How To Become A Senior Research Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a senior research manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Heather Tanner Ph.D.,

Daniel Patten Ph.D.

Senior research managers provide overall program management and technical guidance for large multi-faceted projects or for multiple projects at the same time. They assist or lead research activities associated with the conduct of clinical trials, and they are responsible for exercising independent judgment and discretion on significant matters related to clinical trial research. Senior research managers earn an average salary of $90,000 annually or $43 per hour.

Senior research managers are executive professionals who select appropriate methodologies and techniques to provide insights into underlying business issues. They work with clients to define complex business objectives and oversee the design of research questionnaires and moderator guides. They also review the analyses and reports of others, ensuring accuracy and logical consistency.

Senior research managers typically hold a bachelor's degree in business, mathematics, or other related fields from an accredited university. They are expected to have some years of experience in their area of expertise, with a keen eye for detail and strong organizational and time management skills to boot.

What general advice would you give to a senior research manager?

Heather Tanner Ph.D.

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

Most entry-level jobs have lots of boring elements, which is frustrating when you can't wait to jump in and tackle exciting challenges. However, it would help if you showed your immediate supervisor and the company/institution that you are a good team member, capable, and willing to take on tasks (challenging and boring). Routinely ask your supervisor for new jobs or projects to expand your skillset and knowledge of the company/institution. It would help if you also manage your expectations about how quickly you'll be promoted; it can be frustratingly slow. Finally, it's essential to recognize that you need to manage your reputation - this is a workplace where you need to be perceived as a responsible and competent professional. Therefore, only share information about your personal life and leisure time as if talking to your grandparents.

ScoreSenior Research ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $104,701

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.13%

Asian 14.36%

Black or African American 4.76%

Hispanic or Latino 11.32%

Unknown 4.89%

White 64.53%

Gender

female 49.12%

male 50.88%

Age - 34

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a senior research manager

Explore senior research manager education requirements

Most common senior research manager degrees

Bachelor's

64.8 %

Master's

26.4 %

Doctorate

6.7 %

Start to develop specific senior research manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	11.38%
Data Collection	5.75%
PowerPoint	5.42%
Research Studies	5.23%
FDA	4.44%

Complete relevant senior research manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior research managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior research manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior research manager resumes.

Research senior research manager duties and responsibilities

Lead a team of researchers in data visualization, gamification, and medication adherence.
Lead a team of three, including one direct report, for distributing daily Nielsen ratings results.
Achieve high quality deliverables evident by sponsor company feedback, FDA deliverables and balance budgets, scope and timely delivery.
Manage all top and regional accounts, ensuring all multi-asset classes of research are included and building relationships for the future.

Get senior research manager experience

Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a senior research manager. The most common roles before becoming a senior research manager include research manager, research analyst team lead and research associate.

Prepare your senior research manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior research manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior research manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable senior research manager resume templates

Build a professional senior research manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior research manager resume.