ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Research Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GDIT

Sr. Clinical Research Director (TBI)

Tacoma, WA

The Sr. Clinical Research Director will provide leadership to ensure all operations support quality patient care and clinical research and comply with all Command, federal, state, regulatory, TBI CoE ...

New

Echelon Insights

Research Team Roles

Alexandria, VA · On-site

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

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsResearch JobsResearch Director Jobs

Research Director information

See salary details

$57.5K

$191.3K

$230.5K

How much do research director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for research director in the United States is $191,320.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,500.00 and $229,000.00 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.

How to become a research director?

To become a research director, candidates typically need a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field, extensive experience in research roles, and strong leadership and project management skills. Progression often involves advancing through research positions, developing expertise, and demonstrating the ability to oversee large projects and teams.

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 coordinate with other departments to implement findings effectively. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and familiarity with research tools are essential for this role.

What is the highest paying job in research?

The highest paying research roles are often senior positions such as Chief Scientific Officer or Director of Research in industries like pharmaceuticals, technology, or finance. These roles typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and leadership skills, with salaries reaching into the high six or seven figures annually.

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.

How much do research directors make in the US?

Research directors in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $100,000 to $150,000, depending on industry, experience, and location. Senior research directors or those in specialized fields can earn higher compensation, often exceeding $200,000 with bonuses and benefits included.
More about Research Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Research Director jobs? Cities with the most Research Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Research jobs? The most popular types of Research jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Research Director jobs? The top employers for Research Director jobs are:
What states have the most Research Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Director jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Research Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Research Director jobs are:
Research Director jobs near you
Custom Research Director, Qual UXR

Custom Research Director, Qual UXR

MarketCast, Inc.

Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Custom Research Director, Qual UXR
US - Remote
Role Description:
As a Custom Research Director on our Qualitative UXR team, you will be responsible for overseeing the successful execution of a variety of research projects, leveraging your expertise to deliver smart research designs and comprehensive analysis plans. You will define the vision for reports, demonstrating expert-level analysis and insights to clients. This role also involves managing a few researchers, overseeing resourcing strategy to achieve project goals and providing guidance and support in individual team members' development, ensuring high client satisfaction for every project.
  • You will manage overall client relationships, ensuring high client satisfaction across every project, proactively reaching out to understand their business and needs. Facilitating strategic discussions with clients will allow you to understand their long-term goals and ensure the research aligns with their objectives. This role involves acting as the primary point of contact for clients, addressing their concerns, and providing regular updates on project progress, solidifying MarketCast's reputation as a trusted partner. Your contributions will be instrumental in building long-term partnerships and driving client success.
  • As a manager, you will maintain accountability for your team's performance and professional development. You will provide on-the-job coaching and targeted training plans, and contribute to the development and lead the execution of team-wide training plans. Attracting and recruiting top industry talent will be a key aspect of your role, ensuring that the team is equipped with the skills and expertise necessary to excel. Establishing team member resourcing strategy to achieve project goals, you'll ensure efficient and effective project execution.
  • Supporting senior Research team members on business development efforts for existing clients will involve demonstrating a deep understanding of client needs and market trends. You will contribute to the development of research strategies and participate in client pitches, leveraging your expertise to secure new business opportunities. By collaborating with the Commercial team to pitch new business, you'll ensure the Research team's scope is accurately covered in proposals. Your contributions will be vital in expanding MarketCast's client base and driving revenue growth.
  • You will oversee the planning and execution of qualitative research projects, primarily usability research, ensuring quality and timeliness, as well as manage and monitor projects end-to-end, ensuring that all stakeholders are clear on responsibilities, objectives, and deadlines. Your ability to manage and monitor projects end-to-end, ensuring that all stakeholders are clear on responsibilities, objectives, and deadlines, guarantees smooth project execution. Effective collaboration with all departments and stakeholders ensures a cohesive approach to project delivery.
  • You will direct discussion guide design, ensuring guides meet not only client objectives but also industry standards and best practices. You will collaborate with senior leadership to develop innovative methodologies and enhancements to processes. By staying abreast of the latest qualitative research techniques and technologies, you will enhance the quality and reliability of MarketCast's research instruments. Your expertise in instrument development will contribute to the accuracy and relevance of the data collected, ultimately benefiting clients.
  • Leading the development of comprehensive analysis plans by providing strategic guidance and support to junior team members is crucial for extracting meaningful insights from research data. Ensuring the integration of insights from different research projects provides comprehensive recommendations to clients. Your role involves overseeing the analysis and reporting, ensuring data accuracy and integrity throughout the analysis process. By ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data, you'll enable clients to make informed decisions based on solid evidence.
  • Leading the development of client reports, ensuring they meet quality standards and client expectations, is a critical aspect of your role. Ensuring that the deliverable is client ready ensures that reports are clear, concise, and impactful. You will lead client presentations, demonstrating expert-level analysis and insights to drive client decision-making, effectively communicating research findings to clients. Turning data interpretation into an impactful story for the client that drives action, you'll enable them to make informed strategic decisions.
  • You will support senior team members in managing project budgets to ensure projects are delivered within financial constraints. Monitoring budgets regularly, flag when scope creep has cost implications and work with Research leads to address. Begin learning the inputs that go into overall project budget, including the amount of research hours and direct costs it takes to execute a project. This ensures the financial health and profitability of MarketCast's research operations.
  • Providing input to shape the direction of company-wide initiatives, such as product development, research on research, and thought leadership, is a valuable contribution to MarketCast's overall strategy. Collaborating with other departments (ex. Operations, Product, Marketing) to drive initiatives forward, you'll foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. By sharing your insights and expertise, you'll help MarketCast remain at the forefront of the market research industry. Your engagement will play a vital role in shaping the company's future direction and success.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field; Master's degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in market research, with a focus on qualitative research, ideally with some UXR experience.
  • 3+ years managing a team of researchers.
  • Proven ability to design and execute complex research projects from inception to completion.
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently explore options and paths for solving problems, while also seeking input from others and proactively suggesting recommendations for solutions.
  • Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to think critically and analyze data beyond the basics, leveraging various data sources and expertise to inform actionable recommendations.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate messages and actions clearly and confidently.
  • Ability to manage deadlines for oneself and the team, prioritize tasks, and multitask effectively with strong attention to detail.
  • Strong client relationship-building skills, with a proven track record of managing and growing client accounts.
  • Commercial acumen, with the ability to understand client needs and identify opportunities for further engagement.

