Director of Research and Development
Quick Facts
Median Salary$231,027
Most Common EducationPh.D. or professional degree
Projected 10-Year Growth+15.11%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Director of Research and Development is responsible for overseeing their organization's research and development department(s). Responsible for ensuring that the organization meet their objectives for researching and developing new products or technologies and improve existing products.
Core Tasks:
- Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
- Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
- Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
- Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
- Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
- Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
- Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.
- Prepare project proposals.
- Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.
- Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.
- Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.
- Conduct own research in field of expertise.
- Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation.
- Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.
What to expect as a Director of Research and Development
1Earn a Ph.D. or professional degree
51% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Director of Research and Development related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
372 openings for Directors of Research and Development
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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