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Program Manager Research Operations Jobs in Seattle, WA

Compass

User Research Operations Specialist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$143K - $159K/yr

What We're Looking For * 4+ years of experience in a Research Operations, Design Operations, or a related program management role within a product organization. * Deep Experience in Research ...

Uw

Research Manager

Seattle, WA · On-site

Program Leadership & Research Operations (60%) * Partner with the Principal Investigator to set ... Coordinate and manage research workflows, timelines, and project milestones across the lab Lead and ...

Redwood

Operations Program Manager - Kent

Kent, WA · On-site

$80K/yr

Operations Program Manager Annual Salary : $80,168.40 J ob Status: Full Time Work Base: Kent, Washington Helping You Live Life to the Fullest! SAILS Washington is dedicated to providing quality ...

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Program Manager Research Operations information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$45.5K

$124.6K

$180.4K

How much do program manager research operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager research operations in Seattle, WA is $124,588.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,300.00 and $150,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Program Manager Research Operations?

Program Manager Research Operations are professionals who oversee and coordinate the administrative and operational aspects of research programs within organizations such as universities, corporations, or healthcare institutions. Their responsibilities typically include managing budgets, ensuring compliance with regulations, supporting research teams, and improving efficiency in research processes. They act as a bridge between researchers, administrative staff, and external partners to ensure projects run smoothly and meet organizational goals. Program Managers in Research Operations play a critical role in enabling scientific and academic research by providing strategic and logistical support.

What is the difference between Program Manager Research Operations vs Research Coordinator?

AspectProgram Manager Research OperationsResearch Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in related field, project management certifications often preferredBachelor's degree in a relevant field, research experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects, collaborates with teams, manages budgetsSupports research projects, handles data collection, assists with study logistics
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, biotech, pharma, academiaResearch labs, clinical settings, academic institutions
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles in research operationsDetails on research support roles and coordination tasks

The Program Manager Research Operations typically oversees multiple research projects, manages teams, and handles budgets, requiring project management skills. In contrast, a Research Coordinator focuses on supporting specific research studies, managing data collection, and logistical tasks. Both roles are essential in research environments but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Program Manager Research Operations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Manager Research Operations, you need expertise in research administration, project management, and budget oversight, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in research environments. Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, MS Project), research compliance systems, and grant management platforms is typically essential. Strong leadership, organizational skills, and effective communication enable collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. These skills ensure efficient research operations, regulatory compliance, and successful project outcomes.

What are the main challenges Program Managers in Research Operations typically face when coordinating cross-functional teams?

Program Managers in Research Operations often encounter challenges related to aligning diverse stakeholders, balancing multiple project timelines, and ensuring smooth communication between research, product, and operations teams. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining research quality and compliance. Regularly facilitating meetings, setting clear expectations, and using project management tools help mitigate these challenges and ensure collaborative progress.
What are popular job titles related to Program Manager Research Operations jobs in Seattle, WA? For Program Manager Research Operations jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Program Manager Research Operations jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Program Manager Research Operations jobs in Seattle, WA are:
Program Manager Research Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Manager Research Operations job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,588 per year, or $59.9 per hour.
User Research Operations Specialist

User Research Operations Specialist

Compass

Seattle, WA

$143K - $159K/yr

Other

Posted 18 days ago

Compass Real Estate rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 200 rated real estate companies

Job description

The Product Design & Research team is seeking a Senior Research Operations Specialist to act as the second member of our growing Research Operations practice. This role is essential for creating the systems, processes, and support structures that empower our Product Designers and Product Managers to gather high-quality insights efficiently and at scale.

Reporting to the Staff User Research Operations Manager, you will be a strategic partner in evolving our fragmented, post-merger processes into a single, elegant system. You will directly enable teams to make informed, user-centered decisions that drive our mission forward. The ideal candidate brings deep experience organizing user research, an analytic approach to process development, and a collaborative disposition for problem-solving.

What You'll Do
  • Provide Hands-On Study Support: Act as the first point of contact for PMs and Designers, guiding them through the operational lifecycle of a study from triage and planning to participant recruitment, scheduling, and incentive management.
  • Drive Process Improvement: Proactively identify bottlenecks in our current research workflows and design durable, scalable solutions. Document best practices and create resources that empower our teams to conduct research more effectively.
  • Manage Tooling and Vendor Relationships: Administer aspects of our suite of research tools, manage seat allocation, and serve as a key contact for our vendor partners to ensure we are maximizing the value of our investments (UserInterviews, Qualtrics, Dovetail, Figma, etc.)
  • Scale Our Insights & Knowledge Management: Manage and improve our research repository, ensuring insights are discoverable and accessible. Develop processes that encourage the synthesis of findings across multiple studies.
What We're Looking For
  • 4+ years of experience in a Research Operations, Design Operations, or a related program management role within a product organization.
  • Deep Experience in Research Enablement: A strong understanding of the end-to-end research process and a passion for creating systems that empower non-researchers (like PMs and Designers) to conduct high-quality work.
  • Process-Oriented Mindset: You are a natural systems thinker, adept at identifying inefficiencies, designing new processes, and creating clear documentation to support them.
  • Hands-On Tool & Analytic Systems Expertise: You have direct experience managing key research tools, such as participant management platforms, survey tools, and research repositories. You're also comfortable working with user data at scale to produce targeted samples based on stakeholder needs (Google Sheets, PowerBI, SQL, Heap, Databricks, Fullstory, etc.). 
  • Exceptional Communication & Stakeholder Management: You can build strong working relationships, clearly articulate complex processes, and confidently guide stakeholders through operational requirements. You have excellent English "wordsmithing" skills for proofreading participant communications, screener questionnaires, and survey content.
  • Proactive & Autonomous: You are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, and are driven to take ownership and deliver results with minimal oversight. You are capable of operating in ambiguity and aligning varied stakeholders in pursuit of novel goals.

Nice to Haves

  • Experience working with or supporting user research via AI-powered features.
  • Experience supporting user research in a post-merger or multi-brand environment.
  • Experience within the real estate, marketplace, or B2B space.

Compensation:  

The base pay range for this position is $143,000 - $159,000; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Bonuses and restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of benefits. Base pay is based on market location. Minimum wage for the position will always be met.

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