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Research Operations Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director Clinical Research Operations

Lone Tree, CO · Hybrid

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Director Clinical Operations Position Spotlight: * Lead regional clinical operations strategy and ... Oversee high-quality, compliant clinical research delivery across multiple countries and regulatory ...

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Research Operations Director information

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$34K

$107.7K

$179.5K

How much do research operations director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for research operations director in the United States is $107,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.
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Cities with the most Research Operations Director job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Operations jobs?

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What states have the most Research Operations Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Research Operations Director jobs include:

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Infographic showing various Research Operations Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,680 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

#127820 - Research Operations Associate

Lifted, an Upwork Company™

Texas City, TX • On-site, Remote

Contractor

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Company Description
Job Description
We are seeking a Research Operations Associate to support a UX Research team with participant recruitment, study coordination, research repository management, and Research Operations process improvement.
This role is well suited to someone with 1-2 years of experience supporting UX teams, coordinating cross-functional programs, or managing research participants or panels. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, comfortable managing several concurrent projects, and interested in UX Research and Design Thinking.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the end-to-end participant recruitment process for UX research studies, with a strong focus on B2B and employer participants.
- Source, screen, schedule, and communicate with research participants.
- Coordinate participant NDAs, research-session logistics, and incentive payments.
- Manage multiple research projects and recruiting workflows simultaneously.
- Communicate proactively with researchers about recruiting challenges, participant availability, and study risks.
- Recommend alternative participant-recruiting approaches when the initial strategy is not producing sufficient results.
- Partner closely with UX researchers to understand study requirements and support the research lifecycle.
- Lead the migration of a Google-based UX research repository to Dovetail.
- Support research repository organization, maintenance, and thematic analysis.
- Serve as a liaison between Research Operations and UX Research stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities to improve Research Operations processes using design thinking and continuous-improvement practices.
- Create participant-recruiting resources, templates, and best-practice guidance for researchers.
- Coordinate with Legal and Policy stakeholders on participant compliance and approval requirements.
- Support UX research vendor management, procurement activities, and budget tracking.
- Help onboard new UX researchers and promote consistent Research Operations practices.
Qualifications
Must-Have Skills
- 1-2 years of experience supporting UX teams, coordinating cross-functional programs, or managing research participants or panels.
- Experience recruiting participants, preferably for UX research studies.
- Experience coordinating schedules, calendars, and multiple concurrent projects.
- Understanding of or demonstrated interest in UX Research and Design Thinking.
- Strong Agile and Jira experience.
- Experience using calendar management and scheduling tools.
- Experience using online collaboration tools.
- Experience using Qualtrics or an equivalent survey platform.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking skills.
- Strong project coordination and attention to detail.
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills.
- Collaborative, curious, empathetic, proactive, and self-driven working style.
Nice-to-Have Skills
- Direct Research Operations experience.
- Experience recruiting B2B or employer participants.
- Experience using Dovetail.
- Experience supporting research repository management or migration.
- Experience supporting thematic analysis.
- Vendor-management or procurement experience.
- Budget-tracking experience.
- Experience coordinating with Legal or Policy teams.
- Knowledge of UX research methodologies and participant-recruiting best practices.
- Experience onboarding UX researchers or creating Research Operations resources.
- Enterprise experience strongly preferred.
Additional Information
Required Tools & Platforms
- Jira
- Qualtrics or an equivalent survey platform
- Calendar management and scheduling tools
- Online collaboration tools
Location, Time & Engagement
- Open to candidates located in the United States or LATAM.
- Significant working-hour overlap with Eastern and Central U.S. time zones is highly preferred.
- Full-time contract engagement at approximately 40 hours per week.
- Remote role.
- Current contract end date is March 31, 2027.