Research Director Jobs
Research Director jobs are open across academia, biotech, healthcare, market research, and policy organizations, from senior scientist to executive level, with specializations in clinical research, consumer insights, and policy analysis. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 464+ Research Director jobs
Who We Are
FTI Consulting is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation. We work with many of the world’s top multinational corporations, law firms, banks and private equity firms on their most important issues to deliver impact that makes a difference. From resolving disputes, navigating crises, managing risk and optimizing performance, our teams respond rapidly to dynamic and complex situations.
At FTI Consulting, you’ll work side-by side with leaders who have shaped history, helping solve the biggest challenges making headlines today. From day one, you’ll be an integral part of a focused team where you can make a real impact. You’ll be surrounded by an open, collaborative culture that embraces diversity, recognition, professional development and, most importantly, you.
Are you ready to make your impact?
About The Role
We are seeking a Director for our Chicago office within the Corporate Positioning & Insights practice, serving on the primary research team and leading the execution of quantitative and qualitative research engagements.
What You’ll Do
Design, scope, and execute primary research projects, including drafting of questionnaires and discussion guides.
Manage and actively execute the full primary research lifecycle from inception to completion, ensuring projects are executed efficiently and with strong attention to detail.
Lead and contribute directly to project deliverables, including the management of fielding surveys and personally conducting focus groups and in-depth interviews.
Lead small to medium projects independently, while collaborating with senior members of the team on large-scale and global initiatives.
Guide and mentor early career professionals on research methodologies and best practices, while demonstrating strong hands-on research execution.
How You’ll Grow
We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development and we have developed a range of programs focused on fostering leadership, growth and development opportunities. We aim to promote continuous learning and individual skills development through on-the-job learning, self-guided professional development courses and certifications. You’ll be assigned a dedicated coach to mentor, guide and support you through regular coaching sessions and serve as an advocate for your professional growth.
As you progress through your career at FTI Consulting, we offer tailored programs for critical professional milestones to ensure you are prepared and empowered to take on your next role.
What You Will Need to Succeed
Basic Qualifications
Minimum 7 years conducting primary research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
At least 3 years in project management/lead capacity.
Minimum 3 years in a multi-client opinion research agency or consulting firm managing multiple simultaneous projects (typically 4-5 at a time).
Travel required to clients and to FTI office(s)
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; the employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas
Preferred Qualifications
Proven track record designing and executing quantitative survey research, including questionnaire development, survey programming oversight, and analysis of survey datasets.
Proven track record managing and executing qualitative research, including focus group setup and moderation (in-person and online) and in-depth interviews (formal training such as RIVA preferred).
Expertise managing full research project lifecycles, including deadline management, vendor coordination, and quality control of research deliverables.
Proficiency creating impactful PowerPoint presentations that translate research and data into actionable insights.
Proficiency in developing survey tabulations, applying weighting, and generating cross-tab analyses using internal research platforms.
Strong understanding of how survey data is structured, with the ability to manipulate data using Excel or other data processing software as needed.
Ability to integrate insights across multiple platforms, analytics streams, and methodologies.
Strong data storytelling capabilities with understanding of creative, digital strategy, and data science integration.
Experience leveraging AI to drive efficiencies and to innovate primary research methodologies.
Excellent verbal presentation and public speaking abilities.
Skill translating research terminology into practical client recommendations.
Strong writing and numerical proficiency.
High attention to detail.
Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
Collaborative approach with enthusiasm for sharing ideas, learning new approaches, and mentoring early career staff.
High comfort working in fast-paced environments, managing and prioritizing multiple research projects at different stages simultaneously.
Operate with a high degree of independence while collaborating closely with team members across different offices.
#LI-BO1 #LI-HYBRID
FTI Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.
Compensation
Minimum Pay: $99,000
Maximum Pay: $152,000
Compensation Disclosure: The compensation range reflects potential base salary for the role. Actual compensation is determined based on a wide array of relevant factors including market considerations, business needs, and an individual’s location, skills, level of experience, and qualifications.
Who We Are
FTI Consulting is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation. We work with many of the world’s top multinational corporations, law firms, banks and private equity firms on their most important issues to deliver impact that makes a difference. From resolving disputes, navigating crises, managing risk and optimizing performance, our teams respond rapidly to dynamic and complex situations.
At FTI Consulting, you’ll work side-by side with leaders who have shaped history, helping solve the biggest challenges making headlines today. From day one, you’ll be an integral part of a focused team where you can make a real impact. You’ll be surrounded by an open, collaborative culture that embraces diversity, recognition, professional development and, most importantly, you.
Are you ready to make your impact?
About The Role
We are seeking a Director for our Chicago office within the Corporate Positioning & Insights practice, serving on the primary research team and leading the execution of quantitative and qualitative research engagements.
What You’ll Do
Design, scope, and execute primary research projects, including drafting of questionnaires and discussion guides.
Manage and actively execute the full primary research lifecycle from inception to completion, ensuring projects are executed efficiently and with strong attention to detail.
Lead and contribute directly to project deliverables, including the management of fielding surveys and personally conducting focus groups and in-depth interviews.
Lead small to medium projects independently, while collaborating with senior members of the team on large-scale and global initiatives.
Guide and mentor early career professionals on research methodologies and best practices, while demonstrating strong hands-on research execution.
How You’ll Grow
We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development and we have developed a range of programs focused on fostering leadership, growth and development opportunities. We aim to promote continuous learning and individual skills development through on-the-job learning, self-guided professional development courses and certifications. You’ll be assigned a dedicated coach to mentor, guide and support you through regular coaching sessions and serve as an advocate for your professional growth.
