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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$121K - $194K *

Transform financial management by overseeing budget preparation, analysis, and reporting. Collaborate with leadership to support strategic planning and ensure compliance with government contracting st...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $160K *

Join a team that's advancing clinical research excellence by leading operations, ensuring compliance, and managing a dedicated team. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to enhance research quality a...

2 weeks ago

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

$175K - $225K *

Join a team that leverages cutting-edge quantitative research to enhance trading performance. You'll collaborate with developers and traders, driving profitable decisions through data analysis and inn...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $130K *

Take ownership of lab resource coordination, ensuring efficient allocation for testing operations. Lead a team of technicians, manage external test programs, and maintain lab safety and organization t...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Champion higher education reform by leading initiatives that enhance transfer pathways, improve student outcomes, and foster economic mobility. Collaborate with institutions to align curricula and add...

1 week ago

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

$135K - $160K *

Drive strategic initiatives in higher education reform to enhance transfer pathways, improve student outcomes, and foster economic mobility. Collaborate with institutions to align curricula and addres...

1 week ago

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

$169K - $250K *

Transform product insights into actionable recommendations across teams, utilizing mixed research methods. Engage with cross-functional groups, tackle ambiguous challenges, and rapidly drive impactful...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$169K - $250K *

Grow your career with us by conducting rapid, impactful research to drive product decisions. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to clarify problems, test concepts, and deliver actionable...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$267K - $330K *

Champion a cohesive culture and communication strategy, enhancing employee experience and engagement across the organization. Lead initiatives in organizational development, internal communications, a...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $100K *

Advance clinical research operations by overseeing compliance, finances, and study integrity. Collaborate with investigators and teams to ensure budget adherence and readiness for inspections, driving...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$328K - $380K *

Lead a team that provides expert medical consulting, enhances underwriting standards, and educates clients on insurance medicine trends. Collaborate across departments to ensure optimal risk assessmen...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$94K - $138K *

Elevate the user experience by conducting impactful UX research, guiding teams through qualitative and quantitative studies, and delivering actionable insights that drive product decisions in a fast-p...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Advance education initiatives by managing research programs and stakeholder relationships, ensuring strategic delivery of multiple projects to enhance policy outreach and improve education outcomes fo...

4 weeks ago

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

$160K - $200K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic analytics team to transform data into strategic insights. Collaborate across functions to drive impactful marketing decisions and innovate measurement methodol...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Media

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in transforming data into strategic insights, guiding a high-performing analytics team to drive impactful marketing decisions and optimize performance across diverse client needs and i...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Media

$163K - $245K *

Champion the growth of an AI research team by leading full-cycle technical recruiting. Collaborate with leadership to develop strategies for attracting top talent in a fast-paced environment, ensuring...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$80K - $116K *

Grow your career with a pivotal role in preclinical research, coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality outcomes while developing your leadership and project management skills in a dy...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$113K - $127K *

Optimize legal support for opioid settlement initiatives, ensuring compliance with agreements and state laws. Collaborate with advisory boards and senior leadership to develop policies and oversee fun...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$88K - $105K *

Lead clinical study operations by supervising staff, ensuring compliance, and managing project execution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance research quality and patient safety while o...

1 week ago

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

$200K - $280K *

Champion strategic partnerships by leading program execution and integration of AI technologies across defense systems, ensuring alignment and demand generation for mission-critical capabilities...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $150K *

Optimize the operations of a dynamic research institute by supervising executive support staff, ensuring compliance, and enhancing efficiency in administrative functions to support senior leadership a...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $200K *

Manage client relationships while driving commercial growth through effective business development and strategy. Collaborate with teams to deliver analytical solutions and market insights to global he...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Engage in a dynamic role to lead and enhance marketing analytics, driving impactful insights for clients. Oversee a diverse team, develop statistical models, and optimize advertising strategies to max...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$120K - $145K *

Empower a dynamic team to enhance marketing analytics, develop statistical models, and optimize client campaigns. This role blends technical expertise with strategic insights to drive impactful busine...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$100K - $120K *

Elevate research operations by managing a dynamic portfolio, guiding faculty, and implementing effective administrative strategies to foster collaboration and excellence in a high-performing environme...

Yesterday

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

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.