Research and Evaluation Manager

Career Guide

A Research and Evaluation Manager designs and runs studies that measure how well programs, products, or services are working. They turn questions into practical research plans, oversee data collection and analysis, and communicate findings that guide decisions and improve outcomes.

Browse All Roles

Key Responsibilities

Define evaluation goals and success measures
Design research plans and evaluation frameworks
Select research methods and sampling approaches
Oversee survey design and interview guides
Manage data collection timelines and quality checks
Analyze quantitative results and qualitative themes
Build clear reporting and insight summaries for leaders
Present recommendations to improve programs and policies
Coordinate with program teams to support learning and improvement
Manage vendors and external research partners
Ensure ethics, consent, and privacy practices are followed
Track budgets, resourcing, and project milestones
Coach researchers and analysts on best practices

Top Skills for Success

Stakeholder Management

Project Management

Written Communication

Presentation Skills

Problem Solving

Research Design

Evaluation Design

Survey Design

Interviewing

Focus Group Facilitation

Quantitative Analysis

Qualitative Analysis

Data Visualization

Measurement Design

Indicator Development

Reporting

Ethics and Consent

Data Privacy

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Research and Evaluation Manager

Director of Research

Director of Monitoring and Evaluation

Impact Director

Program Director

Insights Director

Research Operations Manager

Transition Opportunities

Product Research Manager

User Research Manager

Data Analytics Manager

Policy Analyst

Strategy Manager

Grant Compliance Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Advanced statistical methodsCausal inferencePower analysisData quality managementMixed methods integrationData storytellingChange managementVendor managementResearch governance

Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio with two to three completed evaluations, strengthen analysis skills with structured practice projects, and improve influence by translating findings into clear actions, owners, and timelines.

Market Intelligence Report

Research and Evaluation Manager is part of the Social Science Research category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

See the market intelligence report

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 75,000 to 95,000

Mid LevelUSD 95,000 to 130,000

Senior LevelUSD 130,000 to 175,000

Growth Trend

Steady growth. Demand is strongest in healthcare, education, government, nonprofits, and mission driven companies that need evidence of impact and accountable reporting.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Government agenciesPublic health systemsSchool districts and universitiesNonprofit organizationsInternational development organizationsFoundationsHealthcare payers and providersConsulting firmsResearch institutesTechnology companies with social impact programs

Industry Sectors

GovernmentHealthcareEducationNonprofitInternational DevelopmentResearch ServicesConsultingTechnology

Recommended Next Steps

Create a one page evaluation plan template you can reuse across projects

Publish two writing samples, including an executive summary and a slide deck

Build a metrics glossary for a current program to standardize measurement

Lead one mixed methods study from planning through recommendations

Strengthen analysis skills with a focused course in statistics and experimental design

Set up a simple research intake process with clear prioritization rules

Network with evaluation teams in healthcare, education, and public sector organizations