As you progress through your career at FTI Consulting, we offer tailored programs for critical professional milestones to ensure you are prepared and empowered to take on your next role.
What You Will Need to Succeed
Basic Qualifications
Minimum 7 years conducting primary research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
At least 3 years in project management/lead capacity.
Minimum 3 years in a multi-client opinion research agency or consulting firm managing multiple simultaneous projects (typically 4-5 at a time).
Travel required to clients and to FTI office(s)
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; the employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas
Preferred Qualifications
Proven track record designing and executing quantitative survey research, including questionnaire development, survey programming oversight, and analysis of survey datasets.
Proven track record managing and executing qualitative research, including focus group setup and moderation (in-person and online) and in-depth interviews (formal training such as RIVA preferred).
Expertise managing full research project lifecycles, including deadline management, vendor coordination, and quality control of research deliverables.
Proficiency creating impactful PowerPoint presentations that translate research and data into actionable insights.
Proficiency in developing survey tabulations, applying weighting, and generating cross-tab analyses using internal research platforms.
Strong understanding of how survey data is structured, with the ability to manipulate data using Excel or other data processing software as needed.
Ability to integrate insights across multiple platforms, analytics streams, and methodologies.
Strong data storytelling capabilities with understanding of creative, digital strategy, and data science integration.
Experience leveraging AI to drive efficiencies and to innovate primary research methodologies.
Excellent verbal presentation and public speaking abilities.
Skill translating research terminology into practical client recommendations.
Strong writing and numerical proficiency.
High attention to detail.
Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
Collaborative approach with enthusiasm for sharing ideas, learning new approaches, and mentoring early career staff.
High comfort working in fast-paced environments, managing and prioritizing multiple research projects at different stages simultaneously.
Operate with a high degree of independence while collaborating closely with team members across different offices.
#LI-BO1 #LI-HYBRID
FTI Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.
Compensation
Minimum Pay: $99,000
Maximum Pay: $152,000
Compensation Disclosure: The compensation range reflects potential base salary for the role. Actual compensation is determined based on a wide array of relevant factors including market considerations, business needs, and an individual’s location, skills, level of experience, and qualifications.
Research Director Jobs by Experience Level
Top Cities Hiring Research Directors
Explore research director openings in the cities hiring most right now.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education43
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals22
- Healthcare & Medical Services17
- Technology & Software13
- Science & Research7
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs.
- Advanced degree in a relevant field such as a PhD or master's degree
- 7 or more years of progressive research experience including supervisory responsibility
- Demonstrated ability to design, lead, and publish or present original research
- Proficiency with statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, R, or similar tools
- Experience securing and managing grants or external research funding
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for executive-level reporting
Tips for Your Research Director Job Search
Quantify your research program outcomes
Research directors are evaluated on what their teams produced, not just what they oversaw. Lead with grant dollars secured, publications output, or studies completed on your resume rather than listing duties. Reviewers want to see scale and results.
Tailor applications to the research model
Academic, industry, and government research director roles have fundamentally different expectations. An industry posting values speed-to-insight and cross-functional collaboration, while academic roles weight publication record and lab leadership. Reframe your experience to match the specific model before you apply.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research director openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight budget and team oversight clearly
Many research director candidates undersell operational scope. If you managed a budget or led a team of researchers, state the size explicitly. Hiring panels use those figures to gauge whether your experience matches the role's complexity from the first pass.
Prepare a portfolio of completed studies
For applied and market research roles, a portfolio of past studies, reports, or frameworks gives interviewers something concrete to assess. Include a brief context note for each entry explaining the business or research question it addressed.
Negotiate scope before accepting an offer
Research director roles vary widely in authority over methodology, staffing, and external partnerships. Before accepting, confirm whether the role controls those decisions or reports into a larger research function. Misaligned expectations on autonomy are a common early friction point.
Research Director Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research directors?
The companies hiring the most research directors right now include Trusted Medical, AbbVie, and EAB, with the largest share of openings in California, New York, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Demand is consistent across healthcare systems, research universities, and market research firms.
How many research director jobs are remote?
About 59% of research director openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with the highest remote share in market research, consumer insights, and policy research roles. Clinical and laboratory research director positions tend to require on-site presence due to hands-on oversight responsibilities.
How do you become a research director?
Most research directors start with an advanced degree and spend several years as individual contributor researchers before moving into lead or principal roles. Building a track of completed projects, developing grant-writing or client-facing experience, and taking on team oversight in a senior researcher capacity are the clearest steps. Demonstrating that you can translate research output into decisions or strategy accelerates the path considerably.
Can you get hired as a research director with limited leadership experience?
It depends on the organization's size and structure. Smaller research teams, startups, and nonprofits often hire researchers into director titles when the candidate has deep subject matter expertise but limited formal management history. Emphasizing mentorship experience, project coordination, and any budget or vendor oversight you have held closes the experience gap in those contexts.
What does the research director interview process look like?
Research director interviews typically involve a recruiter screen, a panel interview with senior leadership and potential direct reports, and a presentation or case exercise where you walk through past research work or respond to a hypothetical challenge. Late-stage conversations often include stakeholders from adjacent functions such as product, marketing, or clinical operations who would rely on your team's output.
Where can I find and apply to research director jobs?
You can find and apply to research director jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each listing from the results page.
See All 464+ Research Director Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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