A research manager oversees research activities, collects data, generates reports and makes recommendations. They may need a university degree and set up field studies, surveys, and other methods for gathering information. They may also be involved in the early stages of product development and manage employees. Organizational and communication skills are useful in this field.
A research manager oversees research activities related to the development of products and services for an employer. This may involve collecting data, generating reports and making recommendations based on the information collected. Job requirements may depend on the employer and the nature of the job, but may include a university degree and sometimes an advanced qualification such as a Master of Business Administration. Employment opportunities may appear in specialized magazines and in the company’s internal job listings.
A part of this work involves research development and implementation. This may involve setting up field studies, surveys and other methods for gathering information. Research managers may need to consider legal requirements and client needs. In clinical trials, for example, the company must follow strict rules for administering the study and reporting the results to a regulatory agency. In some cases, a lead researcher oversees smaller teams that handle individual aspects of the research.
As information comes in, the research manager enters and collates it into reports. This can include internal company updates that provide information on the progress of a study, as well as formal reports intended for public viewing. Survey managers can test products and services in different markets, explore different designs and taglines, and participate in other data collection to see who responds to products and how. This may require expertise in areas such as psychology to understand and interpret survey results.
Within a company, a research manager may be involved in the early stages of product development to make recommendations based on existing research. If customers repeatedly request a particular product or feature, for example, it might receive a high priority. As products go through development and testing, a research manager can provide feedback. This helps the company develop the most effective and appropriate product, right down to the packaging color, to increase the chances of a successful launch.
Several employees may work under the direction of the research manager. It is also possible to hire contractors and consultants for specific projects. Typically, organizational and communication skills are useful for careers in this field. People with an established reputation and skill set may be able to advance within a company or seek better positions at other companies based on their strong resumes. Top-level employees can access a variety of benefits as they advance through the company or pit competing offerings against each other.
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