What does a research manager do?
A Research Manager performs research, data collection, and economic, statistical, and demographic analysis. They also determine and implement research and development strategies, policies, and plans.
Research manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research manager resumes:
- Manage IRB submissions and complete all IRB requirements in conjunction with the HICCC s regulatory department.
- Lead social path-to-purchase study, incorporating social media analytics into insight community to identify spectrum of social engagement among customers.
- Conduct QA for time and testing of products.
- Implement document data extraction through online web-base research and sources.
- Direct analytical and logistician research teams to produce in-depth studies and analyses on logistics, maintenance and transportation issues.
- Coordinate communications with the IRB, NIH and other institutional entities that fund, support, collaborate and regulate research.
- Produce daily and weekly updates highlighting Nielsen metered-market program performances.
- Deliver research/helped others deliver it for international custom healthcare research firm.
- Provide valuation and price testing for various structure products securities including agency-non agency MBS/RMBS/CMBS securities.
- Oversee major and minor upgrades to units, including operational oversight of engineering and environmental services.
- Perform statistical interpretation of data using SPSS to identify key drivers of customer satisfaction and business success.
- Conduct all aspects of the research process including methodology, questionnaire development, data tabulations/analysis through SPSS and final report presentation.
- Provide litigation support and price exotic interest and credit derivatives
- Develop group's derivatives and quantitative equity modeling and infrastructure.
- Perform QC screening of in-process material and final product.
Research manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Research Managers are proficient in Market Research, Analytics, and Quantitative Research. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Market Research, 8%
Collaborated with New Products Marketing to evaluate new product candidates via primary market research and analysis of secondary data sources.
- Analytics, 6%
Led social path-to-purchase study, incorporating social media analytics into insight community to identify spectrum of social engagement among customers.
- Quantitative Research, 6%
Restructured research manager role to include not only qualitative but quantitative research as well as escalating functions, including issue resolution.
- Data Analysis, 5%
Conducted data analysis and reviews of scientific literature to construct quarterly business reports and narratives for business proposals.
- Patients, 5%
Developed and updated screening material successfully managed 6-8 studies with approximately 50-100 patients
- Data Collection, 4%
Supervised survey data collection for approximately 100 research staff at a social science research firm specializing in federally funded projects.
Most research managers use their skills in "market research," "analytics," and "quantitative research" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential research manager responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a research manager to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Research managers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "responded to queries related to analytical methods and specifications from fda and global regulatory agencies. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling research manager duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." According to a research manager resume, here's how research managers can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "work together with development and membership staff to ensure data entry of all donor and prospect details. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for research managers to perform their duties. For an example of how research manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a research manager: "served as the primary communication link for operations teams during pre-field, data collection, and data delivery stages. ".
The three companies that hire the most research managers are:
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Compare different research managers
Research manager vs. Marketing specialist
A marketing specialist's primary responsibility revolves around conducting thorough market research and analysis to acquire extensive knowledge and understanding of a brand and how it will work in the consumer market. They must determine and come up with strategies and utilize this to develop various programs or campaigns that would be vital in bringing more awareness to the brand, thus boosting sales and improving client base. Furthermore, a marketing specialist must also use their expertise to figure out new opportunities and trends that will work for the company.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between research managers and marketing specialist. For instance, research manager responsibilities require skills such as "analytics," "quantitative research," "data analysis," and "patients." Whereas a marketing specialist is skilled in "digital marketing," "marketing campaigns," "email marketing," and "customer service." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Marketing specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $64,666. On the other hand, research managers are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $93,534.The education levels that marketing specialists earn slightly differ from research managers. In particular, marketing specialists are 11.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a research manager. Additionally, they're 4.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research manager vs. Marketing consultant
A marketing consultant is responsible for utilizing their extensive retail expertise to develop strategies on how to strengthen client base and achieve better sales. Furthermore, a marketing consultant must perform research and analysis to determine opportunities for financial gains, devise plans to improve client satisfaction, assess the competition, look out for any risks, and develop its brand and image. They should also ensure that all steps taken adhere to the policies and regulations of the organization.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real research manager resumes. While research manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "analytics," "quantitative research," "data analysis," and "patients," marketing consultants use skills like "customer service," "web content," "digital marketing," and "marketing campaigns."
On average, marketing consultants earn a lower salary than research managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, marketing consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $93,209. Whereas research managers have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,534.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Marketing consultants tend to reach lower levels of education than research managers. In fact, they're 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research managers in the next 3-5 years?
Katherine Wiley Ph.D.
Associate Professor,, Pacific Lutheran University
Research manager vs. Marketing assistant
A marketing assistant's general responsibility is to support the marketing programs and campaigns by sharing recommendations and useful insights to improve the brand's image. Marketing assistants' duties also include reaching out to other personnel for necessary files needed on promotional advertisements, assist the team in creating designs and developing content, publishing brochures for potential clients, analyzing sales reports, and researching the current market trends. A marketing assistant should have excellent organizational and time-management skills to meet deadlines and perform various tasks as required.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research managers are more likely to have skills like "analytics," "quantitative research," "data analysis," and "patients." But a marketing assistant is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "marketing campaigns," "trade shows," and "email campaigns."
Marketing assistants earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $43,819. Comparatively, research managers have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,534.Most marketing assistants achieve a lower degree level compared to research managers. For example, they're 15.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research manager vs. Marketing associate
A marketing associate's responsibility is to perform comprehensive market research to identify the latest trends that would provide opportunities to improve the business' marketing strategies. A marketing associate's duties also include creating sales reports and advertising materials, coordinating with the sales team for promotional events, assists with the planning and execution of marketing strategies, evaluating customer satisfaction, and handling administrative tasks as needed. Marketing associates must also have excellent communication skills to help in managing client inquiries and resolve complaints immediately.
Types of research manager
Updated January 8, 2025
