Research Manager Jobs in Virginia

Research Manager jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense and national security contracting, biomedical and life sciences, public policy, and higher education, with openings at every level from early-career research coordinators to senior research directors. The heaviest hiring is in the Northern Virginia corridor, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area, where major employers such as Leidos, Inova Health System, and George Mason University maintain a lasting presence. The most sought-after specializations include quantitative research methods, program evaluation, and clinical or health services research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Research Manager Jobs

Overview

Open roles19
Top employerCapital One
Top cityMcLean, VA
Cities hiring11
Work type50% Hybrid
Top credentialBachelor's degree

Showing 5 of 19+ Research Manager jobs

Senior Manager, Market Research & Intelligence - Global Enterprise Affairs
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Senior Manager, Market Research & Intelligence - Global Enterprise Affairs
Capital One
McLean, Virginia
Customer Success
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Senior Evaluation Manager for Sponsored Research
We won't show you this job again
Added 4d ago
Senior Evaluation Manager for Sponsored Research
Youth Villages
Chesterfield, Virginia
Community & Nonprofit Services
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Remote (US)
Doctoral degree
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Senior Research Manager for Sponsored Research
We won't show you this job again
Added 4d ago
Senior Research Manager for Sponsored Research
Youth Villages
Chesterfield, Virginia
Business Development
Customer Success
Partnerships & Business Development
Project Management
Doctoral degree
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Manager, Research Computing Services
We won't show you this job again
Added 5d ago
Manager, Research Computing Services
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
Consulting & Professional Services
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Master's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Research Manager - Phase 1 Program
We won't show you this job again
Added 1w ago
Research Manager - Phase 1 Program
Inova Health System
Falls Church, Virginia
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 19 Research Manager Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Research Manager Jobs

Research Manager Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

McLean
6 jobs
Arlington
3 jobs
Chesterfield
2 jobs
Vienna
1 job
Fairfax
1 job
Norfolk
1 job
Blacksburg
1 job
Portsmouth
1 job
Falls Church
1 job

Research Manager Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Capital One2 open roles
Youth Villages2 open roles
Information Technology Senior Management Forum2 open roles

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research manager jobs across Virginia.

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant research field required by most Virginia employers
  • Demonstrated experience designing and managing research projects from inception to completion
  • Proficiency in statistical analysis software such as SAS, SPSS, R, or Python
  • Experience supervising research staff, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, or managing junior analysts
  • Familiarity with federal research compliance, IRB protocols, or government contract requirements
  • Strong written communication skills for producing research reports, grant applications, or policy briefs

Research Manager Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research manager in Virginia?

Research manager roles in Virginia do not require a state-issued license, but most employers expect a master's degree or higher in a relevant discipline such as public policy, health sciences, social science, or a STEM field. Virginia's large base of federal contractors and research universities means hiring managers also value demonstrated project leadership, familiarity with federal research compliance standards, and experience working within structured research environments typical of government-funded programs.

How much do research managers make in Virginia?

Research managers in Virginia earn a median of about $150,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $84,080 for the lowest 10% to over $212,620 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire research managers in Virginia?

Employers hiring research managers in Virginia right now include Capital One, Youth Villages, and Information Technology Senior Management Forum, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors in the Northern Virginia area means a significant portion of these openings are tied to government-funded research programs and long-term contract work.

Which Virginia cities have the most research manager jobs?

McLean, Arlington, and Chesterfield have the most research manager openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia cities like Arlington and McLean lead because of the concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors headquartered there, while Richmond draws openings from Virginia Commonwealth University's health and policy research programs, and Hampton Roads benefits from military research institutions and naval facilities driving sustained demand.

Are there remote research manager jobs in Virginia?

Yes, and more than many comparable management roles, since research managers often work primarily with data, reports, and distributed teams rather than on-site lab or field settings. About 75% of research manager openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broader flexibility in the field. Roles focused on data analysis, literature synthesis, and program evaluation tend to be the most remote-eligible, while positions requiring direct supervision of laboratory or field research are more likely to require an in-person presence.

How can I get hired as a research manager in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is securing a research coordinator or research analyst position first, then building toward management. Virginia employers such as Inova Health System, MITRE, and Virginia Commonwealth University regularly hire research associates and program analysts who can grow into managerial roles. Graduate assistantships at Virginia's research universities provide structured experience, and earning a project management credential or completing IRB training gives candidates a concrete advantage when applying to supervisory-track openings.

Where can I find and apply to research manager jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to research manager jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated in real time. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and target industry, and apply directly to each position that fits.

See All 19 Research Manager Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Research Manager Jobs