Research Manager Jobs in North Carolina
Research Manager jobs in North Carolina are in steady demand, concentrated in pharmaceutical and biotech research, academic and clinical research, and technology-driven policy analysis, with openings at every level from entry-level research associate to senior director. The largest hiring metros are the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill), Charlotte, and Greensboro, where institutions and companies such as RTI International, Duke University, and GlaxoSmithKline have long maintained research operations. The most in-demand specialties are clinical research management, health policy research, and consumer insights research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Description
As the Manager, Site Operations, you will be responsible for comprehensive operational and relationship management of clinical trial activities associated with our healthcare partnerships. With a guiding principle of research participant safety, you will promote the mission, vision, and values of Javara and ensure the strategic integrity of the relationship between our teams and the healthcare organization. You will demonstrate leadership capabilities and consistently demonstrate high-quality and results-oriented performance. You will be on-site daily and report to the regional Director, Site Operations and lead clinical teams across multiple locations with multiple therapeutic areas of research with multi-specialty, inpatient and outpatient trials.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Promote a culture that ensures patient safety above all and improves the patient experience in everything we do.
- Drive accountability for patient enrollment, ensuring Clinical Trial Navigators own the enrollment plan to meet recruitment goals for their specific studies.
- Ensure the highest standard of integrity, quality, and operational excellence in clinical research activities, with adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), protocols, OSHA, Integrated Research Agreements (IRAs), and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Positively impact engagement, retention, and the employee experience by demonstrating the core behaviors for people managers in three key pillars: Engage & Inspire, Drive Success, and Empower & Develop.
- Recruit, train, manage, and coach Site Operations team members and ensure they meet expectations in accordance with role expectations and company goals.
- Maintain a staffing plan for resourcing and utilization of site operations team members for multiple locations or larger sites to achieve performance objectives, identify opportunities or gaps, and implement plans accordingly.
- Oversee the standardized utilization of systems, data entry, and clinical trial operations best practices.
- Cultivate, maintain, and develop strong long-term relationships with investigators and practice staff and provide insight on the best clinical trials for their patient population.
- Maximize research participant identification, enrollment, retention, and ongoing engagement by developing programs and processes, including training and accessing EMR to assess viability of enrolling in trials.
- May manage multiple sites or satellite site locations.
- Provide high quality client support to build credibility and trust while meeting the needs and strategic objectives of healthcare partners, sponsors, CROs, patients, vendors, and colleagues.
- Manage study and site performance including developing and adhering to an operating budget for clinical trial operations within the healthcare organization as well as budgets associated with clinical trials.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications:
- 2+ years’ experience managing a clinical research site and team or equivalent relevant management experience.
- 5+ years’ of clinical trial research experience including hands-on application of clinical functions such as obtaining vitals, EKG’s, and phlebotomy.
- Associates or Bachelors Degree or equivalent educational experience. Degree in Life Sciences or related field highly beneficial.
- Experience applying leadership approaches such as situational leadership, servant leadership, and transformational leadership for people management.
- Experience using business acumen to develop strategies to achieve and exceed expected results.
- Project Management
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- This job operates in a professional environment.
- The noise level in this work environment is usually light to moderate.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
- The employee will regularly use hands to reach, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls and talk and hear.
- The employee may frequently stand, walk and sit.
- The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Travel: This position may involve up to 20% travel with most travel within their region, as well as applicable visits to Javara headquarters in Winston Salem, NC.
Pre-Employment Screening: Drug screen and background check required.
Pay: From $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Fayetteville, NC 28304 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
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Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Manager Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
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What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research manager jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant research field such as public health, social sciences, or life sciences
- At least five years of progressive research experience with demonstrated project leadership
- Proven ability to design, manage, and complete quantitative or qualitative research studies
- Experience managing research budgets, timelines, and cross-functional teams simultaneously
- Familiarity with IRB protocols, research compliance standards, and data governance practices
- Strong written communication skills for preparing reports, grant proposals, and stakeholder presentations
Research Manager Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research manager in North Carolina?
Most research managers in North Carolina enter the role after completing a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, then progressing through research analyst or coordinator roles before moving into management. North Carolina does not require a state-issued license specifically for research managers, but those working in clinical research commonly hold certifications such as the ACRP Certified Clinical Research Professional credential, which is recognized by major North Carolina employers in the pharmaceutical and academic sectors.
How much do research managers make in North Carolina?
Research managers in North Carolina earn a median of about $173,870 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $101,810 for the lowest 10% to over $305,970 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research managers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring research managers in North Carolina right now include Javara, Lenovo, and Novanta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's concentration of pharmaceutical companies, public health nonprofits, and major research universities creates consistent year-round demand for research management professionals across the state.
Which North Carolina cities have the most research manager jobs?
Apex, Durham, and Garland have the most research manager openings in North Carolina. The Research Triangle anchors the largest share of positions because of its dense cluster of universities, biotech firms, and health policy organizations, while Charlotte's growing financial services and healthcare sectors drive demand there, and Greensboro's research institutions and logistics-focused corporations account for additional openings.
Are there remote research manager jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than many fields, since much research management work involves data analysis, reporting, and stakeholder coordination that translates well to remote settings. About 43% of research manager openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the role's strong desk-based and analytical nature. Project phases requiring in-person lab oversight or on-site team management are the least likely to be offered remotely.
How can I get hired as a research manager in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research coordinator or research analyst role at one of North Carolina's major academic medical centers or public health organizations, such as those affiliated with UNC Health, Duke Health, or RTI International, which regularly onboard newer professionals and offer structured mentorship. Building toward a CCRP or similar certification while working in a coordinator capacity is the credential that most consistently opens the door to management consideration at North Carolina employers.
Where can I find and apply to research manager jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to research manager jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.
See All 10 Research Manager Jobs in North Carolina
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