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Research Development Manager Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D ... The Development Manager (DM) at Breakthrough T1D is integral in the day-to-day execution of ...

Product Development Manager - Retail

Nashville, TN ยท On-site

$110K - $138K/yr

Oversee the product life cycle from trend research to custom art development, vendor art management, merchandising plans, and web integration. Reports to Director of Product Development. * Manage ...

Business Development Manager - Memphis, TN The Business Development Manager expands market share ... Conduct pre-call research and planning to gain insights into customer needs and priorities

Create business development strategies; research, locate, define and target key business prospects ... Manage contract negotiations and accelerate customer adoption * Develop long-term strategic ...

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Research Development Manager information

See Tennessee salary details

$44K

$92.4K

$149.8K

How much do research development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for research development manager in Tennessee is $92,390.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,300.00 and $105,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a research and development manager do?

A research and development manager oversees the development of new products, processes, or technologies within an organization. They coordinate research activities, manage teams of scientists or engineers, and ensure projects meet objectives, budgets, and deadlines, often utilizing project management tools and technical expertise.

How much do R&D managers make in the US?

Research and Development (R&D) managers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $130,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $90,000 to over $180,000 depending on industry, experience, and location. They often require strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and a background in science or engineering.

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

AspectResearch Development ManagerResearch Scientist
CredentialsTypically requires a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field, along with project management experienceUsually holds a master's or Ph.D. in a specific scientific discipline
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, and coordinates research efforts within organizationsConducts experiments, analyzes data, and develops new scientific knowledge
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in R&D departments across industries like pharmaceuticals, tech, and manufacturingFound in laboratories, research institutes, and academic settings

The Research Development Manager focuses on overseeing research projects, managing teams, and aligning research goals with organizational strategies. In contrast, the Research Scientist primarily conducts experiments and generates scientific data. Both roles require advanced degrees, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

Is it hard to get into R&D?

Research Development Managers typically need a strong background in their field, often requiring a relevant degree and experience in research or project management. Entry can be competitive, especially for senior roles, but developing skills in data analysis, innovation, and collaboration can improve chances of entering R&D positions.

What is a Research Development Manager?

A Research Development Manager is a professional responsible for supporting and enhancing research activities within an organization, typically in academic, scientific, or corporate settings. They help identify funding opportunities, facilitate collaborations, and provide strategic guidance to researchers during grant proposal development. Their role often includes managing research projects, ensuring compliance with regulations, and helping translate research ideas into successful funding applications. Research Development Managers play a critical role in advancing the organization's research agenda and maximizing funding success.

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

To thrive as a Research Development Manager, you need strong project management, grant writing, and analytical skills, usually supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with research administration software, funding databases, and compliance systems is typically required. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking abilities help you build partnerships and lead cross-functional teams effectively. These skills are crucial for securing research funding, ensuring compliance, and advancing organizational research goals.

What are some common challenges faced by Research Development Managers, and how can they be addressed?

Research Development Managers often navigate challenges such as balancing multiple complex projects, securing funding, and coordinating across diverse teams. To address these, strong organizational skills and proactive communication are essential. Building robust relationships with researchers, administrators, and external partners helps streamline collaboration, while staying updated on funding opportunities can increase success rates for grant proposals. Regularly attending professional development workshops also helps managers stay current with best practices in research administration.

What is R and D department salary?

The salary for a Research Development Manager typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles or those in high-demand sectors may offer higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses and benefits.
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Development jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Research Development jobs in Tennessee are:
Infographic showing various Research Development Manager job openings in Tennessee as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,390 per year, or $44.4 per hour.

Development Manager

Breakthrough T1D

Brentwood, TN โ€ข Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


Job description

As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with T1D better while driving toward cures. We invest in the most promising research to turn ideas into life-changing therapies and devices. We work with government, regulatory officials, and insurance companies to address issues that impact the T1D community -- breaking through barriers that limit access to care worldwide. We provide resources and guidance that makes it easier to live and thrive with T1D. This is more than a moment -- we're empowering a movement for the T1D community. Share your support and help educate and empower individuals facing type 1 diabetes.

Our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent and ultimately, cure T1D and its complications. Always, we are guided by a single purpose: As we drive towards curing type 1 diabetes, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it.

The Development Manager (DM) at Breakthrough T1D is integral in the day-to-day execution of integrated fundraising efforts to support our organizational strategy and mission. Their relationships with constituents and donors on behalf of Breakthrough T1D will ensure the expansion of our reach to support maximum chapter and event growth to further our mission.

The Development Manager role focuses on relationship building with donors and fundraising volunteers within their assigned event portfolio, driving impact and strengthening both donor and volunteer pipeline resulting in increased revenue and results.

