Senior Director, Research Strategy & Applied Science

HR Recruiting Services; Washington; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental Insurance

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement

Paid Time Off

Job summary

HR Recruiting Services in Washington, United States seeks a Senior Director to lead the Long-Range Research Initiative and Applied Science Strategies, translating complex science into strategic policy and industry insights.

The role requires strategic leadership across research, safety, and regulatory interfaces, strong collaboration with member companies, academia, and government, and the ability to communicate complex science to executives. Travel up to 20% may be required.

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral degree in science, a technical discipline, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in chemical industry or related scientific field.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis and interpretation of complex studies, especially chemical safety and policy.
• Experience with international research organizations and multinational initiatives.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance related to chemical research and safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) program, including contracts, consultants, budgets, and tracking.
• Chair the LRI Topic Committee with scientists and leaders from member companies, academia, and government.
• Identify emerging issues and establish priorities aligned with organizational goals.
• Develop strategies, objectives, methodologies, and implementation plans for research programs.
• Oversee competitive research proposals and execution within budgets and timelines.
• Evaluate scientific findings and translate insights into actionable recommendations for policy and organizational decisions.
• Build high-level scientific partnerships with international organizations, government agencies, and academia.
• Present strategies and findings to executives, policymakers, scientists, and external stakeholders.

Skills

Data analysis

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Research program management

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's or Doctoral degree

Job description

Senior Director, Research Strategy & Applied Science

Washington, United States | Posted on 09/07/2026

Our client is seeking an accomplished Senior Director, Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) & Applied Science Strategies to lead high-impact scientific research initiatives and translate complex science into actionable strategies, policy insights, and industry solutions.

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for a scientist with deep experience in the chemical industry, chemical safety, government, or a related scientific field who can operate at the intersection of research, policy, industry, and regulatory decision-making.

The ideal candidate is a strategic scientific leader who can identify emerging issues, build research agendas, manage complex programs, engage senior scientists and executives, and communicate scientific findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

What You'll Lead Drive the Long-Range Research Initiative

Lead all aspects of the LRI program, including contracts, consultants, budgets, resource allocation, expenditures, and program tracking.

Lead the LRI Topic Committee, facilitating discussions among scientists and science leaders from member companies, academia, and government.

Identify emerging scientific issues and establish research priorities aligned with organizational goals.

Develop research strategies, objectives, methodologies, and implementation plans.

Oversee competitive research proposal and bid processes.

Manage the development and execution of approved research initiatives within established budgets and timelines.

Turn Science Into Strategic Impact

Evaluate complex scientific research, data, and emerging findings relevant to chemical safety and policy.

Translate scientific insights into actionable recommendations that support informed organizational and policy decisions.

Apply research findings to improve scientific approaches, methodologies, and policies.

Leverage LRI research results to support member companies and science policy advocacy.

Identify opportunities where emerging research can influence regulatory decision-making and advance scientific understanding.

Build High-Level Scientific Partnerships

Establish and maintain relationships with senior scientists, international research organizations, government agencies, academia, and multinational scientific groups.

Collaborate with subject matter experts and scientific leaders across disciplines.

Represent the organization in scientific discussions and initiatives domestically and internationally.

Present research strategies, findings, and recommendations to senior executives, board members, scientists, policymakers, and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's or Doctoral degree in science, a technical discipline, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in the chemical industry, a related scientific industry, government, or a comparable environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis and interpretation of complex scientific studies, particularly studies relevant to chemical safety and policy.
• Experience working with international research organizations and/or multinational scientific initiatives.
• Knowledge of key scientific and chemical assessment programs, organizations, and venues.
• Ability to independently identify research priorities and develop strategic research programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex research programs, budgets, contracts, and external scientific resources.
• Strong ability to communicate complex scientific information to executives, policymakers, scientists, and other non-technical audiences
• Travel up to 20% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements related to chemical research and safety.
• Experience with risk assessment methodologies and applying risk science to policy development.
• Advanced education or coursework in toxicology, environmental science, public health, or a related discipline.
• Experience translating scientific research into policy recommendations or regulatory strategies.
• Strong science communication and executive presentation experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional or multinational scientific initiatives.

• Dental Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement
• Paid Time Off

HR Recruiting Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.