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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$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's redefining life science R&D by developing AI-driven workflows, integrating data pipelines, and enhancing experimental design through innovative machine learning solutions in collabo...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Engineer strategic initiatives as a Program Analyst, supporting leadership through data analysis, workflow management, and process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and drive impactful de...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead client relationships and drive strategic growth while ensuring high-quality delivery. Collaborate across teams to align marketing efforts with client objectives and mentor account strategists for...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Champion clinic operations by leading a high-performing team, enhancing client experiences, and driving sustainable growth through effective decision-making and problem-solving in a dynamic environmen...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$79K - $95K *

Drive academic HR excellence by overseeing personnel processes, managing recruitment, and advising departments in a collaborative environment, ensuring compliance with policies and fostering effective...

3 weeks ago

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

$85K - $95K *

Lead the charge in overseeing incident management and regulatory compliance while mentoring staff and ensuring continuous improvements across agency programs. Drive accountability and efficiency in qu...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Manage operations across three DoD directorates, ensuring contract performance, overseeing personnel, and coordinating cyber threat initiatives. Lead a diverse team while serving as the main communica...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$156K - $195K *

Champion the global eDiscovery Technology practice, leading a diverse team to innovate AI-assisted workflows, ensuring defensibility and quality across jurisdictions while driving growth and operation...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$180K - $220K *

Accelerate progress by leading global regulatory strategies for diverse clients, ensuring compliance and fostering relationships with key regulatory bodies to enhance project success across therapeuti...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$175K - $280K *

Contribute to our growth product strategy and execution to transform user engagement and retention. Design features and experiences that spark value and drive organic expansion across various platform...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $215K *

Drive innovative brand connections through creative media, collaborating across teams to inspire culturally relevant content and experiences that resonate with audiences and elevate client objectives...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$90K - $215K *

Join a dynamic team to drive innovative brand connections through creative media. Collaborate across functions to inspire culturally relevant content and experiences, leveraging insights and strategic...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$180K - $220K *

Empower global regulatory strategies and drive business growth while leading multidisciplinary collaborations in a fast-paced environment. Leverage your expertise to guide clients through complex regu...

Boston, MARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $170K *

Lead the charge in scaling an outbound SDR team. Drive performance and career growth while maintaining high standards for activity and quality. Utilize modern tools to refine processes and ensure succ...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$70K - $150K *

Unlock potential by configuring and supporting Relativity environments, standardizing workflows, and resolving technical issues to enhance eDiscovery services across multiple projects and teams...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$70K - $150K *

Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing eDiscovery services by configuring and supporting Relativity environments, standardizing workflows, and resolving technical issues across multiple engagement...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$130K - $160K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of innovative memory and learning research. Shape groundbreaking experiments and algorithms that improve AI capabilities and enrich product offerings for top tech c...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $175K *

Elevate your career by leveraging your expertise in data analysis to optimize logistics operations for the U.S. Marine Corps. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance equipment readiness thr...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$185K - $215K *

Join a team that's driving strategic governance and financial control for high-value capital projects, overseeing portfolios of $100M to $500M+. Lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage client relatio...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$120K - $165K *

Transform your career by leading revenue cycle consulting projects, managing junior staff, and driving operational improvements while building strong client relationships. Leverage your expertise in h...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $145K *

Elevate research capabilities by engineering robust systems that ensure accurate, reproducible experiments at scale, enabling scientists to focus on innovative study designs and measurements while mai...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's seeking to enhance data integrity through modernized application and database support. You'll lead analytic decision-making efforts, ensuring effective data quality and performance...

Reposted 3 days ago

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

$90K - $100K *

Transform client relationships and project execution as a key Account Supervisor. Lead teams, manage budgets, and ensure high-quality deliverables while fostering collaboration and innovation in a dyn...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $100K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming healthcare through creativity and strategy. As an Account Supervisor, you'll lead client projects, foster relationships, and mentor junior staff, ensuring...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $100K *

Champion client success by overseeing project execution, fostering relationships, and leading cross-functional teams. Drive strategic initiatives that align with client goals while ensuring quality de...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.