Manager Research Administration

INSEAD Research and Innovation Department is at the forefront of advancing academic excellence and thought leadership. Dedicated to fostering ground-breaking research, the department supports faculty, researchers, and students in generating impactful insights that address complex global challenges.

With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, the department provides state-of-the-art resources, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships to drive innovation across diverse fields of study. Through its initiatives, INSEAD aims to contribute to academic rigor, inform policy, and shape the future of business and society.

About the job

Reporting to the Associate Director, Research Administration, your role is central to the department's financial and compliance integrity. You will be responsible for managing the multi-million Euro French Research Tax Credit process, including the submission of all required forms and coordination of related audits. In collaboration with the Associate Director, you will define the strategy to maximise the declared tax credit amount while strictly ensuring all financial, legal, and administrative regulations are fully respected.

In addition to this core compliance work, you will oversee the management and reporting of all research projects. This includes supervising the Senior Coordinator to ensure the consistency, accuracy, and integrity of all related data and reports (such as Donor Reports, FEC, and Tax Credit documentation). Finally, you will engage with top-level stakeholders within the context of the Alliance to promote research, enhance the global curriculum, and foster collaboration between partner institutions.

Your role within the team

• Manage the full CIR (French Tax Credit) process by identifying eligible research projects, liaising with faculty to collect drafts and timesheets, and preparing accurate submissions (~€4.4M annually) in coordination with the external tax lawyer and the Associate Director Research Administration. Define, together with the Associate Director, the strategy to optimise the declared amount while ensuring full compliance with financial, legal, and administrative regulations.
• Manage and support French Tax Administration audits by providing evidence, clarifying research activities, and coordinating responses with the Associate Director Research Administration, the tax lawyer, and the CFO to secure successful outcomes. Anticipate potential audit risks, ensure that documentation and justifications are audit-ready, and implement preventive measures to strengthen compliance and transparency.
• Oversee the management and reporting of all research projects, starting with the submission of proposals to the RDC (Research & Development Committee) and the Wharton Alliance, followed by the monitoring of project updates, deliverables, and reporting. Ensure timely updates and compliance with institutional and donor requirements. Provide functional guidance and oversight to the Senior Coordinator to ensure the consistency, accuracy, and integrity of all research project data and reports (Donors Report, FEC (Faculty Evaluation Committee), Tax Credit).
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of research project management processes, fostering alignment across Research Administration, Finance, Advancement, and Faculty. Identify opportunities for greater efficiency and transparency in reporting, and implement best practices to enhance data quality and timeliness.
• In the context of the Wharton Alliance, act as key liaison between INSEAD and Wharton, engaging with senior stakeholders from both schools (Deans, Programme Directors, Faculty). Drive collaborative projects, monitor progress, and ensure initiatives deliver measurable outcomes in research, teaching, and global engagement.
  
  Develop and manage the Wharton Alliance annual budget (~€300K), ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support strategic priorities. Monitor financial performance, analyse variances, and provide recommendations to ensure optimal use of funds and alignment with institutional objectives.
• Provide functional guidance and mentorship to the Senior Coordinator, ensuring clarity of objectives, alignment with departmental priorities, and consistent application of administrative procedures. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the Research Administration team.
• Contribute to the Research Administration's strategic planning by identifying trends, risks, and opportunities. Collaborate with the Associate Director to provide data-driven insights supporting decision-making, budget forecasting, and the continuous enhancement of research operations, reporting frameworks, and cross-functional coordination.

The ideal candidate profile

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field. Fluency in English is required. Additional certifications in project management, compliance, or data analytics are considered an asset.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in research administration, finance, or a related field, including work at the executive or strategic level. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and budgets, engage with senior stakeholders, and navigate cross-functional environments. 
• Experience providing functional supervision and guidance, ensuring compliance with financial and legal regulations, and supporting audit processes. 
• Strong organisational, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to prioritize effectively and exercise sound judgment.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented; excellent time management and prioritisation skills; strong written and verbal communication abilities; adept at engaging with international and executive-level stakeholders; collaborative team player with a proactive mindset; capable of providing functional leadership and guidance across teams; strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills; adaptable and resilient in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
• Budget management and financial oversight; advanced business analytics and data reporting; strong proficiency in digital tools and IT systems (especially Microsoft Excel and web-based platforms); project management and process optimization; regulatory compliance and audit preparedness; strategic planning and cross-functional coordination; problem solving and critical thinking.

Kindly submit your application along with a CV in English.