Research Director Jobs in Massachusetts
Research Director jobs in Massachusetts are in strong demand, concentrated in biotech and life sciences, academic research, healthcare systems, and technology policy, with openings at every level from newly promoted associate director to senior vice president of research. Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester anchor the market, where employers like Mass General Brigham, MIT, and Biogen consistently hire research directors across clinical, translational, and applied science functions. The most sought-after specializations include clinical research operations, biomedical and translational science, and health policy research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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As the Director, Consumer Insights & Brand Research, you will partner with the GMEO and SVP to develop global consumer insights strategy and brand health tracking. In this role, you will build and oversee global brand research infrastructure; establish measurement standards for brand health, positioning, consumer sentiment, and market perception. You will synthesize insights from multiple sources (brand tracking, market research, category intelligence) into actionable strategic recommendations, and partner with the Data team on brand health analytics and measurement governance. This role will support RMEOs with insights, research methodologies, and capability building, and ensure all brand and creative decisions are grounded in deep consumer understanding. This is a hybrid role; we work on site 4 days and remotely 1 day, weekly.
Brand Health Research & Measurement:
- Design and oversee global brand health tracking program (awareness, consideration, desire, preference)
- Partner with research vendors (IPSOS, Kantar, LPA, etc.) on study design, execution, and analysis
- Establish brand health measurement standards and KPI definitions across all markets and brands
- Own quarterly brand health data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Identify growth opportunities and risk signals from brand health data
- Provide brand health data inputs to Head of Data & Analytics for SSOT dashboard integration
Global Brand Positioning & Segmentation Research:
- Execute global brand positioning audits and refresh programs under SVP direction
- Lead brand segmentation and audience targeting research, including providing guidance for RMEOs to implement learnings in regional segmentation
- Collaborate with RMEOs to translate segmentation into actionable frameworks for regional teams
- Support brand repositioning initiatives
Market Research & Category Intelligence:
- Develop and oversee global category driver research program
- Identify consumer growth opportunities across travel and lifestyle categories
- Conduct competitive landscape analysis and benchmarking
- Monitor market trends and shifts in consumer behavior
- Share category insights with brand strategy and regional teams quarterly
Voice of Consumer (VoC) Research Integration:
- Develop global VoC research framework and standards for brand sentiment tracking
- Interpret VoC findings and emerging patterns affecting brand positioning
- Recommend messaging and positioning adjustments based on VoC findings
Research Partnership Management:
- Lead global research vendor relationships and conduct annual performance reviews
- Ensure quality, timeliness, and rigor across all research initiatives
- Negotiate contracts and service level agreements
Regional Enablement & Capability Building:
- Develop research playbooks and guidance documentation
- Conduct quarterly business reviews with RMEO teams on insights and research
- Build regional capability in research methodologies and insight interpretation Share best practices and learnings across regions
Performance Metrics & Success Measures:
Year 1 Key Priorities
- Launch global brand health tracking program
- Conduct brand positioning audits across all portfolio brands
- Establish brand health SSOT dashboard
- Develop and communicate research playbooks to regions
- Complete category driver research program
Key Performance Indicators
- Brand health tracking scores across markets and segments
- Time to brand health insights (< 4 weeks)
- Regional adoption of research playbooks and standards
- Regional team satisfaction with insights support
- Our employees matter. As a people-focused business, we work hard to provide meaningful rewards and development opportunities for our employees, recognizing performance, and creating a supportive working environment for them, wherever they are based.
- Vibrant culture. We are committed to a diverse and rich culture, welcoming people from all walks of life. Our long-standing commitment to culture and inclusion empowers us to bring our authentic selves and unique differences to work every day.
- Socially responsible. We want to minimize our products' impact on the environment and help create positive journeys worldwide. We do this by creating the best products using the most sustainable and innovative materials, methods, and models.
As the Director, Consumer Insights & Brand Research, you will partner with the GMEO and SVP to develop global consumer insights strategy and brand health tracking. In this role, you will build and oversee global brand research infrastructure; establish measurement standards for brand health, positioning, consumer sentiment, and market perception. You will synthesize insights from multiple sources (brand tracking, market research, category intelligence) into actionable strategic recommendations, and partner with the Data team on brand health analytics and measurement governance. This role will support RMEOs with insights, research methodologies, and capability building, and ensure all brand and creative decisions are grounded in deep consumer understanding. This is a hybrid role; we work on site 4 days and remotely 1 day, weekly.
