Application Open:
Full-Time
Job Purpose:
MBZUAI is seeking a highly skilled and proactive Project Manager to support impactful, forward-thinking projects at the intersection of emerging technologies, innovation policy, and strategic planning. The ideal candidate will possess a strong analytical background, deep technical expertise, and a proven ability to distill complex information into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers. The Project Manager will ensure a successful delivery of projects involving external stakeholders, faculty and technical teams. The role focuses on coordinating research and innovation initiatives led by Principal Investigators and supported by industry collaborators. The Project Manager ensures that project milestones, deliverables, and stakeholder inputs are effectively managed, enabling structured progress tracking and successful project execution. Knowledge of artificial intelligence technologies and research environments is highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities:
Project Planning & Coordination
- Coordinate the planning and execution of research and innovation projects involving internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Work closely with Principal Investigators to ensure project objectives, scope, and milestones are clearly defined.
- Develop and maintain project plans outlining deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities.
Milestone & Deliverable Management
- Track project milestones and deliverables to ensure progress aligns with agreed timelines.
- Identify potential risks, delays, or dependencies and escalate issues when required.
- Maintain structured oversight of project execution to support successful delivery outcomes.
Stakeholder Coordination
- Facilitate collaboration between Principal Investigators, research teams, industry stakeholders, and other participating entities.
- Ensure effective communication and alignment among all project contributors.
- Coordinate stakeholder meetings, technical reviews, and project update sessions.
Progress Monitoring & Reporting
- Prepare structured progress reports, presentations, and updates for leadership and stakeholders.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation including milestone tracking, meeting records, and project updates.
- Support the preparation of analytical summaries that inform decision-making and project governance.
Operational Support
- Ensure projects comply with institutional policies, governance frameworks, and operational procedures.
- Coordinate with internal departments such as finance, legal, and operations to support project execution.
- Monitor and report on regional and global technology trends, contributing to internal knowledge and foresight efforts.
- Support leadership in preparing executive-level engagements, workshops, and publications related to innovation and emerging tech.
- Maintain a structured repository of research, data sources, and visual assets for reuse and scalability.
Other Duties
- Carry out all other duties as reasonably directed by the manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.
Academic Qualification:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related discipline.
- A postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.
Professional Experience:
Essential
- Minimum 7–10 years of experience managing complex projects in technology, research, innovation, or policy environments.
- Proven experience coordinating projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear insights.
- Experience managing project timelines, deliverables, and structured reporting processes.
Preferred
- Experience working within AI, advanced technology, or research-driven environments.
- Project management certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent.
- Familiarity with research project environments involving faculty and industry collaboration.
- Strategic Thinker
- Impactful Decision-maker
- Effective Collaborator Results orientation
- Talent Nurturer
- Results Driver
- Customer Advocate
- Transformation Enabler
- Innovation explorer
