Business Process Research Manager

APQC is seeking a Research Manager who can translate research direction into structured execution plans, coordinate cross-functional activities, support data collection and analysis, and develop clear, compelling outputs that bring APQC insights to life. This role is ideal for a research execution professional who thrives at the intersection of project coordination, analytical thinking, content development, and operational excellence.

APQC is a member-based nonprofit organization and globally recognized authority in benchmarking, best practices, process improvement, and knowledge management. Serving more than 1,000 member organizations across 55+ industries worldwide—including Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and consulting firms—APQC helps organizations improve performance through trusted research, benchmarking data, process frameworks, and practical insights across business functions such as supply chain, finance, human resources, process and performance management, and knowledge management.

Organizations turn to APQC for objective, research-based insights that cut through hype and reveal what is truly working in business today.

The Research Manager plays a critical role in executing and integrating research activities across the full research lifecycle. Working under the guidance of Research Leads and subject matter experts, this role transforms research direction into coordinated timelines, project activities, foundational analyses, documentation, visual assets, and practical content deliverables. Success in this role requires intellectual curiosity, strong organizational skills, analytical reasoning, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while collaborating effectively across research, analytics, editorial, design, and operational teams to ensure high-quality outcomes.

• Translate defined research direction into structured execution plans, including work breakdowns, timelines, milestones, dependencies, and coordinated activities.
• Support data collection and fieldwork execution, including survey programming support, sampling execution, response monitoring, interview or roundtable coordination, and fieldwork documentation.
• Conduct foundational analysis and generate structured research outputs such as tables, summaries, charts, and data-based observations that support insight development.
• Collaborate with Research Leads, Survey and Analytics, statisticians, editorial, design, and other contributors to interpret findings, identify patterns, and support the development of clear, credible insights.
• Develop visuals and support content creation by creating charts, visual elements, formatted outputs, and presentation-ready materials that communicate findings clearly and accurately.
• Maintain quality, documentation, version control, and process adherence across assigned research activities so outputs are consistent, credible, reusable, and aligned with APQC standards.
• Use project management, collaboration, analytics, and emerging technology tools responsibly to improve research execution, efficiency, and quality while maintaining transparency and human review.

Successful performance in this role will be evaluated against the following KPIs:

• Research execution milestones are completed on time and in alignment with approved scope, timelines, dependencies, and quality standards.
• Data collection, preparation, validation, and documentation activities are completed accurately and with sufficient traceability for reuse and review.
• Foundational analyses, tables, summaries, charts, and visual/content outputs are clear, accurate, decision-useful, and delivered according to APQC output expectations.
• Project documentation, status reporting, version control, and process adherence meet Research Services standards.
• Research outputs contribute to audience growth, member engagement, and content performance targets as defined by APQC standard measures.

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in business, management, research discipline, analytics, social science,…