Explore Research Director Jobs

Research Directors set the vision and direction for research programs, translating complex questions into actionable insights and discoveries. They lead teams, shape strategy, manage budgets, and communicate findings to executives, clients, policymakers, or scientific communities. Browse vetted Research Director opportunities paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.

What Does a Research Director Do?

Responsibilities vary by organization and field, but often include defining research priorities, designing studies or methodologies, overseeing data collection and analysis, ensuring quality and ethical standards, and presenting results to decision-makers. Research Directors may lead academic, clinical, market, user, policy, or product research.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek substantial research experience, proven people leadership, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to connect evidence to organizational goals. Roles may require an advanced degree or specialized expertise, depending on the discipline. Familiarity with research methods, data tools, compliance requirements, and budget management can also be valuable.

Research Director Career Opportunities

Research Director roles are available across sectors such as technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, consulting, government, and higher education. Job titles and scope differ by employer: some positions focus on building research strategy and teams, while others emphasize a particular subject area, product portfolio, or methodology.

Find Your Next Research Director Role

Use Ladders to discover vetted, high-paying Research Director jobs and explore opportunities that align with your experience and career goals. Review each listing for its responsibilities, qualifications, compensation details, and work arrangement.

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$70K - $94K *

Champion research operations by coordinating administrative and financial tasks, managing grants, and facilitating communication across teams. Drive strategic initiatives and ensure compliance while s...

2 weeks ago

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

$120K - $150K *

Lead the charge in capacity planning by modeling, analyzing, and optimizing manufacturing processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective capacity plans while addressing risks i...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$160K - $280K *

Shape the future of knowledge management! Leverage your SaaS product management expertise to innovate AI-driven solutions while collaborating with diverse teams. Drive roadmaps, understand customer ne...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of client partnerships by leading strategic analytics initiatives to drive insights and growth. Collaborate with teams to translate data into impactful narratives that enhance busines...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$89K - $134K *

Engage with clients by managing strategic account plans, driving growth initiatives, and enhancing relationships. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver client-focused solutions, ensuring...

North Carolina, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$63K - $111K *

Elevate your career by managing academic personnel administration across multiple divisions, providing essential support in recruitment, onboarding, and faculty development while ensuring compliance w...

Yesterday

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

$63K - $111K *

Join a team that's dedicated to supporting Endocrinology, Nephrology, and Transplant divisions. This role involves managing academic personnel administration, providing essential support for faculty a...

Yesterday

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

$63K - $111K *

Transform academic personnel administration by collaborating with leadership to enhance recruitment, onboarding, and faculty development processes, ensuring effective support for diverse academic and...

Yesterday

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

$63K - $111K *

Champion academic personnel administration by providing expert support in recruitment, onboarding, and faculty development. Collaborate with leadership to enhance operational efficiency and ensure com...

Yesterday

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

$156K - $250K *

Lead operational excellence at a manufacturing facility, driving safety, quality, and productivity improvements while managing budgets and fostering employee development to achieve strategic goals and...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$156K - $250K *

Drive operational excellence by leading strategic initiatives to enhance safety, quality, and productivity. Foster employee development and ensure compliance while managing budgets and improving custo...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$130K - $140K *

Empower healthcare clients with innovative social and digital analytics insights. Lead impactful projects, cultivate client relationships, and drive strategic recommendations across diverse teams usin...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$66K - $100K *

Optimize educational program delivery by managing logistics, enhancing efficiency, and automating processes. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of training and certification in...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$66K - $100K *

Drive the execution of educational programs by managing logistics, enhancing processes, and automating tasks to ensure efficient delivery of learning experiences while collaborating with stakeholders...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of data-driven marketing by leading a dynamic team focused on analytics, measurement, and media intelligence. Drive strategic insights and build frameworks that connect media investme...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$125K - $150K *

Champion data-driven marketing strategies by leading analytics, data operations, and media intelligence teams. Drive impactful insights and frameworks that connect media investments to business outcom...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$156K - $290K *

Transform strategic direction by partnering with leadership to drive growth, evaluate opportunities, and translate insights into actionable initiatives that enhance customer value and ensure sustainab...

Georgia, USRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$80K - $90K *

Lead the charge in overseeing strategic project execution, ensuring compliance and quality across workforce development initiatives while fostering team growth and continuous improvement in a dynamic...

Yesterday

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

$80K - $90K *

Shape the future of workforce development by leading strategic projects, ensuring compliance, and driving performance. Collaborate with a dedicated team to enhance service delivery and support employe...

Yesterday

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

$262K - $350K *

Join a team that's driving innovation and technology in healthcare. Lead global research initiatives, manage clinical trials, and shape strategic technology investments to enhance product offerings an...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $115K *

Lead strategic paid social initiatives, driving campaign excellence and team development across healthcare accounts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and optimize performance, ensur...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K *

Lead the nursing and personal care services, ensuring compliance with regulations while fostering a culture of safety and quality improvement. Collaborate with teams to deliver resident-centered care...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$135K - $155K *

Manage senior-level client relationships and lead integrated projects, ensuring clarity and alignment across teams. Navigate complex pharma regulations while driving business growth and performance th...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$122K - $146K *

Lead the design and optimization of automated data integration infrastructure, ensuring accurate and secure data pipelines across diverse platforms while minimizing manual handling and enhancing data...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$66K - $116K *

Elevate your career by joining a team that reviews and edits informed consent forms, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while mentoring new editors and enhancing organizational knowledge in...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Research Director do?question toggle

    A Research Director leads research strategy and execution. Typical duties include setting priorities, overseeing teams and studies, managing budgets, maintaining research quality, and communicating findings to stakeholders.

  • What qualifications are needed for Research Director jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary by field, but employers often look for extensive research experience, leadership ability, strong analytical and communication skills, and expertise in relevant methods or subject matter. Some roles require an advanced degree.

  • What industries hire Research Directors?question toggle

    Research Directors work in industries including technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, consulting, government, and higher education, as well as other organizations that rely on research and evidence-based decisions.

  • How much do Research Director jobs pay?question toggle

    Compensation varies based on industry, location, experience, and role scope. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for available compensation information.

  • How can I find Research Director jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Research Director listings on Ladders and review each opportunity's compensation, responsibilities, qualifications, and work arrangement to identify roles that match your goals.