Senior Executive (Research Programme)

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP); Perak; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is seeking a Senior Executive, Research Programme to support the Innovation & Ventures division in coordinating consultancy and strategic projects. You will assist in tracking timelines, deliverables, and KPIs, and facilitate documentation, governance, and communications with stakeholders.

The role focuses on project delivery, budget monitoring, and ensuring adherence to SOPs with strong cross-functional collaboration and proficiency in PM tools and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Finance, or related field.
• 2–4 years of experience in project coordination, preferably within consultancy, innovation, or public-private sectors.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and familiar with PM tools.
• Knowledge of Power BI or similar data visualization tools is an added advantage.

Responsibilities

• Assist in tracking project progress, timelines, deliverables and KPIs.
• Support documentation and processing of project extensions and variation orders (VOs).
• Coordinate updates and maintain detailed project documentation in SOP compliance.
• Provide administrative and operational support to ensure timely project execution.
• Record management and reporting: prepare status updates for stakeholders.
• Monitor contract terms, budgeting and revenue collection processes.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

MS Office proficiency

Power BI knowledge

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Management/Finance

Tools

Microsoft Project

Trello

Asana

Monday.com

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The Senior Executive, Research Programme supports the effective coordination and monitoring of consultancy and strategic projects within the Innovation & Ventures division. The role is responsible for assisting in project tracking, documentation, financial processes, stakeholder communication, and ensuring adherence to internal SOPs and governance requirements. This position acts as a vital support role to the Program Delivery Manager to ensure smooth execution across all project phases.

Key Responsibility:

Programme and Project Coordination & Monitoring

Assist in tracking project progress, timelines, deliverables, and KPIs.

Support the documentation and processing of project extensions and variation orders (VOs).

Coordinate updates and maintain detailed project documentation in compliance with SOPs.

Provide administrative and operational support to ensure timely project execution.

Programme and Project Delivery Management & Monitoring

Execute and administer project management and monitoring mechanism to all active consultancy projects throughout the project life cycle.

Ensure that all terms within the contract is being fulfilled which includes project schedule, budgeting and delivery.

Collect, compile project milestone completion evidence and execute requisition for billing upon completion of project milestone for submission to Finance and monitor payment transaction by the client.

Help track income collection status and coordinate with Finance to follow up on outstanding payments.

Monitor project expenditure to ensure alignment with approved budgets and report any variances.

Governance & SOP Compliance

Ensure documentation and processes adhere to internal SOPs and governance frameworks.

Support the implementation and periodic updates of SOPs under the guidance of the Program Delivery Manager.

Advocate compliance to external consultants and provide clarification on relevant rules and procedures.

Record Management and Reporting

Prepare, compile, maintain and update all project records on department share drive and database for reporting purpose (KRI, KPI Cost Recovery, Professional Fees, income, Business Reporting, etc)

Act as a point of contact for consultants and internal teams to support smooth project communication.

Assist in preparing presentations, status reports, and updates for internal and external stakeholders.

Reporting & Analysis. Contribute data and insights to improve internal reporting and analytics processes.

Qualification & Experience:

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Finance, or related field.

2–4 years of experience in project coordination, preferably within consultancy, innovation, or public-private sectors.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Familiarity with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Trello, Asana, or Monday.com.

Basic understanding of budgeting, billing, and expenditure tracking.

Good written and verbal communication skills.

Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).

Knowledge of Power BI or similar data visualization tools is an added advantage.

Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.

Your application will include the following questions:

• How many years' experience do you have as a Research Executive?
• Which of the following types of qualifications do you have?
• Do you have Project Coordination experience?
• Do you have Project Delivery experience?
• Are you willing to relocate for this role?