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Director Research Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tamus

Director, Research Development

Bryan, TX

Job Title Director, Research Development Agency Texas A&M University System Offices Department Center for Applied Communications and Networks Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Bryan ...

Tempus

Senior Director, Research & Development

Chicago, IL · On-site

$173K - $245K/yr

Senior Director, Research & Development Passionate about advancing precision diagnostics and regulated assay development? Tempus is seeking a Senior Director, Research & Development to lead late ...

Tempus

Senior Director, Research & Development

Chicago, IL · On-site

$173K - $245K/yr

Senior Director, Research & Development Passionate about advancing precision diagnostics and regulated assay development? Tempus is seeking a Senior Director, Research & Development to lead late ...

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How much do director research development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for director research development in the United States is $162,707.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,000.00 and $194,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 advanced expertise in research methodologies, project management, and grant writing, usually backed by a graduate degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with research administration software, funding databases, and compliance systems is essential, along with certifications like CRA (Certified Research Administrator) being advantageous. Strategic thinking, leadership, and excellent communication skills are critical for building collaborations and guiding multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital for securing funding, ensuring research integrity, and driving innovative projects to successful completion.

How does a Director of Research Development typically collaborate with other departments to drive innovation within an organization?

A Director of Research Development often works closely with cross-functional teams such as product management, engineering, marketing, and executive leadership to align research initiatives with organizational goals. This role involves facilitating communication between departments, ensuring that research projects support strategic objectives, and integrating insights from various stakeholders. Effective collaboration helps drive innovation, as the Director ensures that research outcomes are actionable and directly contribute to product or service enhancements. Regular meetings, joint project planning sessions, and clear reporting structures are common practices to maintain alignment and foster a culture of innovation.

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

AspectDirector Research DevelopmentResearch Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD preferred), leadership experienceTypically a PhD or Master's degree in a relevant field
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, team management, cross-department collaborationLaboratory or field research, data analysis, experimentation
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, biotech, pharma, corporate R&DUniversities, research labs, industry R&D
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in research developmentDetails about research-focused roles and career paths

The main difference between a Director Research Development and a Research Scientist lies in their responsibilities and focus. The Director oversees strategic planning, manages teams, and collaborates across departments, while the Research Scientist conducts experiments, analyzes data, and advances scientific knowledge. Both roles require advanced degrees, but the Director typically has more leadership experience and works in a broader strategic context.

What does a Director of Research Development do?

A Director of Research Development leads and manages the planning, coordination, and execution of research strategies within an organization. They are responsible for identifying funding opportunities, fostering collaborations, and overseeing proposal development to secure grants and support research initiatives. Additionally, they work with faculty or research teams to ensure compliance with regulations and alignment with institutional goals, while supporting innovation and the growth of research programs.
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Director Research Development jobs near you
Director, Research & Development

Director, Research & Development

Motorsport Network

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

About Motorsport Network 
Motorsport Network is a global, always-on media, technology and events platform uniquely positioned at the intersection of motorsport, automotive, and mobility. Reaching over 40 million fans across 25+ markets, the company operates some of the world’s most authoritative brands including Motorsport.com, Autosport, Motor1, Ride Apart, and InsideEVs, delivering live awards and event experiences, premium content, branded content, video, and podcasts that span racing, performance automotive, electric vehicles, and the future of mobility. 

The Opportunity 

Motorsport Network is hiring a Director, Research & Development to serve as the connector between our audience data and the commercial story we bring to market. This is an IC, hands-on role — equal parts data strategist, narrative architect, and insight product owner. The successful candidate will translate syndicated, first-party, and behavioral data into category-led audience resources, pitch-ready insights, and a clear point of view on what makes the Motorsport Network audience uniquely valuable in the global media landscape. 

Working in close partnership with Sales, Business Development, Audience Development, Client Solutions, Client Success, Programming, Content, and other cross-functional teams, this role will provide the insight backbone of custom proposals, sponsorship narratives, and franchise launches. The Director will translate complex data sets into language that lands consistently with an agency planner, a brand director, and a CMO — fluent, confident, and commercially relevant. 

Beyond synthesis of existing data, this role is accountable for building Motorsport Network’s proprietary intelligence capability — designing the roadmap for owned research communities, primary field studies, and leading custom intelligence engagements that generate first-party insights no competitor can replicate. 
 

Required 

  • 10+ years in audience research, insights, or marketing strategy inside a major media company, network, publisher, or agency — including a minimum of two years at the Director or senior-manager level leading work end to end. 

  • Demonstrated ComScore and Nielsen competency. Able to build, defend, and challenge audience claims using these tools without translation. 

  • Fluency with the broader research stack, including MRI-Simmons, GWI, social listening platforms, and first-party or behavioral analytics. 

  • Hands-on experience designing and fielding primary research, including quantitative surveys, qualitative studies, and audience segmentation work. 

  • Track record of building or scaling proprietary research assets — research communities, panels, or insight platforms — that produced ongoing first-party value to a commercial organization. 

  • Experience leading custom or syndicated intelligence engagements on behalf of advertiser or partner briefs, end to end. 

  • A portfolio of work that converted a data set into a commercial outcome: a pitch won, a category opened, or a narrative that became the house point of view. 

  • Outstanding presentation craft. Decks that read and look like they came from a major media company, not a research vendor; comfort presenting at every level from agency planner to CMO. 

  • A synthesizer’s instinct. The ability to hold multiple data sets, stakeholder agendas, and a CMO-level question in mind simultaneously, and return with the single insight that answers them. 

  • Comfort operating in a lean, global, fast-paced environment, with an ownership mindset and a strong bias toward action. 

Highly Valued 

  • Background in sports media, automotive, or endemic enthusiast categories. 

  • Experience working in or with luxury, automotive, watches, finance, or travel categories on the brand side. 

  • Familiarity with social, programmatic, addressable, retail media, or first-party audience products and how they show up in a pitch. 

  • Experience supporting global sales teams, with an emphasis on the US and UK.   
    This role is based in New York City with a hybrid in-office schedule.
    Compensation: $120K to $140K - Compensation package will depend on experience and training.

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