Director of Research Jobs

Explore Director of Research opportunities on Ladders, where professionals can find vetted roles paying $100,000 or more. Directors of Research lead teams and programs that turn complex questions into reliable insights, discoveries, and strategic recommendations. Positions span industries including healthcare, biotechnology, technology, finance, academia, and market research.

What Does a Director of Research Do?

A Director of Research sets priorities and guides the design, execution, and communication of research. Depending on the organization, the role may oversee scientific studies, product research, analytics, customer insights, or policy work. Typical responsibilities include managing research teams and budgets, selecting methods and tools, ensuring data quality and ethical practices, and presenting findings to executive stakeholders.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek substantial experience in a relevant research discipline, a record of leading projects or teams, and strong analytical and communication skills. Many roles require an advanced degree, though expectations vary by field. Familiarity with research methods, statistical analysis, data governance, and relevant industry regulations can also be important.

Career Opportunities and Compensation

Director-level research roles offer opportunities to shape organizational strategy, build high-performing teams, and influence decisions through evidence and innovation. Compensation depends on factors such as industry, location, scope, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced candidates explore research leadership opportunities that match their goals.

Find Director of Research Jobs on Ladders

Search Director of Research jobs on Ladders to discover senior opportunities across organizations and industries. Review role requirements, compare positions, and find a research leadership role aligned with your expertise and career plans.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$140K - $190K *

Join a team that's pioneering maritime awareness solutions by leading commercial sales in diverse sectors. Own the end-to-end sales pipeline, identify target verticals, and shape strategies to drive s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$109K - $164K *

Drive advanced digital forensics and incident response initiatives while mentoring a skilled engineering team. Leverage deep technical knowledge to enhance operational capabilities and ensure exceptio...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$129K - $190K *

Empower cross-functional teams by providing expert legal counsel on product development, privacy, and compliance in the ad-tech space. Collaborate closely with engineering, marketing, and product team...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$230K - $360K *

Elevate the quality of recommendations by leading human evaluation programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, execute, and refine evaluation frameworks that enhance user experience a...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$190K - $240K *

Champion the design and engineering of a cutting-edge perfusion system, leading a team to innovate and scale operations while ensuring quality and reliability in medical device manufacturing...

New Haven, CTRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $235K *

Join a team that's redefining business processes through digital transformation. Lead cross-functional initiatives, ensuring scalable and standardized practices that align with strategic goals while f...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $130K *

Create and lead pioneering research initiatives in hair biology, directing collaborations and innovative experiments to discover new targets and enhance scalp health. Drive preclinical studies and mai...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$95K - $115K *

Unlock the potential of implementation science as a Senior Program Analyst, driving quality improvement and program evaluation initiatives. Manage processes, databases, and reporting to enhance projec...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Contribute to strategic leadership in engineering management, aligning execution with business goals. Drive portfolio success, enhance client satisfaction, and empower teams to optimize performance in...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to drive operational excellence across Business Units, ensuring accurate forecasting, insightful reporting, and effective execution. Collaborate closely with GMs to enhance perform...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$255K - $335K *

Transform the oncology development landscape by leading clinical trials, integrating teams, and driving innovative strategies that meet patient needs while optimizing project execution and collaborati...

South San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$127K *

Champion a dynamic team of research contracts professionals, leading negotiations on complex agreements while fostering collaboration and operational excellence in a fast-paced environment...

Notre Dame, INRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$147K - $217K *

Lead transformative analytics initiatives in life sciences, driving innovation and client success. Mentor teams, enhance measurement standards, and collaborate cross-functionally to deliver actionable...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$182K - $216K *

Drive operational excellence by leading a 150+ member team, optimizing workflows, and enhancing member experiences through strategic program development and data-driven insights...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$108K - $167K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing patient care through clinical leadership and operational excellence. Drive quality improvement initiatives and support compliance across multiple bases while...

New York, USRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$199K - $269K *

Grow your career with a leadership role in AI Digital Product Management, driving strategy and innovation across a portfolio of AI products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $285K *

Advance regulatory strategies for global CMC submissions, managing cross-functional collaboration and internal processes to meet compliance with health authority standards, while leveraging strong com...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $150K *

Innovate your career with a strategic role focused on omnichannel marketing. Lead data-driven insights and creative recommendations for a top financial services brand, collaborating across teams to en...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $135K *

Lead the charge in developing and managing enterprise proposals and plans, ensuring compliance and quality across submissions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance win strategies and dri...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$165K - $200K *

Lead the charge in driving commercial activation and revenue growth for a multi-million-dollar portfolio, leveraging strategic insights and AI to enhance client engagement and deliver measurable resul...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $162K *

Deliver exceptional customer service by managing maintenance operations and support activities. Collaborate with teams to ensure timely resolution of issues while leading talent development and execut...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Lead product strategy for cloud-native vault solutions, driving effective secrets management and session control. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security offerings while ensuring h...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$203K - $305K *

Elevate your career by leading medical affairs strategy and evidence generation. Collaborate across divisions to enhance product safety, innovation, and clinician education while guiding a team of Med...

Illinois, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $150K *

Elevate your career by leading innovative research initiatives that shape industry strategies. Collaborate with top brands, utilizing your expertise in qualitative and quantitative methods to deliver...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $160K *

Lead engineering efforts by writing production code and mentoring a team. Drive modernization initiatives through Java microservices while managing performance and growth of engineers. Collaborate wit...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Director of Research do?question toggle

    A Director of Research leads research strategy and execution, manages teams and resources, ensures the quality and integrity of findings, and communicates results to decision-makers. Specific responsibilities vary by industry and organization.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Director of Research jobs?question toggle

    Requirements often include deep experience in a relevant research field and a history of managing projects or teams. An advanced degree is common in some scientific and academic roles, while other employers prioritize equivalent industry expertise.

  • How much do Director of Research jobs pay?question toggle

    Pay varies by industry, location, employer, and role scope. Ladders lists vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including eligible Director of Research opportunities.

  • Where can Directors of Research work?question toggle

    Directors of Research work across fields such as biotechnology, healthcare, technology, finance, academia, government, and market research.

  • How can I find Director of Research jobs?question toggle

    Browse Director of Research listings on Ladders, review the qualifications and responsibilities for each position, and apply to roles that fit your experience and career goals.