Research Jobs in Herndon, VA

By joining the National Student Clearinghouse, you can be sure that the work you do now will help shape the future of education and the workforce in the U.S. As the trusted source for higher education data since 1993, the Clearinghouse is the leading provider of transcript and data exchange services, automated enrollment and degree verifications, learner insights and research, and compliance solutions for schools, businesses, and learners nationwide. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Clearinghouse works with nearly 3,600 postsecondary institutions to meet their compliance needs and with thousands of high schools and districts to provide continuing collegiate enrollment, progression, and completion statistics about their alumni. In addition, the Research Center publications inform policymakers and business leaders about student educational pathways. Using our unique combination of data, analytics, and software to drive our mission, security and privacy is paramount. Join us as we continue to invest in our talent and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data on behalf of all learners.

About the Role:

The Senior Specialist, Business Development is responsible for identifying, engaging, and advancing new business opportunities for the Clearinghouse’s Custom Research solutions and data-driven offerings across targeted markets. This role focuses on executing business development strategies to expand presence within existing verticals and support entry into new markets and client segments.

The Senior Specialist partners closely with internal stakeholders to understand how custom research and education data can be leveraged to deliver actionable market intelligence for institutions, organizations, and public sector clients.

This role requires experience in consultative, solution-based business development and the ability to translate complex data solutions into clear business value. The ideal candidate brings strong relationship-management skills, solid technical acumen, and experience progressing business development opportunities while consistently contributing to sales performance goals.

Currently, this is a remote-first position, and this position may be required to periodically work on-site at our office and the frequency would depend on the department/division's requirements. Therefore, candidates must either reside within a reasonable distance to commute to our office or be willing to travel to our office in Herndon, when required.

How You Contribute:

• Demonstrate the Clearinghouse's core competencies: Customer Focus, Optimizes Work Processes, Collaborates, Communicates Effectively, and Be Open and Authentic.
• Execute business development strategies to identify and pursue opportunities for Custom Research and related data solutions within assigned markets.
• Identify, qualify, and advance prospective clients through proactive outreach, networking, events, and lead generation efforts.
• Support a consultative, solution-oriented sales process by uncovering client needs and contributing to tailored, mutually beneficial solutions.
• Lead the development of presentations, proposals, and materials that communicate business value, operational impact, and return on investment.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, primarily at the mid-to-senior level within client organizations.
• Address customer inquiries by contributing to the development of solutions aligned with regulatory, operational, and technical requirements.
• Partner with internal teams (product, legal, marketing, finance, and customer support) to support deal progression and successful client outcomes.
• Maintain and regularly update sales pipeline activity and forecasts within department systems.
• Contribute to achieving individual and team business development goals.
• Monitor market trends and share insights related to opportunities for Custom Research and data services.
• Participate in internal meetings, business reviews, and planning discussions by providing updates on pipeline activity and market feedback.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of Clearinghouse solutions, including Custom Research and related data offerings, and effectively communicate their application to client needs.
• Bring energy, curiosity, and professionalism to client and internal interactions, including presentations and discussions.
• Build rapport with clients and internal stakeholders through active listening, thoughtful questioning, and clear communication.

Position may be required to perform other duties as required. These essential functions are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Bachelors degree in business, analytics, information systems, or any related field. A combination of education and experience including military service will also be considered.
• 6 years direct and relevant experience in professional business development.
• Demonstrated ability to meet or contribute to achieving sales or business development targets.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong consultative selling and solution development skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
• Solid analytical, problem-solving, and organizational capabilities.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and contribute to shared objectives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and CRM tools such as Salesforce.
• Demonstrates the Clearinghouse’s core competencies: customer focus, optimizes work processes, communicates effectively, collaborates, and is open and authentic.
• Must live within a commutable distance to Herndon, VA or in one of the Clearinghouse's approved States for hiring purposes. Refer to our HR Policies Page, located on our Careers site at https://www.studentclearinghouse.org/careers/human-resource-policies/, for more details.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We do not intend to sponsor external applicants for work visas, and may consider sponsorship only if no qualified candidates can be found who are authorized to work without sponsorship.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Additional Desired Requirements

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Familiarity with commercializing data, research, or analytics-based products.
• Exposure to regulated industries such as education, government, financial services, or workforce development.
• Familiarity with public sector (FED/SLED) environments is a plus.
• Experience working with or learning new systems and tools.
• Experience supporting business development opportunities in data, analytics, SaaS, or research-based solutions.

