Manager, Research Systems

Role Overview

Manager, Research Systems at Khalifa University. The role supports the Research and Development Division with strategic data management, systems oversight, and operational coordination across sponsored research activities.

Role Purpose

Manage research systems and serve as the data management liaison for the R&D Division, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of university sponsored projects data. Develop strategy and policy, coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, and lead a team to support excellence in research administration.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Policy

• Contribute to the development of the Department's strategy and annual KPI plans.
• Contribute to the development of the Department's policies and procedures in line with the overall research objectives of the University, ensuring they promote leading practices and excellence.
• Contribute to the development of the Department's budgets in relation to prospective funding program requirements.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures regarding sponsored project data integrity and records retention in close collaboration with Directors of all R&D units and IT/Ankabut.

Data Management & Systems Operations

• Analyze, prepare and organize data across the R&D division, including external and internal sponsored projects' activities (proposals, awards, ethics applications, research protocol approvals, faculty and researcher effort, research resources).
• Manage research systems and serve as the data management liaison for the R&D Division.
• Ensure the integrity, accuracy, organization, and completeness of university sponsored projects data records in research systems in close coordination with other R&D units.
• Work with systems vendors to implement change orders and integrations as needed.
• Facilitate institutional data feeds to and from systems that have touch points with research systems.
• Manage institutional logins for sponsor portals in coordination with Research Development, Research Operations, and other units and authorized signatories as needed.

Stakeholder Coordination & Governance

• Represent the Research division on various technology committees, including participation in data enablement projects led by external entities.
• Facilitate necessary information for internal and external audit of research activities as needed.
• Collaborate with all R&D units, Libraries, General Counsel, and other Khalifa University units as needed for developing, delivering and maintaining informational and training modules related to system use.
• Coordinate with other departments to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and responsibilities as and when needed.

Compliance & Safety

• Adhere to the University's information security and confidentiality policies and procedures, and report breaches or other security risks accordingly.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment and practice to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.

Team Leadership

• Provide coaching, guidance and mentoring as required to enhance the internal capabilities of the team and ensure the achievement of established objectives and plans.
• Recommend appropriate training courses as per pre-determined training needs, evaluate their effectiveness, and monitor their results.
• Carry out performance appraisals for subordinates according to planned schedules and recommend necessary actions as per applied practices.
• Conduct periodic meetings with subordinates to ensure that priorities are clear and workflow is running smoothly.
• Follow up on employees' administrative affairs such as vacations, leaves and other administrative and related matters.

General

• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Line Manager.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 12 years of experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field, preferably in Statistics, Finance or Management subjects.
• Experience working in a research-awarding environment such as a research funding agency, foundation or university internal funding function.
• At least 3 years of experience with software in one or more domains: creation, enhancement, maintenance, data organization and interpretation.

Skills & Competencies

• Data analysis and organization.
• Research systems management.
• Software implementation and vendor coordination.
• Policy and procedure development.
• Audit support and compliance.
• Team coaching and performance management.
• Stakeholder collaboration and coordination.
• Information security awareness.