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Director Of Research Development Jobs in California

Vishay

Senior Director R&D

San Jose, CA

Leading identification and consolidation of R&D projects in line with technological trends and development plans. Coordinating research, development, and pre-industrialization of products.

Socket.dev

Research & Development Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$135 - $160/hr

You will be part of the creation of OP's rapidly growing product line and new offerings in women ... The Research & Development Manager will report to the VP of Research & Development and will work ...

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O Positiv

Research & Development Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$135K - $160K/yr

You will be part of the creation of OP's rapidly growing product line and new offerings in women ... The Research & Development Manager will report to the VP of Research & Development and will work ...

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Director Of Research Development information

What does a director of research development do?

A Director of Research Development oversees the planning, coordination, and implementation of research initiatives within an organization. They are responsible for identifying funding opportunities, managing research projects, and supporting faculty or staff in developing competitive proposals. This role often involves building collaborations, ensuring compliance with institutional and funding agency guidelines, and promoting a productive research environment. Directors of Research Development play a key role in advancing an organization’s research goals and enhancing its reputation.

How does a director of research development typically collaborate with faculty and external partners to advance research initiatives?

A Director of Research Development frequently serves as a bridge between faculty researchers and external partners, such as funding agencies, industry collaborators, and governmental organizations. This collaboration often involves identifying funding opportunities, facilitating proposal development, and ensuring alignment with both organizational goals and sponsor requirements. Directors provide strategic guidance, coordinate interdisciplinary teams, and help streamline communication, making it easier for researchers to focus on their scientific work while maximizing the institution's research impact. The role requires strong relationship-building skills and a proactive approach to fostering productive partnerships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of research development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Of Research Development, you need expertise in research management, grant writing, and strategic planning, typically supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with research administration platforms, funding databases, and compliance systems is crucial. Outstanding leadership, collaboration, and communication skills help foster partnerships and guide diverse research teams. These capabilities are essential for securing funding, driving innovation, and ensuring successful research program outcomes.

What is the difference between Director Of Research Development vs Research Scientist?

AspectDirector Of Research DevelopmentResearch Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD preferred), leadership experienceTypically a PhD or Master's in relevant field
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-department collaborationLaboratory or field research, data analysis
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, biotech, pharma companiesUniversities, research labs, industry R&D
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on leadership, development, and strategyFocus on technical research and experimentation

The main difference is that the Director Of Research Development oversees research strategies and manages teams, while a Research Scientist conducts experiments and analyzes data. The director role involves leadership and planning, whereas the scientist role is more hands-on with research activities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Research Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Of Research Development jobs in California are:

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For Director Of Research Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Cities in California with the most Director Of Research Development job openings:

Director Of Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Research Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

CULINARY DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

San Diego, CA

Gecko Hospitality
See more jobs at Gecko Hospitalityexternal

$140K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

CULINARY DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

San Diego, California

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

A highly respected hospitality group is seeking an innovative and visionary Culinary Director of Research & Development to lead the creation, refinement, and execution of signature culinary experiences across a portfolio of unique restaurant concepts.

This is far more than a traditional Executive Chef role. The Culinary Director of Research & Development will serve as the organization's culinary innovator, responsible for developing memorable dishes, creating scalable systems, mentoring culinary leaders, and ensuring every menu item can be executed consistently while maintaining exceptional quality, operational efficiency, and profitability.

This position is ideal for a chef who thrives on creativity, continuous improvement, mentorship, and building culinary systems that support long-term growth.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Culinary Director of Research & Development will oversee recipe development, menu innovation, culinary standards, food costing, presentation, and execution across multiple restaurant concepts. Working closely with executive leadership and operations, this individual will transform creative culinary ideas into repeatable systems that deliver exceptional guest experiences while supporting operational excellence.

The ideal candidate has experience in high-level kitchens, possesses outstanding technical culinary knowledge, and understands how to balance artistry, execution, and financial performance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead culinary research and development initiatives across multiple restaurant concepts.

• Develop innovative menu items that become signature guest favorites.

• Design standardized recipes, preparation methods, plating guides, and execution procedures.

• Ensure culinary concepts are operationally efficient, scalable, and financially successful.

• Partner with operations leadership to implement new menu rollouts and culinary initiatives.

• Mentor Executive Chefs and culinary leadership teams through coaching, training, and ongoing development.

• Establish culinary standards that ensure consistency across all locations.

• Analyze food costs, yields, labor efficiency, waste reduction, and profitability.

• Collaborate with vendors to source premium ingredients while maintaining cost objectives.

• Develop training materials, recipe documentation, and culinary operating procedures.

• Continuously evaluate culinary trends, techniques, ingredients, and guest preferences.

• Support restaurant openings, menu launches, seasonal features, and culinary innovation projects.

• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Progressive culinary leadership experience in high-quality, chef-driven restaurants.

• Experience leading culinary innovation, recipe development, and menu engineering.

• Strong understanding of food costing, purchasing, inventory, and kitchen financial performance.

• Demonstrated success mentoring Executive Chefs and culinary management teams.

• Exceptional technical cooking skills and knowledge of modern culinary techniques.

• Strong organizational and project management abilities.

• Ability to create systems that ensure consistent execution across multiple locations.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

• Passion for continuous learning, creativity, and culinary excellence.

IDEAL BACKGROUND

We are seeking chefs who have developed their careers in exceptional restaurant environments and are recognized for both their culinary creativity and operational discipline.

Candidates with experience in chef-driven restaurants, fine dining, upscale casual, hospitality groups, or multi-unit culinary leadership are encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $120,000 annual salary

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• 401(k)

• Paid Time Off

• Opportunity to shape the culinary direction of an innovative hospitality organization

• Collaborative leadership environment with significant growth potential

WHY THIS ROLE

This is an opportunity to influence the culinary identity of an entire restaurant group rather than a single kitchen. You'll help create memorable guest experiences through menu innovation, mentor talented culinary leaders, and build systems that ensure exceptional food can be consistently executed across multiple concepts.

If you're passionate about creating unforgettable dining experiences while balancing creativity, operational excellence, and business performance, we'd love to hear from you.