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Research and Development (R&D) Director

Research and development directors lead teams that create new products and technologies. They set the strategy, manage budgets, and make sure the company stays ahead of competitors by innovating.

Research and Development (R&D) Director

30

Business and Management

AI IMPACT
AI EXPOSURE TODAY30
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST
72%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£40,000 - £50,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.

THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.

AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.

This job holds up well against AI
AI exposure today is modest on our index (30), and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior R&D ManagerIn this entry-level role, you will assist in project management and support senior researchers in developing new products and technologies.£40,000 - £50,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level R&D ManagerAs a mid-level manager, you will lead specific projects, coordinate teams, and ensure that R&D activities align with business objectives.£70,000 - £90,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior R&D DirectorIn this peak role, you will oversee the entire R&D department, set strategic direction, and drive innovation across the organisation.£120,000+

The degree route

Courses in this career's subject area, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.

🎓Finance and AccountingDancebox Theatre Works · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£49,000 median
🎓Business Management With Information SystemsWest Herts College · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£32,000 median
🎓International Tourism Management (with Foundation Year)University of Bedfordshire · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£31,000 median
🎓Business ManagementTeesside University · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,000 median
🎓Modern Languages (German and Italian) and ManagementUniversity of St Andrews · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,000 median
🎓Business Management (Accelerated)Anglia Ruskin University · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£29,000 median

All Business and Management courses as cards →

There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Degree subjects that lead this way

Courses in this career's subject area, from the same register that priced the degree above. Subject-matched, not a guaranteed qualifying route: check each course's own entry requirements and any professional accreditation before you rely on it.