Director – Market Research

Risepoint assists primarily regional universities in increasing their access and impact by making their academic programs available to students online. Founded in 2007, Risepoint's mission is to expand access to high-quality, affordable, and workforce-relevant education, especially for working and adult students. Risepoint brings single-minded dedication to student success, an integrated set of services, and data-driven performance to our collaboration with university partners.

 The Product Innovation team supports the strategy and design of innovative learning solutions at the intersection of higher education, alternative credentials, employer markets and workforce development. This role works across all teams - market research, product marketing and other Risepoint units - to identify, design and grow scalable, skills-based, and career-connected learning solutions. 

Job Summary

The Director, Market Research and Strategy plays a lead role within the Product Innovation team, responsible for conducting market research and recommending strategic opportunity areas based on results to support innovation initiatives (domestic and international) and core programming (international). This individual must bring contextual fluency—the ability to interpret complex data, shifting market signals, and institutional nuances—to generate actionable insights that inform strategic direction for product verticals or Partners.

A seasoned and analytical thinker, the Director will go beyond traditional research practices, drawing from diverse data sources to surface emerging trends, solve problems, and uncover growth opportunities. This role demands a forward-looking mindset and the capability to independently lead initiatives that influence enterprise-wide innovation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Description

• Conduct market research: Leverage a deep understanding of market research methodologies, best practices, and industry trends to design and oversee comprehensive research projects.
• Conduct comprehensive analyses of various international markets including UK, Australia, APEC region, the Middle East, other areas, and markets TBD. 
• Present research findings to internal leadership as well as external university partner stakeholders such as university administrative and academic leadership.
• Identify and compile data insights to support business development and pilot program efforts. Build narratives in collaboration with product strategy and finance teams using predictive analytics to identify opportunities. 
• Strategic thinking - Ability to think strategically, translate research insights into recommendations that inform learning solutions for our partners that drive business growth and decision-making. Ability to evaluate opportunities with data and logic that may be outside the box and represent new approaches to evaluating opportunities and potential. 
• Stay informed of the latest trends in related markets, tools and activities. Proactively share new and emerging opportunities and risks in higher education as it relates to product innovation, workforce aligned learning and news related to our current and potential partners.   
• Leverage the latest in market research tools and AI supports as it relates to product innovation, workforce aligned learning and current and potential partner success.  
• Communicate compelling recommendations to internal and external stakeholders to that inform innovative solutions and strategies in the Product Innovation space.
• Manage other 3rd party vendors as appropriate.
• While not directly overseeing employees, provide a nurturing environment to junior analysts and support in training as needed.

Additional Position Responsibilities

• Perform in accordance with Risepoint Policies
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s Degree

Minimum 7 years Market research and/or business analytics experience in service of business strategy

Experience in any of the following: higher education markets – domestic and international, workforce education market, non-degree or skills-based learning markets

Deep experience and knowledge with labor market and higher education information from IPEDs, Lightcast, EMSI, BLS and other untapped data sources. Experience with comparable data sources in international markets particularly, UK, Australia, Middle East and APEC markets.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

Excel, PowerPoint skills 

Experience using  

Tableau, Power BI or other comparable business intelligence tools

 Working knowledge of basic statistical approaches to data analysis  

 Excellent communications skills and attention to detail 

Risepoint is an equal opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an equitable environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws.

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