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.

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$150K - $180K *

Champion client relationships and optimize pharmaceutical distribution projects, leveraging extensive industry expertise to deliver high-quality solutions and insights while managing multiple accounts...

Florida, USRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$100K - $140K *

Drive innovative media strategies for healthcare clients, leveraging audience insights and performance data. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance planning processes and deliver impactful...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $230K *

Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing supply chain processes and enhancing materials management. Lead strategic initiatives to improve efficiency, manage supplier relationships, and drive cross-f...

Downers Grove, ILRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$270K - $280K *

Join a team that's driving clinical excellence by overseeing trial execution, managing timelines, budgets, and CROs. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure compliance and quality while mentoring team...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $232K *

Unlock potential by leading legal reviews for promotional and medical materials. Collaborate across teams to ensure compliance and provide practical guidance in a fast-paced environment, supporting pr...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$262K - $284K *

Optimize pediatric drug development strategies as a clinical pharmacology leader, overseeing pharmacometric analyses and regulatory submissions, while translating complex data into actionable decision...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Oversee a portfolio of clinical studies, ensuring compliance and quality. Lead Project Managers in executing complex trials, driving operational efficiency and client satisfaction while leveraging you...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Partner with us to drive strategic healthcare marketing initiatives. Lead client relationships, oversee peer-to-peer programs, and mentor team members to ensure compliance and achieve results while fo...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$196K - $210K *

Partner with us to shape the future of semiconductor workforce development by aligning industry needs with educational strategies, fostering partnerships, and leading initiatives that ensure technical...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$175K - $200K *

Lead the charge in optimizing biomarker program operations, ensuring seamless sample processing from collection to storage. Collaborate across teams to uphold quality and compliance while driving grow...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$298K - $340K *

Join a dynamic team to lead strategic statistical programming initiatives, ensuring top-quality deliverables and compliance across diverse clinical trials. Collaborate with cross-functional partners t...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading a cutting-edge Clinical Research Laboratory, driving innovation in testing services, and ensuring regulatory compliance while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to enh...

Chandler, AZRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$150K - $180K *

Champion innovative healthcare research by leading complex evaluations and business development initiatives, fostering collaboration among diverse experts to enhance Medicare and Medicaid services and...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$150K - $200K *

Lead the charge in delivering complex federal digital services programs, ensuring strategic direction, operational excellence, and strong customer relationships across multidisciplinary teams while ma...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$172K - $203K *

Empower the distribution strategy by designing and managing rate content across channels, ensuring accurate delivery and partner trust. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build scalable progra...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$79K - $127K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing health research through innovative statistical analysis and mentoring. Collaborate with investigators to design studies, prepare publications, and present fin...

Ann Arbor, MIRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$242K - $282K *

Lead the oversight of contractual matters across departments, serving as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders from pre-clinical to commercial readiness. This role emphasizes collaboration and ex...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$186K - $250K *

Unlock potential by leading a high-performing HEOR team to drive payer engagement and market access strategies, translating complex data into actionable insights that enhance patient access to innovat...

Raleigh, NCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$178K - $294K *

Join a team that's redefining data engineering and analytics. Lead strategy, architecture, and execution of scalable data solutions while mentoring professionals and driving business outcomes through...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Drive the planning and execution of complex therapeutic programs from discovery to clinic. Serve as a senior program management partner, ensuring successful execution and alignment across cross-functi...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $190K *

Take ownership of defining and operationalizing a customer ROI framework across teams, fostering strategic growth initiatives through measurable value outcomes while enabling effective customer engage...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$173K - $205K *

Shape the future of neurology by leading in vivo pharmacology studies, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving data-driven decisions for IND submissions in a dynamic biotech environment...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$118K - $330K *

Transform the future of insurance products by leading R&D initiatives, shaping strategy, and fostering collaboration across departments to enhance product offerings and drive profitable growth in pers...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$220K - $290K *

Accelerate the development of autonomous systems by leading systems engineering strategies, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring rigorous safety and performance standards throughout the produ...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$173K - $290K *

Join a team that's redefining strategic research by tackling complex, ambiguous challenges. Collaborate with product, design, and engineering leaders to shape impactful insights that drive business de...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

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.