Pre Award Manager KAUST - King Abdullah University of Science & Technology

Pre Award Manager

Competitive Tax-free Salary

 

Job Location: Saudi Arabia

 

Job Type: Non-Academic

 

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a major new graduate university focused on becoming a leader in science and technology research and graduate education. Located near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the university’s coastline campus on the Red Sea features high-quality residences, extensive recreational facilities and beach, a multicultural environment, and a high quality of life for employees and their families.

 

Job Summary

Manages on behalf of the Institution the proposal development and proposal budgeting processes for all sponsored research activities at KAUST. The Manager Pre Award leads pre award related interactions with all external entities including public and industrial funders, non-profit organizations, as well as academic institutions on a worldwide basis. The manager oversees and directs the pre award team in its interactions with outside institutions and agencies ensuring that very high standards of integrity are maintained to protect and enhance the reputation of KAUST. The manager is responsible for ensuring and optimizing the performance, productivity, efficiency and high ethical standards of pre award team.

 

Major Responsibilities

•  Manages and oversees all pre award activities while ensuring compliance, integrity and high ethical standards of all budgets and technical proposals sent to external sponsors;
•  Represents the Institution on all proposal development and application related matters to internal departments as well as external organizations;
•  Establishes and maintains close professional links to external sponsors based on high ethical standards.
•  Develops, implements and maintains a sound approval process for all research proposals being submitted for funding;
•  Manages and supervises all operations performed by the ORS pre award team.
•  Leads and advances the development of pre-award processes within the ORS team as well as for the Institution as a whole;
•  Establishes integrated, synergistic and cooperative workflows between the different units within the ORS.
•  Develops the university policies and establishes ethical procedures governing research funding.
•  Manages and controls the configuration and implementation of a Proposal Development System (PDT) into the SAP Grants Management (GM) system in close liaison with the Business Systems Specialist and the IT department at KAUST.
•  Develops, coordinates and supplies regular reports as required by senior management.
•  Ensure alignment of bids with KAUST strategies and research priorities.
•  Oversees the identification and dissemination of funding opportunities, proposal and budget development, application submission, and interactions with the university departments as well as external bodies.
•  Engages with Economic Development on issues related to industry sponsored research ensuring that all processes and outcomes conform to Board-approved Institutional rules and directives;
•  Ensures all pre award tasks are carried out in time following best and ethical practices.
•  Creates and execute project work plans to meet changing needs and requirements;
•  Ensures that all pre award operations are consistent across the institution and that policies, procedures and processes are developed, maintained and documented.
•  Ensures appropriate communication and information flows between ORS staff and the KAUST research community.
•  Plans and organizes training programs and workshops for faculty on all aspects of budgeting, proposal development and other critical areas of funded research activities.
•  Optimizes the use of available resources in carrying out assigned tasks and ensures timely completion according to set standards.

 

 

Organization: Research

Division: Office of Research Services

 

Technical Skills

•  Excellent understanding of academic research and of research processes;
•  Excellent knowledge of interpreting sponsors’ terms and conditions 
•  Sound understanding of potential ethics and governance issues in research;
•  Ability to use information management and/or financial IT systems preferably SAP;

 

Non-Technical Skills or Attributes

•  Leadership and interpersonal skills
•  High ethical standards
•  Organizational Understanding and Global Thinking
•  Negotiation and Influencing
•  Analytical/Problem Solving/Decision Making
•  Ability to perform work requiring accuracy and attention to detail
•  Excellent management skills.
•  Strong interpersonal, communications and presentation skills;
•  Experience in providing work direction, training, and evaluating the work of others;
•  Good organizational and time management skills. Ability to manage multiple projects that require independent planning, organizing and prioritizing daily operations and projects in order to meet deadlines;
•  English proficiency in legal, business and scientific vocabularies;
• Cross cultural sensitivity and awareness.

 

Required Education

•  A Bachelor or Master’s degree, preferably in a business-related field (science, engineering, economics or business) or a professional qualification of equivalent standing;

 

Required Experience

•  Minimum of 10- 12  years relevant experience in a business-related environment with at least 3-5 years of management experience.
•  Prior sound experience in either an active capacity as a researcher in a science or engineering discipline or in developing and/or managing research-related projects or project funding is a must;
•  Previous experience in managing research funding operations either at a university or for a funding body;
•  A strong background in a research setting would be an advantage;
•  Experience of working in an international environment is desirable.

 

 

To apply, visit the KAUST website at http://apptrkr.com/384482 .  All applications must be submitted through this site for consideration.