders of higher education institutions and academic medical centers are spending too much time reacting to market forces, rather than focusing on the essential priorities that help students, faculty and staff thrive. The most productive path forward requires an intentional approach and innovative thinking, whereby stakeholders across the entire institution rally around a shared vision and embrace the hard work of effecting change. You’ll help our clients to achieve organizational effectiveness, improve student outcomes, implement new technologies and align resources and investments to ensure long-term sustainability. Join our team as the expert you are now and create your future. Huron is a global consultancy that collaborates with clients to drive strategic growth, ignite innovation and navigate constant change. Through a combination of strategy, expertise and creativity, we help clients accelerate operational, digital and cultural transformation, enabling the change they need to own their future. Huron’s Education & Research practice is seeking a Director to join its Clinical Research team. In this role, you will partner with senior university and hospital leaders to strengthen and transform clinical research operations across complex regulatory and operational environments. You will help shape research strategy, guide enterprise-scale change, and deliver high-impact solutions that improve performance and institutional effectiveness. As a senior leader, you will be responsible for driving client delivery excellence while cultivating executive relationships, expanding client portfolios, and developing high-performing teams. You will also contribute to firm initiatives that enhance Huron’s capabilities and culture. This role requires deep expertise in clinical research operations, governance, and regulatory compliance, along with the judgment and executive presence needed to lead multidisciplinary teams through ambiguity and change. This position is ideal for an individual motivated by meaningful impact. Someone who thrives in complex environments, is committed to developing others, and is passionate about advancing the missions of our clients within a collaborative consulting firm.

Requirements

• 10+ years of management consulting experience or progressive leadership within a clinical or academic research environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Deep expertise in clinical trial management and execution within university or healthcare settings.
• Advanced knowledge of federal regulations governing clinical research and associated compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex, enterprise-scale engagements.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop clear, compelling PowerPoint narratives and quantitative and qualitative value propositions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and articulate persuasive points of view to senior leaders.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, or related field).
• Prior consulting experience in higher education, academic medicine, or healthcare.
• Demonstrated thought leadership, including publications, conference presentations, or industry recognition.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, multidisciplinary clinical research consulting engagements from scoping through delivery and measurable impact.
• Set strategic direction across client engagements and portfolios by prioritizing initiatives, aligning work to institutional goals, and guiding enterprise-scale transformation within academic medical centers and research enterprises.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to university and hospital leadership on research strategy, governance, and regulatory compliance, translating complex federal requirements into scalable, enterprise-ready research operations.
• Build and manage a portfolio of client relationships to drive repeat work, expansion opportunities, and sustained client advocacy.
• Develop, mentor, and retain high-performing teams by defining roles, providing coaching and feedback, developing future leaders, and fostering a strong culture of collaboration.
• Contribute to EDR-C and firm-wide initiatives by shaping offerings, sharing expertise, and advancing strategic priorities beyond direct client engagements.

Benefits

• Huron Consulting Group offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage to employees and dependents; a 401(k) plan with a generous employer match; an employee stock purchase plan; a generous Paid Time Off policy; and paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
• Our Wellness Program supports employee total well-being by providing free annual health screenings and coaching, bank at work, and on-site workshops, as well as ongoing programs recognizing major events in the lives of our employees throughout the year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director