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Director Research Development Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Top Tier Talent Group

R&D Manager

Burlington, ON

Director, R&D and Technical Services Department: Research & Development Status: Full-Time About Our Client Our client is a leading contract manufacturer of household and personal care products ...

Chad Management Group

R&D SR Director

Toronto, ON · On-site

The Director will lead a high-performing team of food scientists, R&D chefs, and bakery technologists, guiding projects from concept and bench-top development through pilot testing and full-scale ...

Chad Management Group

R&D SR Director

Toronto, ON · On-site

The Director will lead a high-performing team of food scientists, R&D chefs, and bakery technologists, guiding projects from concept and bench-top development through pilot testing and full-scale ...

Swiss Re

Senior R&D Actuary

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$156K - CA$195K/yr

Lead experience analysis initiatives to monitor population and insured life trends across direct ... Research Development team specializes in life insurance experience monitoring/analysis and ...

NACBA

Senior R&D Actuary

Toronto, ON · On-site

$156 - $195/hr

Lead experience analysis initiatives to monitor population and insured life trends across direct ... Research Development team specializes in life insurance experience monitoring/analysis and ...

Jackman Reinvents

Research Director

Toronto, ON

Role. Research Director Strategy & Research at Jackman. Jackman's strategy team is persistent ... development proposals and pitches. * Lead and develop the team. Coach and advise junior researchers ...

Jackman Reinvents

Research Director

Toronto, ON · On-site

Role. Research Director Strategy & Research at Jackman. Jackman's strategy team is persistent ... development proposals and pitches. * Lead and develop the team. Coach and advise junior researchers ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsResearch Development JobsDirector Research Development JobsDirector Research Development Jobs in Ontario

Director Research Development information

See Ontario salary details

$27.5K

$114.4K

$214.5K

How much do director research development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for director research development in Ontario is $114,446.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,000.00 and $151,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director 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.

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

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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Research Development jobs in Ontario?

The most popular types of Research Development jobs in Ontario are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Research Development jobs in Ontario?

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

What job categories do people searching Director Research Development jobs in Ontario look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Research Development jobs in Ontario are:

What cities in Ontario are hiring for Director Research Development jobs?

Cities in Ontario with the most Director Research Development job openings:

Director Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Research Development job openings in Ontario as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,446 per year, or $55 per hour.

Director of Research & Development and Quality Assurance

Proforce Personnel

Cambridge, ON • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description


Director, Research & Development & Quality Assurance
Location: Cambridge, Ontario
Industry: Food Manufacturing & Ingredient Distribution
Employment Type: Full-Time
About the Opportunity
We are currently recruiting for a Director, Research & Development & Quality Assurance to provide strategic leadership across Product Development, Research & Development, Technical Services, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Food Safety.
This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for driving innovation, technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and quality performance across both manufacturing and ingredient distribution operations.
The Director will contribute to business strategy, support organizational growth, and ensure the technical functions have the people, resources, processes, and capabilities required to support both current operations and future business objectives.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Strategy
  • Provide strategic leadership across R&D, Product Development, Technical Services, QA, Regulatory Affairs, and Food Safety.
  • Establish departmental priorities, objectives, KPIs, and performance measures aligned with organizational goals.
  • Contribute to strategic planning, business development, organizational development, and senior-level decision-making.
  • Ensure resources, capabilities, and investments are aligned with business needs.
  • Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Work closely with Production, Warehouse Operations, Sales, Supply Chain, and Customer Experience teams.
Research, Product Development & Innovation
  • Lead the organization's product development and innovation strategy.
  • Oversee the development and commercialization of new products and product improvements.
  • Manage and prioritize the product development pipeline based on customer needs, market opportunities, and business objectives.
  • Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, ingredients, and scientific advancements.
  • Ensure R&D and technical capabilities support both current operations and future growth.
Technical Services
  • Lead the technical strategy supporting the ingredient distribution business.
  • Ensure strong technical expertise in ingredient functionality, applications, regulatory requirements, and market trends.
  • Oversee technical support and value-added services that strengthen customer relationships and support commercial growth.
  • Develop and maintain strategic relationships with customers, suppliers, and industry partners.
  • Oversee the development of application concepts, prototypes, technical tools, and demonstration materials.
  • Identify new ingredient technologies, supplier opportunities, and market applications.
  • Partner with Sales to provide technical leadership and support solution-based business development.
Quality Assurance, Regulatory & Food Safety
  • Provide strategic oversight of Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Food Safety programs.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory, customer, certification, and corporate requirements.
  • Maintain effective Quality and Food Safety Management Systems.
  • Ensure readiness for customer, certification, third-party, and regulatory audits and inspections.
  • Lead supplier quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality culture initiatives.
  • Oversee the management of quality incidents, customer concerns, non-conformances, corrective actions, and product recall preparedness.
  • Monitor changes in regulatory and industry requirements and ensure the organization responds appropriately.
  • Drive continuous improvement across quality, regulatory, and food safety functions.
Qualifications & ExperienceEducation
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
  • Advanced degree considered an asset.
Experience
  • 10-15+ years of progressive leadership experience within the food or ingredient industry.
  • Proven experience leading teams and programs across areas such as Product Development, Technical Services, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Food Safety.
  • Experience within an ingredient distribution environment, including technical sales support, supplier partnerships, and customer application development, is highly valued.
  • Strong knowledge of food regulations, ingredient functionality, quality systems, and food safety requirements.
  • Experience managing customer audits, certification programs, regulatory inspections, and commercialization projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
Leadership Profile
The successful candidate will be:
  • A results-oriented leader who can translate technical strategy into measurable business outcomes.
  • A strong communicator and relationship builder who can influence stakeholders across all levels of an organization.
  • Strategic and commercially minded, with the ability to balance innovation, quality, compliance, and business priorities.
  • An experienced people leader who can build and develop high-performing teams.
  • Comfortable working cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, Sales, Supply Chain, and other business functions.
  • A strong problem solver with excellent decision-making, project management, and change leadership capabilities.
  • Passionate about innovation, continuous improvement, food safety, and technical excellence.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This is an opportunity to join a growing organization in the food manufacturing and ingredient distribution sector and take ownership of several critical technical functions.
The Director will have a significant influence on innovation, product development, technical services, quality, regulatory compliance, and food safety, while also contributing to the organization's broader strategic direction and growth.
If you are a senior food industry leader looking for an opportunity to combine R&D, innovation, technical leadership, and quality with broader business strategy, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today to learn more about this opportunity.