Project Planning Manager

NADIA Recruitment & Management Consultants; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment and management consultancy in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Program Manager to develop and oversee strategic programs that align with organizational goals in education and culture. The ideal candidate will have experience in program management and education, strong communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders. Responsibilities include managing budgets, coordinating planning cycles, and ensuring program delivery aligns with the organization's vision. A background in literature is preferred.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of professional experience in program management or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to produce reports and presentations.
• Experience working with educational or cultural organizations is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans for programs.
• Lead and coordinate program planning cycles.
• Manage program budgets and ensure cost-effectiveness.

Skills

Strategic planning

Program design

Budget management

Stakeholder coordination

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Literature, Education, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for developing, coordinating, and overseeing strategic programs that support the organization’s mission in education, culture, and community engagement. The role ensures programs are well-planned, efficiently executed, and aligned with organizational objectives while maintaining strong partnerships and delivering measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overall strategic plan for programs in alignment with the organization’s vision and objectives.
• Identify program goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and success metrics.
• Lead and coordinate annual and quarterly planning cycles, ensuring clear resource allocation, timelines, and deliverables.
• Liaise with internal teams, external partners, vendors, and facilitators to ensure smooth program delivery.
• Manage schedules, logistics, and operational workflows to ensure efficiency and consistency.
• Build and maintain partnerships with educational institutions, community groups, and cultural organizations.
• Collaborate closely with the Operations Manager and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration between planning and execution.
• Prepare, monitor, and manage program budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and compliance with financial guidelines.
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to maintain program continuity and quality.
• Address operational challenges proactively and escape critical issues when required.
• Produce regular reports and presentations for leadership, summarizing achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement.
• Ensure thorough documentation of all processes, outcomes, and learnings for institutional knowledge and future planning.
• Support the development of new initiatives that promote lifelong learning, creativity, and cultural engagement.
• Prepare high-quality reports, dashboards, and presentations for internal leadership, external stakeholders, and public communication.
• Ensure all written and visual materials are accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational messaging and branding standards.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, measure program impact, and guide strategic improvements.
• Demonstrate humility, strong communication skills, and effective leadership.
• Exhibit high endurance, flexibility, and the ability to adapt to changing work situations.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• A background in literature is preferred.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Literature, Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, Cultural Studies, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• A background in literature is strongly preferred.
• 5–8 years of professional experience in program management, project coordination, education, culture, or community development.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program design, and multi-stakeholder coordination.
• Experience working with educational institutions, cultural organizations, or community-based programs is an advantage.
• Proven experience managing budgets, schedules, logistics, and reporting.