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Head Of Research Development Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Orion Group

R&D Associate I

Durham, NC · On-site

$27 - $31/hr

Research & Development Associate I $27 - $31/hr with medical benefits available at a cost 6 month initial contract with possibility of extension Onsite in Research Triangle Park, NC Standard first ...

Wolfspeed

Manager of Research Science

Durham, NC · On-site

Responsibilities : • Lead a team of R&D ML Engineers in deploying enterprise manufacturing solutions to increase revenue and product quality • Interface regularly across operations, R&D, and IT ...

Cree

Manager of Research Science

Durham, NC

Lead a team of R&D ML Engineers in deploying enterprise manufacturing solutions to increase revenue and product quality * Interface regularly across operations, R&D, and IT to develop novel ML ...

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All JobsHead Of Research Development JobsHead Of Research Development Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Head Of Research Development information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$63.7K

$158.2K

$209K

How much do head of research development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for head of research development in Raleigh, NC is $158,164.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,200.00 and $188,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Head of Research Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Head of Research Development, you need advanced expertise in research methodologies, project management, and a relevant graduate degree, often a Ph.D. or equivalent. Familiarity with data analysis software, research databases, intellectual property systems, and compliance frameworks is typically required. Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for driving innovation, ensuring research quality, and aligning projects with organizational goals.

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

AspectHead Of Research DevelopmentResearch Scientist
Primary FocusOversees research strategies, manages teams, and directs development projectsConducts experiments, analyzes data, and contributes to research findings
Required CredentialsTypically advanced degrees (PhD), leadership experience, project management skillsUsually a PhD or Master's degree in a relevant field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D departments, strategic planningLaboratory settings, hands-on research activities
Industry UsageCommon in biotech, pharma, tech companies for guiding research teamsFound across research labs, academic institutions, industry research roles

The main difference is that the Head Of Research Development leads and manages research initiatives and teams, focusing on strategy and development, while the Research Scientist conducts experiments and generates research data. Both roles require advanced degrees, but the leadership and strategic responsibilities distinguish the Head Of Research Development from the Research Scientist.

What are some common challenges faced by a Head of Research Development when leading cross-functional teams?

A Head of Research Development often encounters challenges in aligning diverse teams—such as scientists, engineers, and business strategists—toward shared project goals. Differences in communication styles, priorities, and technical backgrounds can lead to misunderstandings or delays. Successful leaders in this role foster a collaborative environment by setting clear objectives, encouraging open dialogue, and ensuring that each team member understands how their work contributes to the broader organizational vision. Emphasizing transparency and regular check-ins helps keep projects on track and team morale high.

What does a Head of Research Development do?

A Head of Research Development leads the planning, coordination, and execution of research initiatives within an organization. They are responsible for identifying new research opportunities, securing funding, managing research teams, and ensuring that projects align with the organization's strategic goals. This role often involves collaborating with external partners, overseeing compliance with regulations, and translating research findings into actionable strategies. A Head of Research Development plays a key role in fostering innovation and maintaining the organization's competitive edge.
What are popular job titles related to Head Of Research Development jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Head Of Research Development jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Head Of Research Development jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Head Of Research Development jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Head Of Research Development jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Head Of Research Development job openings:
Head Of Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Of Research Development job openings in Raleigh, NC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,164 per year, or $76 per hour.
Head of Research & Development - Water Technologies

Head of Research & Development - Water Technologies

Kymera International

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
The Global Head of R&D is responsible for building and leading a high-impact, global research, development, and technical innovation organization focused on non-chemical water technologies, metal-based media systems, and industrial process applications.
As a key member of the leadership team, this role defines and executes the global innovation strategy to deliver differentiated technologies, strengthen the company's intellectual property position, and accelerate commercialization. The role ensures strong alignment between R&D, commercial priorities, and operational execution to drive sustainable growth across global industrial water markets.
Strategy & Business Impact
  • Define and execute the global R&D and innovation strategy aligned with business growth objectives, market needs, and competitive differentiation.
  • Deliver a robust innovation pipeline driving measurable business outcomes, including revenue growth from new products, improved margins, and expanded market applications.
  • Establish clear performance metrics for innovation, including time-to-market, commercialization success rates, and return on R&D investment.
  • Partner closely with commercial leadership to integrate voice-of-customer insights into product development and ensure successful market adoption.

Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Build, lead, and scale a high-performing global R&D organization, including laboratory, pilot, and technical application teams.
  • Develop a strong talent pipeline through recruitment, capability building, succession planning, and leadership development.
  • Foster a high-performance, collaborative, and inclusive culture that promotes innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Lead cross-regional teams effectively, ensuring alignment, communication, and execution across diverse global operations.

Innovation & Technology Development
  • Drive innovation programs focused on product performance, application expansion, operational reliability, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness.
  • Oversee laboratory development, pilot testing, scale-up, and validation activities to ensure successful commercialization of new technologies.
  • Implement and continuously improve stage-gate processes, technical standards, and product validation protocols to enhance R&D efficiency and effectiveness.

Intellectual Property & Competitive Positioning
  • Define and execute a comprehensive global IP strategy, including patent development, trade secret protection, and competitive technology positioning.
  • Partner with external patent counsel and internal stakeholders to identify, protect, and expand strategic IP assets.
  • Monitor competitive technologies and industry trends to maintain a strong and differentiated market position.

Financial & Operational Management
  • Lead the global R&D budget and capital investment strategy, ensuring effective allocation of resources and strong ROI on innovation initiatives.
  • Prioritize and balance multiple R&D programs, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and resource availability.
  • Drive operational excellence in R&D processes, infrastructure, and tools.

External Partnerships & Ecosystem Development
  • Establish and manage strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions, industry organizations, and technology providers.
  • Leverage external innovation networks to accelerate technology development and access emerging capabilities.
  • Support technical due diligence for strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or M&A activities.

Customer & Market Engagement
  • Provide executive-level technical leadership in key customer engagements and strategic projects.
  • Collaborate with customers to develop tailored solutions and strengthen the company's position as a technology partner.
  • Represent the company in industry forums, conferences, and technical associations.

Requirements
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Water Technology, Environmental Engineering, or related technical discipline.
  • Significant experience in industrial water treatment technologies, or industrial process technologies.
  • Proven experience leading R&D, product development, or technical innovation teams within industrial manufacturing, or water technology environments.
  • Demonstrated success building technical organizations, laboratory capabilities, innovation processes, and commercialization pipelines.
  • Experience developing and managing intellectual property strategies including patents, trade secrets, technical documentation, and technology protection initiatives.
  • Familiarity with global environmental, industrial, and regulatory standards related to water treatment and industrial process technologies.

Skills and Abilities
  • Strategic leadership with the ability to align innovation with business growth objectives.
  • Deep technical expertise in industrial water treatment and/or industrial process technologies.
  • Strong commercial acumen and ability to translate market needs into differentiated solutions.
  • Expertise in applied research, product development, pilot testing, scale-up, and commercialization.
  • Advanced understanding of IP strategy, innovation governance, and competitive positioning.
  • Proven ability to influence and collaborate across executive leadership, commercial, operations, and regulatory teams.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities applied to complex technical and business challenges.
  • Experience managing global teams, multiple programs, and complex resource allocation decisions.
  • Effective communicator with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership and customers.
  • Strong change leadership and organizational transformation capabilities.

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