Research Enablement Lead

Yaqeen Institute; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization is seeking a Research Enablement Lead to enhance research operations by optimizing workflows and managing research partnerships. This role requires excellent organizational and communication skills, alongside 3+ years of experience in research operations. The ideal candidate will drive operational excellence and provide support to researchers to ensure efficient and impactful project delivery.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in research operations, program management, or academic project management.
• Experience in designing and implementing operational workflows.
• Expertise in managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Optimize end-to-end research lifecycle processes.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders in the research pipeline.
• Manage project statuses and identify potential bottlenecks.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Project management

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

3+ years in research operations or similar role

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Asana

OJS

Google Suite

Job description

Yaqeen is a nonprofit on a mission to pioneer Islamic research in creative, cutting‑edge formats tailored to meet people where they are. We work to dismantle doubts through well‑researched truths, nurture conviction by strengthening belief with practical, spiritual guidance, and inspire contribution by reviving our tradition of faithful changemakers. We’re seeking like‑minded professionals who embody Islamic values including sincerity, excellence, and compassion, and want to make a difference in the faith of people worldwide.

About the role

The Research Enablement Lead is part of the operational backbone of the Research Department, a pivotal role designed to empower our researchers to do their most impactful work. You will not be conducting primary research; instead, you will be the architect of the systems, processes, and tools that make our research possible. By optimizing our workflows and managing our knowledge infrastructure, you will ensure our research engine runs efficiently, rigorously, and effectively. In addition to supporting core research operations, the Research Enablement Lead will play a role in coordinating the administrative and executional aspects of our Research partnerships. This role is perfect for a highly organized, process‑oriented individual who is passionate about creating order and enabling others to succeed in a mission‑driven environment. This role also requires working cross‑functionally with the Partnerships, Research, Marketing, and Development teams to ensure clear communication and consistent follow‑through on shared objectives.

What you’ll do

• Process & Workflow Optimization:
• Document, oversee, and continuously suggest improvements for the end‑to‑end research lifecycle, from initial ideation and proposal to peer review, editing, and final publication.
• Establish and maintain clear operational procedures to ensure consistency, quality, and timeliness across all research projects.
• Act as the primary project manager for the research pipeline, particularly Hashiya, Content Strategy, and other products and initiatives as assigned, tracking project statuses and identifying potential bottlenecks.
• Author & Stakeholder Communications:
• Effectively communicate with the various stakeholders within the research pipeline, including organizational & departmental leadership, researchers, authors, peer reviewers, product managers, and cross‑functional team members.
• Foster strong positive relationships with stakeholders, communicating timely feedback to departmental leadership as needed and nurturing author and peer reviewer retention.
• Manage communications and tracking with academic and institutional partners.
• Own and administer the research team’s technology stack, including project management software (e.g., Asana, OJS) and collaborative writing tools, including the Google Suite.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement new tools to enhance research productivity and collaboration.
• Provide training and support to the research team to ensure the effective adoption of all tools and platforms.
• Knowledge Management:
• Collaborate with the Research Operations Manager in developing and maintaining a centralized knowledge hub and digital library for all research outputs, source materials, internal guides, and institutional knowledge, including our Intranet files.
• Implement a robust system for archiving projects and creating an easily searchable database of past work to prevent duplication and facilitate new research.
• Quality Assurance & Standards:
• Collaborate with the Editorial Leadership to uphold and standardize guidelines across all publications.
• Manage the logistics of the peer‑review process, including communicating with external reviewers and tracking feedback.
• Develop a comprehensive onboarding process for new researchers to quickly integrate them into Yaqeen’s workflows and systems.
• Serve as the key liaison between the Research department and other teams (Editorial, Creative, Marketing) to ensure smooth handoffs and clear communication.
• Partnerships Coordination:
• Interfacing with academic and community partners.
• Maintaining partnership databases and documentation.
• Tracking the status of contracts and agreements.
• Providing logistical support for partnership‑related events and initiatives.

Qualifications

• Required:
• 3+ years of experience in research operations, program management, academic project management, or a similar role.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing operational workflows and processes from the ground up.
• Mastery of project management software (Asana, OJS, etc.)
• Exceptional organizational skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse, cross‑functional teams.
• A proactive, problem‑solving mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.
• A deep appreciation for and understanding of Yaqeen Institute’s mission and values.
• Preferred:
• Experience working within a think tank, non‑profit, or academic institution.
• Familiarity with the landscape of Islamic studies or related humanities fields.
• Experience in managing digital libraries or knowledge management systems.

Yaqeen Institute embraces a philosophy that values and promotes diversity. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and advance a talented and diverse workforce within a culture where all employees are empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Please note that all career opportunities at Yaqeen Institute are subject to a three‑month probationary period, during which we assess performance, alignment with our values, and mutual fit to ensure long‑term success in the role.