Higher Education Systems Optimization Consultant

Overview

We are seeking a part-time Higher Education Systems Optimization Consultant to help establish and grow a new consulting service focused on helping colleges and universities better leverage their existing technology investments to improve student retention, student success, operational effectiveness, and institutional outcomes.

This role will focus primarily on the optimization and strategic use of core administrative and student-facing systems, including CRM and ERP platforms. The consultant will work with our team to shape the service offering, develop new business opportunities, support proposal development, and deliver client-facing consulting engagements.

This is anticipated to be a part-time consulting engagement averaging approximately 10 to 15 hours per week, with the potential to evolve into a full-time role based on mutual interest, business growth, and fit.

Travel Expectations: This role requires minimal travel, less than 10% per year. Travel to client sites can range up to 50%.

You Will

• Help define and develop a new consulting service offering focused on optimizing existing higher education systems to improve student retention, student success, and operational performance.
• Advise clients on how to better leverage CRM, ERP, and related institutional systems to support enrollment, advising, student services, finance, operations, and leadership decision-making.
• Support business development activities, including identifying market needs, shaping service offerings, participating in prospective client conversations, and helping translate institutional challenges into consulting opportunities.
• Lead or contribute to proposal development, including scope definition, approach, workplan development, pricing input, and creation of client-ready materials.
• Deliver client work, including assessments, stakeholder interviews, current-state analysis, recommendations, roadmaps, and executive-level presentations.
• Work closely with existing team members to integrate this service offering into the broader higher education consulting practice.
• Bring practical institutional perspective to client engagements, helping bridge the gap between strategy, technology, operations, and student success.
• Contribute thought leadership, market insights, and practical frameworks that help differentiate the firm’s work in higher education systems optimization.

You Have

• Senior-level experience within a higher education institution, ideally in a role connected to innovation, operations, student success, institutional effectiveness, technology optimization, enrollment, or administrative transformation.
• Strong understanding of higher education CRM, ERP, and related enterprise systems, including the organizational and process challenges that often limit their effective use.
• Demonstrated ability to work across academic, administrative, technology, and executive leadership stakeholders.
• Experience leading or supporting initiatives focused on student retention, student success, process improvement, technology adoption, data-informed decision-making, or institutional transformation.
• Ability to translate complex institutional challenges into practical, actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to facilitate discussions, develop proposals, and present to senior leaders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and interest in helping build a new consulting service line.
• Comfort working collaboratively with consultants, client executives, and institutional teams.

Compensation Details

The hourly rate for this role is $125 per hour. This rate range represents BerryDunn’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting. If an applicant possesses experience, education, or other qualifications more than the minimum requirements for this posting, that applicant is encouraged to apply, and a final rate may then be based on those additional qualifications; compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The hourly rate for the finalist selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, years of experience, depth of experience, seniority, merit, education, training, amount of travel, and other relevant business considerations. 

BerryDunn Benefits & Culture

Our people are what make BerryDunn special, and in return we strive to support our employees and help them thrive. Eligible employees have access to benefits that go beyond what’s expected to support their physical, mental, career, social, and financial well-being. Visit our website for a complete list of benefits and a look into our culture: Experience BerryDunn.

We will ensure that individuals are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process or perform essential job functions. Please contact careers@berrydunn.com to request an accommodation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

About BerryDunn

BerryDunn is the brand name under which Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, LLC and BDMP Assurance, LLP, independently owned entities, provide services. Since 1974, BerryDunn has helped businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies throughout the US and its territories solve their greatest challenges. The firm’s tax, advisory, and consulting services are provided by Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, LLC, and its attest services are provided by BDMP Assurance, LLP, a licensed CPA firm. 

BerryDunn is a client-centered, people-first professional services firm with a mission to empower the meaningful growth of our people, clients, and communities. Led by CEO Sarah Belliveau, the firm has been recognized for its efforts in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, and for its focus on learning, development, and well-being. Learn more at berrydunn.com.