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Director Of Research Operations Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Bloomberg BNA

Director of User Research

Arlington, VA · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

We are seeking a Director of User Research to establish and lead a research function across ... Leverage tools and emerging technologies to streamline research operations, including participant ...

Prominent Edge LLC

Director of R&D

Washington, DC

Build and maintain the full DevOps pipeline - CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code, container ... Why Prominent Edge As the Director of US R&D, you won't be inheriting someone else's roadmap. You ...

HarrisX

Research Analyst

Washington, DC

You will work as part of a collaborative project team alongside Research Managers, Directors, VPs, data scientists, and research operations team, contributing to studies that inform both corporate ...

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All JobsOf Research Operations JobsDirector Of Research Operations JobsDirector Of Research Operations Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Director Of Research Operations information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$35.1K

$111.3K

$185.6K

How much do director of research operations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of research operations in Silver Spring, MD is $111,317.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $140,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of research operations do?

A Director of Research Operations oversees the planning, coordination, and management of research activities within an organization. Their responsibilities often include streamlining processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing budgets, and supporting research teams to achieve their goals efficiently. They work closely with senior leadership, researchers, and administrative staff to improve operational effectiveness and drive the success of research projects. This role is critical in fostering a productive research environment and ensuring that organizational objectives are met.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of research operations?

To thrive as a Director of Research Operations, you need expertise in research management, project coordination, budgeting, and typically an advanced degree in a relevant scientific or technical field. Familiarity with research compliance systems, data management platforms, and project management tools such as Asana or Microsoft Project is often required. Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills help foster collaboration and drive high-performing research teams. These skills ensure that complex research initiatives are executed efficiently, within regulatory guidelines, and with maximum impact.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of research operations, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Research Operations often encounters challenges such as balancing resource allocation across multiple projects, ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements, and streamlining communication between research teams and administrative departments. Addressing these challenges requires strong project management skills, proactive stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of efficient operational processes. Building collaborative relationships and fostering a culture of transparency can also help in resolving conflicts and keeping projects on track.

What is the difference between Director Of Research Operations vs Research Manager?

AspectDirector Of Research OperationsResearch Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in research, management, or related field; experience in research operationsBachelor's or Master's in research, social sciences, or related field; experience in research project management
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple research teams, strategic planning, and operational workflowsManages research projects, coordinates teams, and ensures project deliverables
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in corporate, academic, and healthcare research settings for leadership rolesCommon in organizations conducting research, focusing on project execution

The main difference is that the Director Of Research Operations focuses on strategic oversight and managing research operations at a higher level, while the Research Manager handles day-to-day project management and team coordination. Both roles require research experience, but the director position involves broader organizational responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Research Operations jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

For Director Of Research Operations jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Of Research Operations jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Of Research Operations jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Director Of Research Operations jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Director Of Research Operations job openings:

Director Of Research Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Research Operations job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $111,317 per year, or $53.5 per hour.

Director of Research

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Washington, DC • On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Director of Research
FDD is seeking a full-time Director of Research. The director plays a key leadership and management role within the FDD Research Department in addition to conducting research and publishing widely in their chosen area of expertise. The director reports to the Vice President of Research.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the FDD editorial team, ensuring the overall quality of all FDD publications in terms of both their substance and fluidity of prose.
  • Manage editorial workflow for short- and long-form publications.
  • Supervise and ensure the professional development of FDD's research analysts. Help refine their research and writing skills and evaluate their output.
  • Facilitate the adoption of AI tools to conduct original research while ensuring analytical rigor and integrity.
  • Coordinate with the FDD communications team to help experts publicize their research via print, online, and broadcast media.
  • Conduct research and publish widely in a chosen area of expertise.
  • Fellows are expected to produce and publicize research that has a tangible impact on U.S. foreign policy and national security, helping the United States and its democratic allies to prevail over autocratic aggressors.
  • The director will have a concurrent appointment as Research Fellow or Senior Fellow.
  • For this position, there is no preferred regional or functional specialization, although the candidate should have deep expertise in at least one area that aligns with FDD's mission.

Skills & Qualifications
  • Ph.D. preferred. We will also consider candidates with comparable training and experience in a research capacity.
  • 8-15 years of professional experience in research, government, and policy-related roles.
    • FDD prefers candidates with 2 or more years of experience in policy-facing roles in the executive or legislative branch of the federal government.
  • Broad expertise in foreign affairs and national security, enabling the candidate to oversee publications that address the full range of issues and regions in FDD's portfolio.
  • Advanced professional editing skills, enabling the candidate to ensure the quality of numerous long- and short-form publications.
  • Ability to manage high-volume editorial workflows with submissions coming from several dozen authors.
  • Advanced professional writing skills
    • FDD fellows usually publish multiple policy briefs or op-eds per month along with one or more research memoranda or monographs per year.
  • Substantive understanding of the strengths and limitations of AI for conducting original research.
    • Familiarity with the use of agentic AI for research is a plus.
  • Public speaking and communication ability, suitable both for in-person presentations and interviews with broadcast media, to include television, radio, and podcasts.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, leadership ability, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
    • FDD strongly values those who help build a collegial and collaborative workplace environment.

Application Requirements
  • Résumé or CV
  • Cover Letter
  • Residence in or ability to relocate to the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This is an in-person position with an option of up to two days per week of telework.

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at jean@fdd.org or (202) 207-0190.
This role has a projected salary band of $140,000-$180,000 per year, based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including health care coverage based on eligibility.
FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here. [Insert hyperlink]

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