Brand Health Research & Measurement:
- Design and oversee global brand health tracking program (awareness, consideration, desire, preference)
- Partner with research vendors (IPSOS, Kantar, LPA, etc.) on study design, execution, and analysis
- Establish brand health measurement standards and KPI definitions across all markets and brands
- Own quarterly brand health data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Identify growth opportunities and risk signals from brand health data
- Provide brand health data inputs to Head of Data & Analytics for SSOT dashboard integration
Global Brand Positioning & Segmentation Research:
- Execute global brand positioning audits and refresh programs under SVP direction
- Lead brand segmentation and audience targeting research, including providing guidance for RMEOs to implement learnings in regional segmentation
- Collaborate with RMEOs to translate segmentation into actionable frameworks for regional teams
- Support brand repositioning initiatives
Market Research & Category Intelligence:
- Develop and oversee global category driver research program
- Identify consumer growth opportunities across travel and lifestyle categories
- Conduct competitive landscape analysis and benchmarking
- Monitor market trends and shifts in consumer behavior
- Share category insights with brand strategy and regional teams quarterly
Voice of Consumer (VoC) Research Integration:
- Develop global VoC research framework and standards for brand sentiment tracking
- Interpret VoC findings and emerging patterns affecting brand positioning
- Recommend messaging and positioning adjustments based on VoC findings
Research Partnership Management:
- Lead global research vendor relationships and conduct annual performance reviews
- Ensure quality, timeliness, and rigor across all research initiatives
- Negotiate contracts and service level agreements
Regional Enablement & Capability Building:
- Develop research playbooks and guidance documentation
- Conduct quarterly business reviews with RMEO teams on insights and research
- Build regional capability in research methodologies and insight interpretation Share best practices and learnings across regions
Performance Metrics & Success Measures:
Year 1 Key Priorities
- Launch global brand health tracking program
- Conduct brand positioning audits across all portfolio brands
- Establish brand health SSOT dashboard
- Develop and communicate research playbooks to regions
- Complete category driver research program
Key Performance Indicators
- Brand health tracking scores across markets and segments
- Time to brand health insights (< 4 weeks)
- Regional adoption of research playbooks and standards
- Regional team satisfaction with insights support
- Our employees matter. As a people-focused business, we work hard to provide meaningful rewards and development opportunities for our employees, recognizing performance, and creating a supportive working environment for them, wherever they are based.
- Vibrant culture. We are committed to a diverse and rich culture, welcoming people from all walks of life. Our long-standing commitment to culture and inclusion empowers us to bring our authentic selves and unique differences to work every day.
- Socially responsible. We want to minimize our products' impact on the environment and help create positive journeys worldwide. We do this by creating the best products using the most sustainable and innovative materials, methods, and models.
See All 45 Research Director Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Director JobsResearch Director Jobs by City in Massachusetts
Where Massachusetts roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Director Job Market in Massachusetts
A snapshot from current Massachusetts openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Education
- Science & Research
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Insurance
What Massachusetts Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs across Massachusetts.
- Advanced degree in a relevant scientific, clinical, or policy field required
- Minimum of seven or more years of progressive research experience required
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional research teams and managing budgets
- Strong publication record or equivalent evidence of research output and impact
- Experience with IRB protocols, regulatory compliance, or federal grant management
- Familiarity with Massachusetts-based research funding sources such as the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
Research Director Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research director in Massachusetts?
Most research director roles in Massachusetts require an advanced degree, typically a doctoral or master's degree in a relevant scientific, clinical, or policy field, combined with substantial research leadership experience. Massachusetts does not issue a state license specific to research directors, but roles in clinical research often require familiarity with IRB standards and federal grant compliance. Many candidates build toward the role through senior scientist, principal investigator, or research manager positions at Massachusetts universities, hospitals, or life sciences firms.
How much do research directors make in Massachusetts?
Research directors in Massachusetts earn a median of about $267,290 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $153,490 for the lowest 10% to over $329,820 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research directors in Massachusetts?
Employers hiring research directors in Massachusetts right now include Boston University, Merck, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Massachusetts's dense concentration of academic medical centers, biotech firms, and federally funded research institutions means demand is distributed across both large anchor employers and specialized research-stage companies in the Greater Boston and Cambridge corridors.
Which Massachusetts cities have the most research director jobs?
Boston, Cambridge, and Waltham have the most research director openings in Massachusetts. Boston and Cambridge dominate because of their concentration of academic medical centers, biotech headquarters, and federally funded research institutions, while Worcester draws significant demand from UMass Memorial Health and the emerging life sciences corridor around the Worcester Biotechnology Park.
Are there remote research director jobs in Massachusetts?
Yes, though they are less common than in purely analytical fields, since many research director roles require on-site oversight of labs, clinical teams, or institutional facilities. About 68% of research director openings tied to Massachusetts are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting selective flexibility. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely include grant writing, data analysis, reporting, and strategic planning functions.
How can I get hired as a research director in Massachusetts with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a senior scientist, research manager, or principal investigator role at a Massachusetts academic medical center or life sciences company, then building toward director-level responsibility. Large Massachusetts employers such as Mass General Brigham, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Broad Institute run structured research fellowship and postdoctoral programs that provide a direct bridge to leadership tracks. A strong federal grant record, IRB experience, or a project management credential in clinical research gives candidates a measurable edge when competing for first director roles.
Where can I find and apply to research director jobs in Massachusetts?
You can find and apply to research director jobs in Massachusetts on Migrate Mate, which lists current Massachusetts openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find the roles that match your background and target institutions, and apply directly to each one.
See All 45 Research Director Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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