This individual is a high-impact, high-energy team player who can effectively bring the mission to life within the community through collaboration, cultivation, inspiration, and engagement. They will implement activities to support organizational strategies through their assigned event revenue portfolio to drive optimal results and actively demonstrate and promote enterprise-wide mindsets.

As one of the top performing chapters in the country, the Southern States territory plays a vital role in the organization's success. The Southern States Territory has 5 Chapters, 19 staff, 7 Chapter Boards and drives over $7 million in total net revenue. The Development Manager will be leading Peer-to-Peer fundraising efforts in Middle Tennessee including the Nashville Walk, and Territory wide with our Run, Ride and DIY programs raising over $700,000.

We offer a hybrid work schedule with both remote and in-office time with the physical office located in Brentwood, TN.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising & Engagement - 60%

  • Implement revenue and engagement plans that drive new levels of performance and year-over-year growth in the chapter. This includes driving individual and corporate supporter growth within assigned event portfolio.
  • Responsible for achieving personal event revenue goals and support the achievement of overall event, and ultimately chapter revenue and engagement goals.
  • Secure event sponsors and corporate teams to drive greater awareness and revenue for assigned event(s)
  • Provide 1:1 coaching of fundraising best practices with event participants; elevate fundraising activation
  • Develop and implement recruitment and fundraising engagement events that will lead to increased participation and fundraising activation.
  • In collaboration with national and chapter partners, implement annual strategies that will drive growth of assigned event portfolio through corporate and individual donor engagement and stewardship at the event level. Identify and develop new business with existing donors and new prospects.
  • Implement stewardship strategies of all event supporters that align to programstandards; ensuring they are done timely and consistently throughout the year
  • Deploy tactics and strategies within event portfolio that drive foundation and pipeline building activities in support of long-term success of organization
  • Implement strategies to retain, acquire and activate supporters in events that will ensure fundraising, and participation goals are met for current and future activities

Volunteer Management - 20%

  • Recruit, cultivate, and manage volunteer leaders that drive revenueas key partners; includes event leadership and committees
  • Ensure meaningful engagement of volunteers at all levels and engage in good working relationships with key volunteer partners.
  • Partner with volunteer leadership to solicit funding and other support from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources of funding and/or influence.

Awareness - 10%

  • Support and maintain the vision, mission, and priorities of Breakthrough T1D. Understand and be able to articulate the strategic direction and purpose of the organization.
  • Demonstrate an educated and enthusiastic understanding of Breakthrough T1D's mission and research therapeutics. Promote mission engagement opportunities throughout the community in the areas of research, advocacy, and community engagement and clinical trials.
  • Represent the interests, professionalism, and integrity of Breakthrough T1D in all activities and relationships through a commitment to organizational standards and leadership by personal example.

Administration and Management - 10%

  • Maintain departmental and organization-wide policies and procedures
  • Develops expertise in fundraising management platforms, as appropriate.
  • Participate in monthly strategy meetings with fundraising events program partners to monitor KPI progress, identify risks and opportunities, and take actions as appropriate to ensure success of event(s).
  • Partner annually with national program partner(s) to establish budget and pipeline strategies specific to event portfolio and role.

Requirements:

  • 3-5 years of fundraising experience, with a clear record of achievement in a complex, mission-driven organization with revenue responsibilities more than $500k; experience working directly in large scale events (walk, gala, etc.). Strong skills in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and on-going stewardship of donors and supporters.
  • Experience partnering with strong and active volunteers, including working successfully with a large network of passionate volunteers.
  • Demonstrate a high degree of energy, integrity, courage, empathy, and creativity. A team player who can achieve individual objectives and support those of the entire chapter team.
  • Proven ability to successfully maintain an extensive network of strategic relationships (donors, volunteers, community partners, etc.) in the local area.Existing knowledge and network of relationships in the territory preferred.
  • Ability to be an enthusiastic spokesperson/representative of Breakthrough T1D's mission. Clear communicator with ability to inspire others to engage and support an organization's mission.
  • Highly efficient in time management and able to meet deadlines under pressure.
  • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM databases.
  • College degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Ability to travel locally required. Evening and weekend work as needed.

Essential Functions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and infrequently up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits:

Breakthrough T1D offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, voluntary benefits, flexible spending and commuter benefit accounts, an employee assistance program (EAP), life and disability insurance, performance-based bonuses, and generous paid time off. Benefits may vary by job level and full time or part time status.

Additional information:

Requests for medical, religious, and other exemptions will be considered on an individual basis. Breakthrough T1D will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Breakthrough T1D supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Breakthrough T1D is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.