Director for Research Strategy and Public Engagement - Research Administration (Fixed-Term for 3 years)

Job Number

2025-14420

Position Summary

UAE nationals are encouraged to apply 

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint a Director for Research Strategy and Public Engagement reporting to the Senior Vice Provost of Research; Managing Director, Research Institute; and Professor of Biology. 

NYUAD seeks a collaborative individual with strong interpersonal skills and motivation to join the Research Administration team. The Director for Research Strategy and Public Engagement plays a leading role and will be responsible for driving the strategic direction of research initiatives, developing the NYUAD Office of Research and Research Institute's reputation for excellence in scholarship. This individual will closely work with the Managing Director and Senior Leadership team of NYUAD Research Institute to ensure that an ambitious and innovative strategy is effectively developed, implemented and then embedded across the organisation. She/He will lead the management of strategic reviews, planning processes, organizational reporting and impact analysis and will have strategic oversight and management of research programs including cultivating relationships with the larger scholarly community at NYU to enhance participation in the research program. She/He will share responsibility with the Research Institute in the day-to-day operation of the division and will prepare key metrics on regular and ad hoc basis to key stakeholders of NYU, NYUAD, and Govt. Partners. This individual will work closely with NYUAD senior leadership, stakeholders, and external partners to develop and execute strategic plans that align with research priorities, and ensure that research development efforts are impactful, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of our community. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Leads the strategic planning for assigned areas and assists the SVP of Research/Managing Director in developing and implementing the overall departmental strategic plan and measures to evaluate success of assigned area of responsibility. Develop and oversee the effective use of data dashboards that drive organisational effectiveness and insights
• Lead the strategic communications between Research Institute PIs, Research Centers and Govt Partners with a goal of enhancing the competitiveness and potential for securing large-scale funding while ensuring the requirements of Govt Partners are met.  Lead on organisational level reporting; providing research, data and customer insight to support strategic and operational decision making. Develop a communications strategy for Research Institute services to stimulate more engagement by researchers and positional leaders
• Develop and implement campus wide strategies to facilitate interactions between research Institute Centers, Divisions and Global network centers. Convene advisory and focus groups to identify opportunities and for the enhancements collaboration. Develop business plan(s) for transitioning the institution to a refined model of research administration support, collaboratively implement the business plan(s) with attention to change management, project management, effective cross-campus communications, risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement
• Assists the SVP of Research / Managing Director, Research Institute on implementing strategic endeavors and priorities of the Research Institute. Develop a comprehensive institutional strategy for delivering research administration support, with particular emphasis on unit-based resources across all campus units.  Define the vision, services, and key performance indicators and the people, processes, and structures necessary to deliver efficient and effective research administration to support to researchers/scholars
• Responsible for gathering and reviewing Annual Progress Reports for all research centers and providing quarterly, semi-annual, and annual progress reports for management, RRC and Govt. Partners as need be, and monitoring and reporting key performance indicators. Ensures healthy and collaborative administrative relationships with funding partners and the PIs
• Closely work with the Research Institute Internal and External Advisory Board Members, External Review Panels and RRC by overseeing the process for centers reviews, Request for Proposals (RFP) and develop reports and recommendations based on the feedback from external and internal reviews
• Act as a liaison between NYU NY Faculty, WSQ and NYUAD Research Institute Principal investigators to ensure seamless collaboration and coordination on research projects especially funded by NYUAD Research Institute
• Responsible for ensuring the Research policies, procedures, Award Terms and Conditions, departmental precedents or other documents necessary for appropriate responses to current events or issues. Continuously assesses and improves the efficiency of systems and processes

Required Education: 

• Master's Degree in a related area (e.g., public policy or public administration, management, higher education administration)
• Advanced leadership/management training or qualification

Preferred Education: 

• Doctoral Degree on CRA or other research administration-related qualification

Required Experience: 

• 15+ years of related/applicable work experience in research/govt/higher education sector
• Experience of working effectively at a senior level administration including partnership with the government entities, building, and maintaining excellent relationships, promoting ideas and influencing decision-makers at all levels
• Have a proven track record of successfully designing and delivering large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects
• Proven experience of effective strategic thinking, detailed planning and the ability to deliver to clear long-term objectives
• Proven experience in successfully designing and implementing cross-organisational monitoring and reporting solutions
• Technically proficient in applied research, evaluation and impact measurement
• Interdisciplinary thinker with expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methods, and the demonstrated ability to design and implement real life evaluations

Preferred Experience: 

• Ability to professionally engage at all levels of the University and ensure effective outcomes
• Strong interpersonal, organization, communication and presenting skills
• Strong project management skills and close attention to detail is essential.
• Ability to work with Faculty and Staff at all levels
• Must be committed to financial integrity and confidentiality
• An ability to prioritize and to handle multiple projects on tight deadlines, organized work habits, consistent accuracy, and attentiveness to detail
• Strong interpersonal, organization, communication and presenting skills
• Strong project management skills and close attention to detail is essential
• Ability to work with senior level management, Faculty and Staff at all levels