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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$140K - $180K *

Lead the charge in managing a high-performing Distributed Research team, defining strategy and collaboration for large-scale data collection, while enhancing operational processes and ensuring impactf...

Boston, MARemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at Army formations by leading the autonomy integration campaign. Drive customer relationships, oversee pipeline management, and convert prototypes into funded positions while shapi...

Michigan, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $120K *

Accelerate progress at the intersection of media and healthcare by leading integrated planning and strategy for pharmaceutical clients. Drive impactful engagement initiatives while mentoring a talente...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Champion regulatory strategy and submissions for clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical programs. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure compliance and quality in regulatory communications, while leadin...

Cambridge, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $190K *

Join a transformative team dedicated to driving strategic client growth and enterprise adoption of innovative solutions, while fostering executive relationships and orchestrating cross-functional init...

Tucson, AZRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$181K - $225K *

Lead the charge in operationalizing complex clinical studies globally, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance proposal development and manage global lab relationships, ensuring strategic...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$181K - $225K *

Lead the charge in advancing scientific operations within a dynamic team, driving global lab relationships and supporting complex clinical studies. Collaborate across functions to ensure strategic, op...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$182K - $215K *

Transform executive engagement by building strategic advisor relationships, designing impactful experiences, and leveraging industry insights to elevate pay governance as a strategic priority for clie...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead a high-performing team to manage comprehensive patient services, focusing on strategic operations, client relationships, and compliance. Ensure program performance meets KPIs while driving contin...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the creation of impactful scientific content, enhancing medical education and patient outcomes. Collaborate cross-functionally, mentor writers, and drive excellence in heal...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$215K - $240K *

Shape the future of drug development by leading analytical strategies, ensuring compliance and optimization of processes across lifecycle stages, and collaborating with cross-functional teams and exte...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$129K - $162K *

Unlock potential by leading enterprise-wide Cost of Care solutions. Drive scalability, optimize deployment, and enhance operational effectiveness across diverse markets, collaborating with stakeholder...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $180K *

Shape the future of neuroscience by leveraging AI to enhance research methodologies. Collaborate with experts to define benchmarks, analyze data, and ensure AI agents meet rigorous scientific standard...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $135K *

Collaborate to design a centralized operations portfolio management framework, ensuring alignment across product delivery and operational initiatives. Lead strategic planning to drive efficiency and t...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

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

$160K - $175K *

Unlock your potential as a leader in training development, overseeing curriculum design and delivery. Drive continuous improvement and ensure high-quality training programs that align with operational...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $135K *

Elevate assessment innovation by leading AI-driven solutions for item development. Collaborate across programs, implement efficient workflows, and ensure quality in educational assessments while drivi...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$135K - $160K *

Grow your career with a senior leadership role driving a high-performing project management team, ensuring successful execution of clinical studies while managing resources, performance, and client sa...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$195K - $277K *

Champion clinical oncology studies by designing protocols, collaborating with teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Leverage expertise to analyze data, support publications, and maintain re...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$175K - $210K *

Lead the global intellectual property strategy for groundbreaking AI infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to protect and leverage IP assets, driving innovation and aligning with bus...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$256K - $288K *

Lead the charge in clinical trial oversight and data interpretation, ensuring safety and efficacy of pipeline products through expert collaboration and strategic planning, aligning clinical activities...

Waltham, MARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$246K - $332K *

Shape the future of health economics and outcomes research by leading strategic initiatives across the nephrology portfolio, ensuring high-quality evidence generation and collaboration with cross-func...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $228K *

Drive enterprise Quality and Regulatory governance for U.S. operations, ensuring compliance with FDA regulations and overseeing manufacturing quality in the therapeutic radiopharmaceutical sector whil...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $125K *

Manage a team of medical writers to develop impactful scientific content, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Collaborate with clients and cross-functional teams to drive medical strategies and delivera...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of higher education by leading strategic initiatives and government affairs. Collaborate across teams to drive revenue opportunities and influence policy, ensuring impactful solutions...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$195K - $245K *

Champion AI strategy and implementation in healthcare, leading a team to deliver measurable value. Drive business development, client engagement, and practice growth while shaping innovative solutions...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.