Who We Are:
MarketCast measures what moves people. Powered by AI, trained on decades of verified consumer response data, along with proprietary technology, MarketCast is the marketing effectiveness partner for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting emotional resonance to real-world business outcomes across advertising, sponsorships, content, brand health, and advanced analytics. With category-deep expertise spanning sports, entertainment, travel, automotive, and consumer brands, our team of seasoned industry strategists brings unmatched human intelligence to every engagement, turning complex data into decisive action so brands know exactly what's working, why it's working, and what to do next.
At MarketCast, we don't just accept difference - we embrace it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our global culture and success. MarketCast is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. Check us out on LinkedIn and at: www.marketcast.com
Our Values:
Move the Needle
We turn insight into action and action into impact, acting with urgency and intention at every level, anticipating what's needed, executing with discipline, and driving outcomes that are measured and meaningful.
Client Success is Our Scoreboard
We win when our clients win. Delivering scaled, tech-enabled solutions that drive measurable impact and value to build lasting partnerships.
Grow Every Day
Expertise is earned continuously by investing in our craft, our colleagues, and our company.
Own It
Take responsibility for outcomes, not just outputs.
Benefits:
  • Free movie tickets!
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Wellness and mental health support
  • Professional growth and career development including LinkedIn Learning

Per the pay transparency law, the hiring range for this position is $86,000 to $95,000. As a candidate for this position, your salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon your work experience, education, skill set, and any other factors MarketCast considers relevant to the hiring decision. In addition to your salary, MarketCast believes in providing a competitive total rewards package for its employees. All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, and the terms of our official plan may be modified or amended from time to time.
CCPA NOTICE: In accordance with the California Consumer Privacy Act, please note that we collect some or all the below categories of personal information from you as part of the application process and use it for the purposes indicated. Category of Personal Information: 1. Name, Contact Information (phone, email, address) Purpose: To be able to contact you 2. Information on work history and education Purpose: To be able to assess qualifications for the role 3. Race/ethnicity information (optional) Purpose: To comply with governmental reporting obligations 4. Veteran and military Status (optional) Purpose: to comply with governmental reporting obligation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply