Senior Research Analyst

1. JOB DETAILS:

Position Title:

Senior Research Analyst

Reports to:

Research Manager

Function:

Research (Strategy Hub)

Department:

Property Management

2. POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Research Analyst is responsible for supporting the delivery of high-quality research and market intelligence across Dubai’s real estate sector. Reporting to the Research Manager, the role balances traditional property market analysis with broader research into emerging trends and best practices that influence real estate, including marketing, customer experience, sustainability, PropTech, and digital transformation.

The Analyst will collect, organize, and interpret data, prepare structured reports, and contribute insights that inform strategic decision-making. This role provides exposure to both real estate fundamentals and cross-disciplinary innovation topics, ensuring Wasl maintains a forward-looking competitive edge.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS:

Number of Staff Supervised

Direct Reports:

N/A

Total Reports:

N/A

4. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Position-Specific Accountabilities

Market Research & Competitive Intelligence

• Assist in producing periodic reports on Dubai’s real estate market and broader macroeconomic trends.
• Collect and analyze data on property pricing, supply/demand dynamics, yields, and sentiment.
• Monitor competitor activities, including sales approaches, marketing campaigns, and digital/operational innovations.
• Track government policy and regulatory changes, summarizing potential implications.

Cross-Domain Strategic Research

• Conduct research across a broad spectrum of themes shaping the property sector, such as customer experience, sustainability, PropTech, ESG, global marketing practices, and smart city developments.
• Benchmark global best practices and assess their relevance to Dubai’s real estate market.
• Support the Research Manager in preparing research reports, thematic briefs, and executive presentations.
• Translate cross-industry insights into concise, actionable inputs for internal stakeholders.

Data Analysis & Visualization

• Collaborate with Data & Analytics to extract and interpret datasets.
• Prepare dashboards, charts, and visualizations in Excel or Power BI to support decision-making.
• Ensure accuracy and clarity in reporting outputs.
• Insight & storytelling (converting analysis into clear narratives), with executive level takeaways.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Respond to ad-hoc research requests from business units (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Strategy).
• Coordinate with internal teams to align research outputs with business needs.
• Support the Research Manager in engaging with external vendors, consultants, and industry sources.

Generic Accountabilities

Strategy Planning, Development and/or Contribution

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Wasl’s vision, mission, and short- and long-term strategy to facilitate alignment with the organization’s mandate.
  
  
• Lead the development and execution of the departmental strategy, ensuring alignment with Wasl’s vision, mission, and corporate objectives to drive transformative outcomes and sustained organizational success.
  
  
• Direct the translation of the strategy into annual business and operational plans, and define functional targets to ensure alignment with the strategic agenda and priorities of Wasl.

Leadership

• Oversee performance and provide continuous feedback to foster high performance and attainment of organizational goals.
  
  
• Manage the effective attainment of departmental objectives through effective leadership to ensure efficient execution of plans, aligning with annual organizational targets, policies, and procedures.

Budgeting and Financial Performance

• Facilitate the consolidation of the department’s annual budget to ensure alignment with the annual business plans and achievement of the organization’s objectives.
  
  
• Monitor and review the department’s financial performance regularly against targets, identifying any anticipated cost deviations and additional budget requirements.
  
  
• Address areas of unsatisfactory performance and capitalize on potential improvement opportunities to ensure adherence to the annual financial plan and objectives.

Policies, Systems, Processes and Procedures

• Support the development and implementation of departmental policies, systems, processes, and controls, ensuring that activities are conducted in line with relevant procedural and regulatory requirements to maintain optimum business operations.

Reporting

• Ensure the preparation of timeous and accurate departmental reports, meeting organizational requirements in adherence to Wasl’s policies and quality standards.

Working as a Team

• Work constructively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team that values diversity, while ensuring the achievement of Wasl’s goals and objectives.
  
  
• Demonstrate well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to effectively consult, collaborate, and liaise with team members on both technical and non-technical issues for the purpose of achieving team objectives and maintaining a positive team environment.

Digital Transformation

• Translate conceptual thinking into tangible business deliverables by offering technical and operational subject matter expertise.
• Play an active role in shaping the future of data and analytics within our organization and making a measurable difference in how Wasl harnesses the power of data for better decision-making.

Innovation, Problem Solving, and Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the improvement of day-to-day operations, systems, and processes associated with Wasl, fostering enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.
  
  
• Support the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of Wasl’s systems, processes, and practices considering international best practices, improvement of business processes and cost optimization.
  
  

• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement by focusing on enhancing and streamlining current tools and processes, while also driving the implementation of novel operational methodologies

5. COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal

• Research Team
• Data & Analytics
• Performance & Insights
• IT
• Business Transformation
• Other departments as required

External

• IT Vendors
• Research Vendors
• Service Providers
• Government and Regulatory Entities
• Other external organizations as required

6. SELECTION CRITERIA:

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience (Essential and Desirable):

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, from a recognized and accredited University. Master’s degree is preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in real estate market research, competitive intelligence, or consulting, with a focus on Dubai and the UAE.
• Strong expertise in competitor benchmarking, market trend forecasting, and data-driven research methodologies.
• Proven ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and industry-specific research tools.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience using data visualization tools, such as Power BI.
• Experience with advanced market research methodologies, such as conjoint analysis, predictive analytics, or customer segmentation, and leveraging them for actionable insights.
• Exposure to international real estate markets and benchmarking best practices.
• Familiarity with broader cross-industry research areas (e.g., marketing, CX, sustainability, digital transformation) preferred.

Position-Specific Skills (Generic/Technical):

• Strong research and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with Power BI or Tableau desirable.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Strong communication skills, including written reports and visual storytelling.
• Curiosity and adaptability to explore both real estate and cross-industry innovation trends.
  
  

7.  APPROVALS:

Line Manager:

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Human Resources:

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Position Holder:

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