Job Purpose

Rooted in Mina Zayed's legacy as Abu Dhabi's historic port and shaped by Sheikh Zayed's enduring vision for progress, MiZa is an innovation-driven neighborhood where bold ideas are shaped into transformative solutions.

The Research Manager plays a pivotal role in driving strategic insight and data-led storytelling across business growth, urban planning, and innovation initiatives. This position combines rigorous research capability and analytical depth with creative presentation capability — an ability to deliver rigorous research across varied concepts and issues and then turn those findings and complex datasets into compelling, board-level narratives and decision-support tools.

The successful candidate will support senior leadership, department heads and external stakeholders by producing robust research analyses, visual dashboards, and presentation materials that shape investment (financial and time) decisions and innovation strategies around all touch points with our neighbourhood, from programming to placemaking.

Roles, Responsibilities, Duties

Research & Insight Generation

Lead cross-disciplinary research which will include latest thinking on business support programmes, trends in target industries, the latest national programmes and initiatives, and urban planning and placemaking best practice.
Analyse global and regional trends in entrepreneurship, relevant technology, and innovation neighbourhood development in the context of Emirates, national and regional competitiveness.
Conduct benchmarking, case studies, and policy analysis to identify global best practices in innovation districts, creative economies, and growth hubs: Including how success should be measured and recorded.
Synthesize quantitative and qualitative data into concise, evidence-based recommendations, and very importantly, new thinking and ideas for how MiZa can set a new standard in these areas.

Data Visualization & Storytelling

Translate research outputs into high-impact visual formats — including dashboards, maps, and infographics — using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
Design and build automated, interactive dashboards that track key metrics related to business performance, innovation outputs, and urban development indicators.
Develop board-ready presentations and reports that communicate complex insights in an engaging, visually coherent, and actionable format.
Support the preparation of CAPEX/investment decks, government-level presentations for potential partners, and strategy briefings for senior decision-makers.

Collaboration & Project Support

Source and work closely with economists, strategists, architects, and innovation consultants to ensure research outputs are in depth enough and align with project goals.
Contribute across placemaking & urban planning, experiential decisions and programming (business growth and cultural) by integrating socio-economic data with spatial and business insights.
Liaise with data providers, government agencies, and think tanks to obtain and validate data sources.
Set organisational standards for research and analysis in best practices for data visualization and storytelling. Steer the work of fellows, residents and others on their projects for MiZa.

Qualification:

Degree-level education or other suitable qualification in a relevant topic

Experience:

Minimum of 6 years experience in applied research, strategy, or analytics within business growth, innovation, customer experience and/or urban innovation contexts.
Strong background in driving research, sourcing key information and bringing together in compelling written reports, ideally driving new thinking and outcomes – not just retelling what exists already.
Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data management, visualization, and interpretation: To include hands on skills in tools for visualising data (data modeling, DAX, visual design, PowerBI).
Experience producing dashboards, presentations, and reports for government, investment, or corporate audiences. Deep expertise with Microsoft PowerPoint (executive-level storytelling and design) is essential.
Excellent English writing and presentation skills, capable of distilling technical findings into concise executive summaries.

Desirable:

Experience working in consulting, think tanks or government in a context of innovation or economic development.
Experience in user journey, focussed on customer experience and community - building human loyalty and connection.
Knowledge of spatial & people movement analytics, urban design, or economic development frameworks (e.g., innovation ecosystems, creative industry hubs).
Familiarity with Abu Dhabi, UAE and GCC innovation and diversification agenda and all the latest initiatives.
Advanced skills in other analytical tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, or GIS software).

Competencies

Strategic and analytical thinking
Data-driven storytelling and design sensibility
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication
Intellectual curiosity and cross-sector insight synthesis
Project management and collaborative working
Attention to visual and narrative detail