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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$133K - $150K *

Deliver a competitive total rewards program that attracts and retains talent. Oversee compensation, benefits, and compliance to ensure alignment with market standards and government regulations while...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$265K - $300K *

Shape the future of neurodegenerative disease diagnostics by leading scientific strategy, driving research programs, and building expert networks to establish industry leadership in innovative solutio...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$167K - $260K *

Shape cutting-edge advancements in AI by leading deep reasoning research and driving innovative systems, while collaborating with a dynamic team to create impactful solutions in a fast-paced environme...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$148K - $175K *

Unlock your potential as a Director, leveraging insights and expertise to guide clients in navigating complex SaaS negotiations and market trends, while driving impactful strategies that enhance busin...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$80K - $95K *

Oversee and manage all laboratory operations, ensuring compliance, quality control, and efficient workflow while leading a team to achieve strategic goals and maintain safety standards in a dynamic en...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$165K - $207K *

Transform the biosimilar portfolio by leading cross-functional teams to ensure timely development, commercialization, and lifecycle management, while aligning with market needs and operational capabil...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$270K - $500K *

Unlock innovative AI solutions as a Staff or Principal Machine Learning Engineer, focusing on research, optimization, and deployment of advanced ML systems. Drive the evolution of intelligent applicat...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Pioneer comprehensive quality and safety initiatives in pediatric healthcare, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight across inpatient and ambulatory settings to enhance patient outco...

6 days ago

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

$86K - $130K *

Drive the operational excellence of clinical research across the Department, leading strategy, compliance, and research quality initiatives while ensuring sustainable and effective trial execution in...

4 weeks ago

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

$121K - $176K *

Transform operational excellence by leading a team to implement Lean strategies, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and enhance safety, quality, and cost performance across multiple sites while...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$66K - $100K *

Contribute to the production of AAV vectors by executing laboratory protocols, managing multiple projects, and enhancing workflows. Collaborate across teams while maintaining excellent documentation a...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in driving cross-functional team effectiveness by translating complex strategies into actionable plans, managing risks, and optimizing performance to ensure alignment with enterprise o...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$191K - $253K *

Champion government relations strategies to enhance national security initiatives. Collaborate with congressional and executive branches to influence policy and funding, driving business objectives ac...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$224K - $294K *

Elevate scientific discovery by leading the computing strategy for Neural Dynamics. Oversee engineering capabilities, manage large datasets, and foster collaborations to drive breakthroughs at the int...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$146K - $170K *

Lead the charge in driving fundraising initiatives for the Do Good Institute, managing major gift portfolios while collaborating closely with various stakeholders to maximize philanthropic support and...

4 weeks ago

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

$90K - $108K *

Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring compliance in controlled research. This role involves overseeing CUI research activities, developing compliance programs, and collaborating with stakeholders t...

Today

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

$98K - $133K *

Strategize and execute multi-level computational enterprise models, leading efforts in user experience and interactive visualizations. Collaborate on research design and evaluations to support complex...

4 weeks ago

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

$155K - $194K *

Elevate program management by ensuring effective operations for clinical development teams. Collaborate with leaders to streamline processes, manage timelines, and foster a cohesive team environment...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Oversee end-to-end Sales Planning and Incentive Compensation engagements, driving customer relationships, operational excellence, and technology transformation while leading global delivery teams and...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$190K - $250K *

Unlock your potential by delivering strategic communications advice in the Healthcare sector. Lead teams, engage stakeholders, and drive business development while fostering a collaborative environmen...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$170K - $225K *

Join a team that's dedicated to fostering client relationships as a Director. Leverage your wealth management expertise to provide tailored investment advice, support client needs, and drive strategic...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$183K - $305K *

Join a team that's driving drug development excellence by leading cross-functional teams, managing strategic plans, and mentoring talent. Leverage your extensive program management expertise to influe...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Champion innovative healthcare research by leading a collaborative team focused on improving outcomes for inflammatory arthritis patients. Drive strategic initiatives, manage projects, and engage with...

Calgary, ABIn-Person

1 week ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Empower groundbreaking research by leading experiments and guiding teams. Utilize advanced laboratory techniques to tackle infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders, contributing to impactful scien...

2 days ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Elevate your career by leading engineering standards and AI governance across digital product domains. Drive technical excellence and cross-domain collaboration while ensuring compliance and security...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.