Skills & Competencies for Research and Development Manager

Research and Development Manager job profile

JOB SUMMARY for Research and Development Manager

Manages and directs the research and development programs to meet organizational needs and to capitalize on potential new products.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Research and Development Manager

Develops and implements research and development procedures and techniques. Oversees complex research projects, analyzes results and provides recommendations based on findings. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures they are on time and within budget.

Research and Development Manager SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$153,212
TOTAL 50%
$169,619
Job Level
M02
Job Code
RD14000014
Education/Degree
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent
Reports To
Head of a Unit/Department

Research and Development Manager Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Research and Development Manager skill and competencie below to view definitions.

8 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Research and Development Manager

1 Industry Competency – Engineering Management
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Applying management skills and engineering principles in overseeing technical projects and personnel.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Identifies the different fields or specialized areas of engineering management.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Records the available resources to present critical information to the engineering management.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Uses engineering management platforms to monitor engineering operations and deliverable programs.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leverages data science techniques to make evidence-based decisions for engineering projects.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops engineering management platforms for sound and effective decision-making.
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2 Industry Competency – Cost Estimation
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Forecasting costs and resources to complete a project within a defined scope.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains resource requirements for project and cost estimation activities.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies the characteristics of credible cost estimates, including data availability and recognition of inflation.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Provides insights on the pros and cons of various cost estimation approaches.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Provides accurate estimations of benefit savings, project costs, and technical feasibility.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes overall impact cost models to provide real-time cost estimations.
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3 Research and Development Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Research and Development Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Research and Development Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

1 general skill or competency (Job family competency) for Research and Development Manager

1 Job Family Competencies – Programming
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains how to interpret source code from a specific programming language.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies coding errors and parts of computer programs that are not functioning correctly.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Performs program tests to spot and resolve bugs and inconsistencies.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors the testing of program codes periodically to ensure it produces the desirable results.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes a standard programming framework to help the team design an executable computer program.
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3 Research and Development Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Research and Development Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Research and Development Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

14 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Research and Development Manager

1 Core Competencies – Business Acumen
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Insight into our organization's business, goals, and values. Ability to design and implement initiatives that facilitate successful outcomes.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains our key business strategies and priorities.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Reports and communicates market and competitor status regularly to the management team.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Evaluates supply chain efficiency with an eye toward improving shortcomings.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leverages the latest technologies and tools that enhance business analytics.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs and implements feedback loops to identify and promptly address business problems.
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2 Core Competencies – Budgeting
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Applying specific policies, tools and practices to plan and prepare projected revenues, expenses, cash flows, and capital expenditures.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the different purposes and uses of our organization's budgets.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Produces budget reports showing planned vs. actual variances highlighted and explained.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Reviews and helps approve major budget adjustments to negotiate and reconcile line variances.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors budgeting processes to ensure adherence to our organization's financial practices and standards.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Introduces technologies, policies, and programs for more effective budget management.
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3 Research and Development Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Research and Development Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Research and Development Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Research and Development Manager skills and competencies

There are 8 hard skills for Research and Development Manager, Engineering Management, Cost Estimation, Engineering Change Management, etc.
1 general skills for Research and Development Manager, Programming.
14 soft skills for Research and Development Manager, Business Acumen, Budgeting, Planning and Organizing, etc.
While the list totals 23 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Research and Development Manager, he or she needs to be proficient in Business Acumen, be proficient in Budgeting, and be skilled in Planning and Organizing.

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