Senior Planning Manager

Roles and responsibilities

• Oversee the SRO, managing pre-award, post-awards, and contracts for externally funded and contracted research agreements for all HBKU entities, including the colleges & research institutes.
• Ensure research contracts and agreements are executed in compliance with HBKU, QF, and the Sponsors’ policies and procedures.
• Oversee the financial and reporting audit process for completed projects in accordance with the executed research agreements in coordination with HBKU Finance
• Monitor and analyze the progress of externally funded research activities in terms of budget, scope and timeline using project scorecard and ensure proper reporting management/entities to satisfy both internal and external requirements.
• Manage personnel matters, including workforce planning, recruitment, hiring, professional development, KPIs, disciplinary actions, and incentive programs in coordination with HBKU HR
• Set long and short-term strategies and objectives for the SRO; develop operational policies and procedures; identify & pursue funding opportunities in Qatar and abroad; and manage program growth to increase the share of external funding.
• Manage the financial and technical analyses of project proposals.
• Participate in the negotiation and conclusion of sponsored research agreements.
• Oversee audit recommendations as required by HBKU and sponsored research collaborators/sponsors
• Lead the development and implementation of SRO business plan.
• Report to Senior planning and research director periodically on SRO business plan performance.
• Collaborate with HBKU entities and departments regarding SRO-related activities.
• Support Senior Research and Planning Director to implement sponsored research initiatives and attract external research funding.
• Oversee SRO events and workshops within HBKU and externally that focus on training and promoting collaborations.
• Lead the development and implementation of HBKU-sponsored research policies and procedures in coordination with the VPR Office.
• Support SRO activities focused on promoting HBKU-sponsored research achievement.
• Participate in HBKU annual performance assessment and reporting.
• Manage SRO staff and provide career advice and support.
• Other reasonable tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Desired candidate profile

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or research-related field.
• 8-10 years of full-time research management and administrative work experience, 3 of which at a supervisory level.
• Outstanding experience managing grants and sponsors relations.
• Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports and legal documents, interpret data, and manage resources.
• Outstanding knowledge of a variety of research management concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Excellent organizational development, communication, administration, management, and leadership skills.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to draft and edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas clearly and concisely; Arabic proficiency is an advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.