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Research Development Manager Jobs in Fishers, IN

This role will also have elements of a business development role - you'll go out and meet potential ... Perform market and client research. * Dispatch technicians using Service Titan (CRM) to jobs ...

Manager, Product Development

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$109K - $136K/yr

As a member of the local management team, the individual will be responsible for the coordination ... A background in product research and development preferred. Demonstrated experience in the ...

Manager, Product Development

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$109K - $136K/yr

As a member of the local management team, the individual will be responsible for the coordination ... A background in product research and development preferred. Demonstrated experience in the ...

Showing results 41-60

Research Development Manager information

See Fishers, IN salary details

$45.4K

$95.3K

$154.4K

How much do research development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for research development manager in Fishers, IN is $95,280.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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?

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 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 a research development manager a good job?

A research development manager oversees research projects and coordinates efforts to innovate and improve products or services. The role typically requires strong project management, communication skills, and knowledge of research methodologies, with employment prospects often stable in industries like technology, healthcare, and academia.

What cities near Fishers, IN are hiring for Research Development Manager jobs?

Cities near Fishers, IN with the most Research Development Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Research Development Manager job openings in Fishers, IN as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,280 per year, or $45.8 per hour.

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) - it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose - all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals' lives better makes life better - join our team today!
Your Role: R&D Project Manager
As an R&D Project Manager, you will serve as a strategic partner to project leaders, responsible for guiding complex Global R&D projects from concept to completion. You will work at the intersection of science and project execution, interfacing with global teams in Regulatory, Manufacturing, R&D, and Marketing. Your role is critical in ensuring robust, proactive project plans are designed and implemented, helping to manage risk and successfully deliver Elanco's R&D portfolio. This is a role for a strategic thinker who can provide macro-level planning while also managing micro-level details to drive novel scientific developments forward.
Your Responsibilities:
  • Strategic Project & Scope Management: Act as a strategic partner to project leaders by independently managing all project management activities for complex, high-impact development programs. You will guide the execution of deliverables by managing schedules, costs, and performance risks, facilitating scenario planning to develop realistic milestones, and maintaining all scope documentation to ensure alignment with strategic goals.

  • Timeline & Performance Oversight: Take full ownership of the project plan, which includes developing and maintaining up-to-date timelines and process maps. You will identify, manage, and communicate the critical path and leading indicators of progress, monitor performance-to-plan, and proactively guide team action to keep the project on track, ensuring data completeness and quality across all systems.

  • Budget & Financial Partnership: Partner with Finance, functional areas, and geographies to manage the team's overall development budget. This includes consulting with the development team to understand and report on variances, driving re-forecasts, updating budget data in the appropriate tools, and providing the team with a clear understanding of the cost of different development options.

  • Proactive Risk & Contingency Planning: Guide the comprehensive assessment of development risks, establishing robust mitigation and contingency plans with clear ownership. You will proactively identify and communicate risks that may affect the critical path and independently trigger the implementation of contingency plans to avoid or mitigate those risks.

  • Process Improvement & Shared Learning: Advocate for a culture of quality and continuous improvement by generating ideas for new processes and sharing learnings with the team and function. You will identify methods to streamline effectiveness, decrease development cycle times, and ensure the consistent application of PM tools and concepts to ultimately maximize business value.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
  • Education & Experience: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a scientific or related field with 8-10 years of relevant experience in project management or a related scientific role.

  • Comprehensive Scientific & Regulatory Expertise: A deep understanding of the veterinary drug development process, including the interdependencies of various tasks that require coordination among global teams, functional groups, and third parties. This includes demonstrated experience with regulatory submission processes/requirements and a strong grasp of GCP, GLP, and GMP quality principles.

  • Advanced Project Management & Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated mastery of core project management fundamentals and processes as defined by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). Strong technical proficiency with project management software, the Microsoft Office Suite, and emerging AI platforms is essential.

  • Cross-Functional Influence & Team Leadership: Proven ability to influence without direct authority and guide global, cross-functional teams through complex and ambiguous situations. Possesses strong interpersonal and team-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to develop effective teams with diverse interpersonal styles and deliver effective coaching and feedback.

  • Proactive Problem-Solving & Adaptability: A proactive and anticipatory approach to problem-solving, with the proven ability to anticipate and recognize systemic problems, diagnose root causes, and take corrective action to prevent recurrence. Must be able to demonstrate high flexibility and adjust quickly and effectively to frequent change and altered priorities.

What will give you an advantage (preferred qualifications):
  • PMP or CAPM certification, demonstrating a strong foundation in project management principles.

  • Direct experience in the Animal Health industry.

  • A growth mindset and curiosity, with an eagerness to ask questions and learn rapidly.

  • Proven ability to work effectively both on your own and as a highly collaborative team member.

Additional Information:
  • Travel: Up to 10% annually.

  • Location: Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
  • Multiple relocation packages

  • Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)

  • 8-week parental leave

  • 9 Employee Resource Groups

  • Annual bonus offering

  • Flexible work arrangements

  • Up to 6% 401K matching

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

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