Senior Higher Education Strategy Consultant

Objective: Engage a senior-level higher education strategy consultant or boutique consulting partner to lead program portfolio strategy, market analysis, financial modeling, and stakeholder alignment for system-wide initiatives.

Key Capabilities to Look For:

● Strategic Facilitation: Proven experience leading system-wide strategy sessions with provosts, deans, and campus leadership to align objectives and governance.

● Market Intelligence: Ability to conduct deep market and enrollment analysis using IPEDS, Lightcast, Burning Glass, and institutional data, translating findings into actionable insights.

● Financial Modeling Expertise: Build multi-scenario ROI and breakeven models factoring tuition, retention, marketing, and faculty load; deliver clear, board-level financial recommendations.

● Portfolio Roadmapping: Facilitate prioritization workshops and develop term-by-term implementation roadmaps for program rollout.

● Executive Presence: Skilled at presenting to university leadership and driving consensus across multiple stakeholders.

Preferred Profile:

● Experience: 10–15+ years in higher education strategy consulting, institutional research leadership, or academic portfolio planning.

● Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of online learning, continuing education, and workforce-aligned programming.

● Engagement Style: Collaborative, able to integrate with Hurix’s internal teams and work in co-creation mode with client leadership.

● Deliverable Focused: Strong track record of producing actionable engagement charters, market opportunity reports, and 5-year pro formas. Time Period: 150 to 200 hrs of work over 2 to 3 months.

Strategic Discovery & Portfolio Planning (6–8 Weeks)

Purpose

Align System leadership and campus stakeholders on which programs to launch online, when, and why, ensuring that investment decisions are grounded in market demand and financial viability.

Activities & Deliverables

1. Kickoff Workshops (Weeks 0–1)

○ Facilitate a System-wide strategy session to align leadership, campus stakeholders, and Hurix teams.

○ Deliverable: Engagement Charter outlining objectives, success metrics, governance, and communication plan.

2. Market Analysis & Environmental Scan (Weeks 1–3)

○ Analyze regional/national demand trends using IPEDS, Lightcast, Burning Glass, and enrollment data.

○ Deliverable: Market Opportunity Report ranking programs by projected enrollment, workforce alignment, and competitive differentiation. 3. Financial Modeling (Weeks 3–5)

○ Build multi-scenario ROI and breakeven models considering tuition rates, course development cost, faculty load, marketing investment, and expected retention rates.

○ Deliverable: 5-Year Pro Forma with sensitivity analysis (baseline, optimistic, conservative).

4. Program Prioritization & Roadmap (Weeks 5–8)

○ Facilitate decision-making sessions with provosts, deans, and campus leads.

○ Deliverable: Portfolio Roadmap sequencing programs/courses by term, recommended delivery format, and resource requirements.

You must take the necessary steps to safeguard the integrity, security, and confidentiality of shared confidential information.

For additional information on Hurix, please visit: https://www.hurix.com/life-at-hurix/