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Research Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Echelon Insights

Research Team Roles

Alexandria, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Work one-on-one with a Research Director and develop Research Director skills * Coordinate with Data Team on survey programming, link testing, banner points, weights, and crosstab needs prior to any ...

Echelon Insights

Research Team Roles

Alexandria, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Work one-on-one with a Research Director and develop Research Director skills * Coordinate with Data Team on survey programming, link testing, banner points, weights, and crosstab needs prior to any ...

Virginia Tech

Director of Research

Blacksburg, VA · Hybrid

Director of Research Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536351 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: Vice President for Research Department: Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Location:

EAB

Director, Research Advisory Services

Richmond, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Director, Research Advisory Services EAB is the leading global provider of research and advice to higher education and K-12 institutions. Our research programs help executives at client organizations ...

EAB

Director, Research Advisory Services

Richmond, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Director, Research Advisory Services EAB is the leading global provider of research and advice to higher education and K-12 institutions. Our research programs help executives at client organizations ...

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All JobsResearch JobsResearch Director JobsResearch Director Jobs in Virginia

Research Director information

See Virginia salary details

$57K

$189.7K

$228.5K

How much do research director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for research director in Virginia is $189,679.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,300.00 and $227,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Research Director vs Research Manager?

AspectResearch DirectorResearch Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in relevant field; often advanced degreesBachelor's or Master's in relevant field; some roles prefer advanced degrees
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in research departments, overseeing multiple projectsManaging research teams and projects, focusing on execution
Industry UsageUsed in corporate, academic, and government research settingsCommon in corporate and academic research teams

The Research Director typically holds a higher strategic leadership role, overseeing research initiatives and setting long-term goals. The Research Manager focuses more on managing day-to-day research activities and team coordination. Both roles require strong research credentials, but the Research Director's scope is broader and more strategic.

What does a research director do?

A research director oversees research projects, manages teams of researchers, and develops strategies to meet organizational goals. They analyze data, ensure research quality, and often collaborate with other departments to apply findings effectively. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and familiarity with research tools are essential for this role.

How does a research director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

As a Research Director, you will frequently work with cross-functional teams, including product managers, data analysts, marketing professionals, and senior leadership. Collaboration often involves establishing research priorities, aligning on project goals, and communicating key findings to various stakeholders. Effective Research Directors facilitate regular meetings, provide clear direction to research staff, and ensure that research insights are integrated into broader organizational strategies. This collaborative approach is essential for delivering impactful research outcomes that support business objectives.

What is a research director?

A research director manages a company’s research and development department. As a research director, you supervise team members, overseeing data collection and analysis, product design, and manufacturing. Other responsibilities include hiring and training new staff, conducting performance evaluations, and gathering information and preparing detailed reports about the progress and outcomes of research projects. The qualifications for a career as a research director are a doctorate in science and at least five years of management experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Director, you need advanced expertise in research methodology, data analysis, and project management, typically supported by a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field. Familiarity with statistical software, data visualization tools, and research management systems is often required. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for guiding research teams, ensuring the quality of deliverables, and aligning projects with organizational goals.
More about Research Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Research jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Research jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Director jobs in Virginia?

For Research Director jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Director jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Director jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Research Director jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Research Director job openings:

Research Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Director job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $189,679 per year, or $91.2 per hour.

Research Team Roles

Echelon Insights

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Research Analysts Talent Pool

Research Analysts support our research team and senior-level staff in developing and answering research questions that build data-driven strategy for corporate, political, and nonprofit clients. Analysts will provide logistical and administrative support to the Research team, including coordination of survey and focus group work, scheduling, and editing. Analysts will contribute ideas and background research to help shape research design, focus, and findings, and to make their mark on reports, presentations, and deliverables that will go to clients and the public. The ideal candidate will be a motivated self-starter with a strong commitment to detail, and should have a demonstrable interest in politics, policy, and survey research.

Main Responsibilities:

  • Assist with drafting survey instruments and proposed research designs
  • Incorporate client edits to research instruments during the drafting process
  • Coordinate logistics for research projects, including focus groups and surveys
  • Create key deliverables for opinion research projects including crosstabs, focus group video and transcripts, etc and compile key findings in cooperation with Research Director
  • Work one-on-one with a Research Director and develop Research Director skills
  • Coordinate with Data Team on survey programming, link testing, banner points, weights, and crosstab needs prior to any survey fielding
  • Coordinate with Operations Team on contracts and billing

Requirements:

  • Previous experience in an academic or professional research setting
  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field
  • Data-driven and a strong desire to work with numbers
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to juggle and prioritize multiple projects
  • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Prior experience with statistical software like R, SPSS, or STATA a plus
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and Keynote

The salary range for Research Analysts is $60,000- $75,000

Research Directors Talent Pool

Research Directors drive research strategy and deliver customized insights to our clients using our suite of data analytics products and services. Our Research Directors coordinate with our senior-most staff to execute qualitative and quantitative projects from start to finish — from proposal to research design and development to analysis and presentation of research results. The ideal candidate will merge creative design ability with quantitative data skills in order to use every tool at their disposal to paint a holistic picture of the trends facing our clients. Echelon Research Directors are adept at working with quantitative and qualitative research and should have a well-developed skill set working with data in tools like Excel, SQL, or R. 

Main Responsibilities:

  • Manage all aspects of the research process from start to finish, including drafting proposals, overseeing logistics, executing timeline, developing a research design, and analyzing and presenting data
  • Work directly with clients to build research design tailored to each clients’ needs and budgets
  • Translate conceptual research design into actionable methodology
  • Be able to independently develop questionnaires and moderator guides
  • Perform essential data wrangling, processing, and transformation
  • Write, edit, and present written or visual deliverables based on Echelon data products
  • Present findings to clients with occasional assistance from the partners as needed
  • Should be the final check on all deliverables - is responsible for the accuracy and professionalism of everything that goes to a client
  • Delegate work to research analysts and provide work feedback and training constantly 
 

Requirements:

  • Minimum two years of previous experience in an academic or professional research setting
  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field
  • Data-driven and a strong desire to work with numbers
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to juggle and prioritize multiple projects
  • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Prior experience with statistical software like R, SPSS, or STATA a plus
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and Keynote

The starting salary range for Research Directors is $100,000- $115,000
 
Echelon Insights is a right-of-center decision strategy firm that blends innovative survey research techniques with data science and digital analytics to help our clients win the battle for hearts and minds. The work environment is fast-paced and growth-oriented, with all team members taking ownership for client success. Echelon Insights is headquartered in historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and offers competitive benefits, including health, dental, vision, and 401a SIMPLE IRA option. Echelon follows a hybrid work schedule with 3 days/week in office and 2 days remote.
Echelon Insights provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, veteran status, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. This application does not constitute a guarantee or offer of employment.

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