How to become a research and development manager
Official title: Research and development managers
Also called: Product development manager, Research manager
Research and development managers plan, direct and coordinate the research and development activities of an enterprise or organization or of enterprises that provide related services to other enterprises and organizations.
Main tasks
- Planning, directing and coordinating research and development activities, in-house or commissioned from external research organizations, to develop new or improved technical processes, products, knowledge, or utilization of materials
- Planning the overall research and development programme of an enterprise or organization, specifying goals and budgetary requirements
- Leading and managing the activities of research and development staff
- Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources
- Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures
- Planning and directing daily operations
- Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff
- Representing the enterprise or organization at conventions, seminars and conferences
Ways in
- University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 33 universities in Hong Kong
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: HK$50,000 a month
- About 1,542,900 people in 2025, and about 1,639,100 projected by 2028. (+6.2%)
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a research and development manager?
Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees.
Do you need a degree to become a research and development manager?
Usually. 66% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a research and development manager?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
- Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
- Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026