Physical Demands:

• Use of a computer for 8 or more hours a day.
• Use of a telephone and/or copy machine.
• Frequently required to sit for 7 or more hours per day.
• Occasionally required to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, and reach.
• Vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to travel nationally by plane, train, or car up to 50% of the time, including occasional evenings or weekends.

Benefits and Related Information

The National Student Clearinghouse provides a robust benefit program designed to help meet the needs of each employee and their family, both now and in the future. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life and disability insurance benefits, for employees and their qualified dependents. Health care, dependent care, and limited purpose flexible spending accounts, as well as a health savings account with annual employer contributions of $300 for employees and $600 for employees who are enrolled with their spouse and/or dependents, voluntary supplemental health plans for Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage, and infertility coverage are options available for employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars for certain qualifying expenses. We offer a very generous 401k matching contribution program with the opportunity to defer pre-tax and Roth contributions, as well as catch-up contributions for those who are eligible! We are proud to offer a competitive paid leave program consisting of vacation, sick, and personal time, as well as paid holidays, up to 3 weeks of paid parental leave during a 12-month period , and up to 5 days of paid military leave per calendar year . Vacation time will accrue based on length of service, and new full-time hires can accrue up to 13 days of vacation and up to 10 days of sick time per year. On an annual basis, new employees may use up to 32 hours of accrued sick time as personal time. Additionally, the Clearinghouse observes at least 15 paid holidays per year, including company year-end close between Christmas and New Years Holidays.

Another perk is that employees have the option to get reimbursed for basic wholesale company and roadside assistance memberships (e.g., Costco and AAA) and to request a buy back on portions of unused accrued vacation based on tenure and certain other qualifications. Employees can further their education and professional development by using our Employee Education Assistance Program, which establishes reimbursement for qualified education expenses upon successful completion of the program, and leveraging the enterprise-wide LinkedIn Learning subscription. There are additional employee benefits too, including but not limited to, mental health with up to eight free therapy sessions for employees and their family members and well-being reward benefits. With the Clearinghouse being an eligible 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization, employees are eligible for service credit towards the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). To find out more, please request a copy of our Benefits at a Glance!

Additionally, we reasonably believe that the salary range for this position is between $96,000 and $125,000. Eligible for incentive compensation.

The pay range listed above represents a good faith estimate and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The National Student Clearinghouse considers multiple factors when determining base pay for offers, including but not limited to the responsibilities and scope of the role, as well as a candidate’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Internal Candidates: If you feel you meet the qualifications for the role, we strongly encourage you to apply and focus on preparing for the application process. Finalist internal candidates will receive a compensation review prior to any offer being made. In accordance with the Clearinghouse’s compensation and promotion guidelines, internal compensation practices will be applied first, which may result in pay that differs from the posted salary range.

This job announcement was posted to the National Student Clearinghouse’s Careers site at www.studentclearinghouse.org/careers on 7/7/2026 and the online application period will be open for at least 3 days from this posting date. A completed online application is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities: The National Student Clearinghouse is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status (or known to have a spousal, family, business, social or other relationship or association with a protected veteran), sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, natural hairstyle, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

Pay Transparency Notice: The National Student Clearinghouse is a federal contractor that abides by all applicable equal opportunity laws and regulations. Under these laws, companies doing business with the federal government must provide applicants and employees with certain policies, including the following information. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)