Principal, Postsecondary Value and Public Trust

The Role

ITHAKA is seeking a Principal to join Ithaka S+R, the research and consulting group that informs policy, guides strategies, and builds evidence-based tools to broaden access to postsecondary education, improve student and workforce outcomes, and advance scholarship. The Principal role will lead work related to Postsecondary Value and Public Trust, a growing area focused on understanding and strengthening the economic, social, and civic value of postsecondary education.

The Postsecondary Value and Public Trust program examines whether—and how—higher education is living up to its public mission. Projects in this area address questions of costs, finance, and affordability; economic returns to education; social and civic outcomes; and the conditions required to sustain public trust in colleges and universities. Outputs enable state agency leaders, policymakers, and postsecondary advocates to evaluate value and make evidence-informed decisions about investments, strategic directions, and policies.

As a Principal, you will pursue a portfolio of mission-aligned work with significant autonomy and responsibility for securing revenue to ensure portfolio sustainability and growth. You will develop and lead projects funded by a mix of philanthropic support and contracts with state agencies and individual institutions, and you will play a key role in moving work from philanthropic start-up funding to scalable, semi-custom, or replicable products and services. You will serve as a thought leader in the field and deepen Ithaka S+R’s relationship with the philanthropic, academic, and policy communities in your area.

The Principal is an integral member of Ithaka S+R and will contribute to the organization’s strategic direction. This position will report to Ithaka S+R's Senior Director and Head of Strategy and collaborate closely with senior leaders and the Managing Director on portfolio development, business strategy, and organizational priorities.

The deadline to apply for this position is Tuesday, April 28, 2026. 

Responsibilities 

Portfolio leadership and business development

• Develop, pursue, and lead a portfolio of research, advisory, and implementation projects focused on postsecondary value, public trust, and related finance and policy issues, with accountability for revenue, impact, and performance.
• Secure new business by preparing proposals and budgets, pitching philanthropic funders, and actively pursuing contracts with state agencies and institutions.
• Design and steward a revenue cycle in which philanthropic start-up funds support the development of new tools, frameworks, or approaches that can later be transitioned into semi-custom or replicable products and services for broader adoption.
• Leverage existing relationships and serve as a primary relationship holder with funders, state agencies, system leaders, and institutional partners, cultivating long-term collaborations that support sustained impact.

Research, policy, and consulting leadership

• Translate and amplify Ithaka S+R's research findings into actionable insights for policymakers, institutional leaders, and other decision-makers.
• Stay abreast of emerging policy debates, research findings, and innovations related to postsecondary value and integrate those insights into project design and execution.
• Serve as a visible thought leader in research, policy, and practice communities through publications, presentations, and external engagement.

People and organizational leadership

• Manage and grow a team of researchers, project managers, and consultants, including supervising managers and supporting staff development.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that emphasizes quality, learning, and accountability.
• Collaborate with Ithaka S+R leadership, finance, and operations to track portfolio performance and ensure financial targets are met.

Occasional travel, comprising less than 10% of the time, may be necessary, with a primary focus on visits to our Michigan and New York offices.

Experience and Skills

Any combination of professional experience, volunteer work, coursework, and other transferable skills may be applied toward these qualifications. Candidates need not demonstrate all criteria to be considered for the role.

• Advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) in a relevant field, or equivalent experience, with strong communication and writing skills.
• Experience in consulting, higher education finance, and/or state or system-level policy related to postsecondary education, including relationships with relevant experts, leaders, and policymakers.
• Experience working in a state agency or in an advisory organization that works directly with state or system-level policymakers preferred.
• Research fluency, including the ability to oversee and interpret qualitative and quantitative analyses and to translate findings for non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated success in business development, including securing philanthropic funding and contract-based revenue.
• Experience managing complex portfolios and revenue cycles, ideally including work that transitions from grant-funded pilots to scalable or replicable offerings.
• Ability to lead in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and to navigate ambiguity with sound judgment.
• Strong communication skills and an established or emerging track record of thought leadership in relevant policy or research communities.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship 

ITHAKA is not currently considering candidates who require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) to work in the United States.

Compensation and Benefits

At ITHAKA we believe in openness and fair pay. Part of living those values is our commitment to clarity about salary ranges, so candidates know what to expect. The starting salary for this position ranges from $108,000 to $135,000 per year. Starting pay may vary with job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. At present, our total compensation package for benefits-eligible employees includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer-paid 10% retirement contribution, paid parental and caregiver leave, 22 days of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, up to 12 sick days, wellness benefits, and more. Please note that ITHAKA, at its discretion, may make changes to its benefits programs from time to time.