Manager, Office of Research Strategy

Job Description

• Support the planning for MAKER/MAKER-X workshops with tentative plans for up to 2 workshops per month. This includes following up on coordinating from SOCIs (such as Provost Office (PVO), Office of Industry Engagement (OIE), International Office (IO), ORGA, Uni-level ICLs, and schools) on possible research engagement workshop themes, devising realistic timelines for the execution of the workshops and designing presentation template to facilitate discussions during the workshops.
• Execute the logistics planning for these MAKER/MAKER-X workshops. This will include liaising with external and internal stakeholders to schedule the workshops, liaising with the external and internal stakeholders on their attendance for the workshops, collating the materials from external research partners and SMU faculty for the workshops, booking the venue for the workshops and breakout sessions, and procuring the services of external vendors to provide refreshments for the workshops.
• Execute the workshops according to the approved agenda, which include performing any secretariat duties that may be required and generating appropriate summaries and action points from the workshops.
• Ensure that there is appropriate post-workshop follow-up to translate the ideas/concepts emerging from the workshops to downstream activities and recommend improvements in the execution of workshops, both in terms of processes and overall engagements. This will include soliciting feedback from workshop attendees, liaising with multiple SMU faculty and various external parties to track and monitor the progress of any follow-up actions from each workshop, planning, setting up, executing any small session discussions as part of the follow-up actions from the workshops, liaising with ORGA (where applicable) for joint grant calls or research contracting matters and identifying required support and facilitation for effectiveness of the workshops.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in either General Business Administration, Education or a Technology field.
• At least five years of relevant experience.
• Experience in research strategy, government and industry partnerships and academic ecosystems will be highly advantageous.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and ability to influence and communicate effectively with external stakeholders, faculty and senior management.
• Pro-active, independent and resourceful with strong decision-making skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Meticulous, attention to detail, and exercise care in delivering quality work.
• Resourceful and responsible.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proficient in the use of online meeting platforms for virtual meeting such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

• Support the planning for MAKER/MAKER-X workshops with tentative plans for up to 2 workshops per month. This includes following up on coordinating from SOCIs (such as Provost Office (PVO), Office of Industry Engagement (OIE), International Office (IO), ORGA, Uni-level ICLs, and schools) on possible research engagement workshop themes, devising realistic timelines for the execution of the workshops and designing presentation template to facilitate discussions during the workshops.
• Execute the logistics planning for these MAKER/MAKER-X workshops. This will include liaising with external and internal stakeholders to schedule the workshops, liaising with the external and internal stakeholders on their attendance for the workshops, collating the materials from external research partners and SMU faculty for the workshops, booking the venue for the workshops and breakout sessions, and procuring the services of external vendors to provide refreshments for the workshops.
• Execute the workshops according to the approved agenda, which include performing any secretariat duties that may be required and generating appropriate summaries and action points from the workshops.
• Ensure that there is appropriate post-workshop follow-up to translate the ideas/concepts emerging from the workshops to downstream activities and recommend improvements in the execution of workshops, both in terms of processes and overall engagements. This will include soliciting feedback from workshop attendees, liaising with multiple SMU faculty and various external parties to track and monitor the progress of any follow-up actions from each workshop, planning, setting up, executing any small session discussions as part of the follow-up actions from the workshops, liaising with ORGA (where applicable) for joint grant calls or research contracting matters and identifying required support and facilitation for effectiveness of the workshops.
• Any other duties as assigned.