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Research Operations Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tech Tammina LLC

Plant/Operations Director

Ontario, CA · On-site

Plant/Operations Director Location : United States, , Ontario Status : Full Time, Permanent ... Collaborate with cross-functional departments including Supply Chain, R&D, HR, and Finance to align ...

Caltech

Finance and Operations Director

Pasadena, CA · On-site

... research, people, accomplishments, and impact across print and digital platforms such as Caltech ... The Finance and Operations Director provides critical leadership of the essential business and ...

Superhuman

Head of Design Operations

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$285K - $417K/yr

The Opportunity Superhuman is redefining how the world works, and we're looking for a Director of Design & Research Operations to help lead that transformation. Design & Research Operations sets the ...

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Research Operations Director information

What are the main challenges a research operations director faces in supporting cross-functional research teams?

A Research Operations Director often navigates challenges such as coordinating resources across multiple research projects, ensuring consistent processes, and managing communication between diverse stakeholders like researchers, product managers, and leadership. Balancing the needs of various teams while maintaining research quality and compliance can be complex, especially as organizations scale. Effective directors establish standardized procedures, foster a culture of collaboration, and implement tools that streamline workflows to address these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research operations director?

To thrive as a Research Operations Director, you need expertise in research management, process optimization, and budgeting, often supported by an advanced degree in a related field. Familiarity with project management software, compliance systems, and data analysis tools is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities are crucial for leading teams and coordinating complex projects. These skills ensure efficient research operations, compliance with regulations, and the successful delivery of research outcomes.

What is a research operations director?

A Research Operations Director is a senior professional responsible for overseeing the infrastructure, processes, and resources that support research activities within an organization. They manage teams, budgets, and systems to ensure research projects run efficiently and comply with regulatory standards. Their role often includes improving workflow, implementing best practices, and supporting researchers with tools and training. The goal is to streamline research operations and enhance the impact of research outcomes.

What is the difference between Research Operations Director vs Research Manager?

AspectResearch Operations DirectorResearch Manager
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (e.g., Master’s or PhD) and extensive experience in research managementUsually holds a bachelor’s or master’s degree with several years of research experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple research teams, manages operations, and aligns research strategies with organizational goalsManages specific research projects or teams, focusing on execution and deliverables
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, tech companies, and research institutionsFound across various industries including tech, healthcare, and market research firms

The Research Operations Director focuses on strategic oversight and operational management of research functions, while the Research Manager handles day-to-day project execution. Both roles require research expertise, but the director role involves broader leadership and organizational responsibilities.

What does a research operations director do?

A research operations director oversees the planning, management, and execution of research activities within an organization. They coordinate research teams, ensure compliance with protocols, manage budgets, and optimize processes using tools like research management software to support effective data collection and analysis.
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Operations jobs in California? The most popular types of Research Operations jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Research Operations Director jobs in California? For Research Operations Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Research Operations Director jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Research Operations Director jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Research Operations Director jobs? Cities in California with the most Research Operations Director job openings:
Research Operations Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Operations Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Associate Director, Integrated Research Management

Revolution Medicines

Redwood City, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

The Opportunity:

The Associate Director, Integrated Research Management provides leadership across Research disciplines to strengthen operational execution, organizational clarity, and cross-functional alignment within the Discovery organization. This role translates Research strategy into actionable discipline-level plans and drives operational effectiveness within and across scientific teams.

The Associate Director partners with Research leadership to identify business and scientific challenges, improve operating frameworks, and implement scalable solutions that support Discovery performance and organizational growth.

  • Translate Research strategy into clear operating plans and drive disciplined execution across Discovery workflows.

  • Establish and enforce operational objectives, processes, and decision frameworks that improve cross-disciplinary coordination and execution performance.

  • Diagnose and resolve complex operational challenges, removing friction and strengthening clarity, speed, and accountability in program advancement.

  • Lead and implement change initiatives within Research, ensuring stakeholder alignment and sustained adoption of improved processes and digital tools.

  • Partner directly with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to align priorities and drive operational outcomes.

  • Lead and develop the Research Strategic & Administrative Operations discipline, setting performance expectations and fostering a culture of accountability and execution excellence.

Required Skills, Experience and Education:

  • Master's degree in a Life Sciences discipline and at least 8 years' experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry with at least 3 years' direct experience in Research Operations.

  • Significant experience within pharmaceutical or biotechnology Discovery-stage research environments.

  • Recognized expertise in Research operations within a laboratory-based scientific setting.

  • Demonstrated ability to translate strategic direction into operational execution within matrixed scientific organizations.

  • Strong systems thinking and organizational assessment skills.

  • Experience working within scientific research platforms (e.g., ELN, LIMS) and familiarity with digital tools that support Research workflows.

  • Working awareness of AI-enabled capabilities relevant to Research operations and ability to identify practical applications.

  • Proven people leadership experience and ability to influence across disciplines.

Preferred Skills:

  • MBA or PhD in Life Sciences, is a plus.

  • Experience in Oncology therapeutic area working with small molecules is strongly preferrable.

  • Experience transforming and harmonizing complex scientific datasets to enable advanced analytics or AI/ML applications (e.g., data modeling, metadata standards, feature engineering).

  • Familiarity with modern data lake/lakehouse architectures and cloud-based research data platforms.

    #LI-Hybrid  #LI-LN1

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