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Director Research Development Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Top Tier Talent Group

R&D Manager

Burlington, ON

$95K - $140K/yr

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 ...

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 · 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 ...

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 ...

#twiceasnice Recruiting

CA$115K - CA$140K/yr

This is an opportunity to have a direct impact on the products that define one of the industry's most iconic performance brands. Powersports R&D Engine Development Manager Responsibilities * Lead the ...

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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 16, 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 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 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 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, 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,446 per year, or $55 per hour.

R&D Manager

Top Tier Talent Group

Burlington, ON

$95K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Manager, Research & Development

Reports To: 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, committed to developing innovative, high-quality solutions for customers across North America. With a strong focus on product excellence, sustainability, and continuous improvement, the company offers a collaborative environment where innovation and technical expertise are highly valued.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Director of R&D and Technical Services, the Manager, Research & Development will lead the development of innovative formulations across the Laundry, Household Care, and Personal Care product categories.

This position combines scientific expertise, project leadership, and strategic thinking to develop new products, improve existing formulations, and support commercialization within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop innovative formulations for laundry, household care, and personal care products.
  • Design products that meet customer requirements for performance, cost, quality, regulatory compliance, and manufacturability.
  • Evaluate formulation interactions affecting product stability, functionality, shelf life, processing, and safety.
  • Apply scientific principles and structured experimentation to solve technical challenges and optimize formulations.
  • Research and evaluate new raw materials and emerging technologies.
  • Develop and maintain raw material specifications and product documentation.
  • Support manufacturing scale-up and commercialization activities.
  • Ensure compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), including method development, validation, SOP creation, and laboratory equipment calibration.
  • Conduct literature reviews, competitive product evaluations, and patent searches.
  • Develop analytical methods and laboratory capabilities to support formulation development and competitive benchmarking.
  • Design in-house product performance testing and accelerated screening methods.
  • Maintain complete and accurate laboratory documentation, including batch records, inventories, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), analytical methods, and laboratory notebooks while protecting confidential information and intellectual property.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives throughout the manufacturing operation.
  • Collaborate with Quality, Operations, Production, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
  • Coordinate projects with raw material suppliers, fragrance houses, third-party laboratories, and external testing facilities.
  • Work safely while complying with all health and safety policies and procedures.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
  • 5–10 years of progressive R&D experience within household care, personal care, consumer products, or specialty chemical manufacturing.
  • Strong formulation experience with surfactants, emulsions, detergents, and related raw materials.
  • Proven experience developing products from concept through commercialization.
  • Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
  • Familiarity with FDA, OTC, and Health Canada regulatory requirements.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
  • Excellent research and technical documentation abilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities.
  • Strong communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
  • Experience leading or mentoring technical teams.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
  • Manufacturing process engineering experience is considered an asset.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive base salary- $95000- $140 000
  • Annual incentive bonus
  • Comprehensive employer-paid health and dental benefits
  • Three weeks of vacation
  • Career advancement opportunities within a growing organization
  • Collaborative, innovative, and team-oriented work environment

This role is for an existing vacancy.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity, respect, integrity, collaboration, and innovation are valued.