Research Manager – Innovation & Urban Development

About the role

MiZa is seeking a Research Manager to lead strategic insight generation for its innovation‑driven neighbourhood. The role blends rigorous research, data analysis and visual storytelling to support senior leadership, department heads and external partners in shaping investment and innovation strategies.

Key responsibilities

• Lead cross‑disciplinary research on business support programmes, industry trends, national initiatives and best practices in urban planning and placemaking.
• Analyse global and regional entrepreneurship, technology and innovation district developments, producing evidence‑based recommendations.
• Conduct benchmarking, case studies and policy analysis to identify global best practices and metrics for success.
• Translate research findings into high‑impact visual formats such as dashboards, maps and infographics using Power BI, Tableau and PowerPoint.
• Design and maintain automated, interactive dashboards that monitor business performance, innovation outputs and urban development indicators.
• Prepare board‑level presentations, CAPEX decks and government‑level briefings for senior decision‑makers.
• Collaborate with economists, architects, strategists and innovation consultants to ensure depth and alignment of research outputs.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in economics, urban planning, social sciences or a related field.
• Proven experience in strategic research, data analysis and insight generation for innovation or urban development projects.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting complex findings to senior audiences.

Required skills

• Power BI
• Tableau
• Microsoft PowerPoint

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape a flagship innovation district in the UAE.
• Collaborative environment with multidisciplinary experts.
• Access to cutting‑edge data and research tools.