Senior IT Project Manager

Cognita Schools; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognita Schools is seeking a Senior IT Project Manager in Dubai to lead complex technology projects across a global network of schools. You will drive initiatives from business case through deployment, ensuring minimal disruption to teaching and operations while aligning with Cognita standards.

You will manage cross-functional teams and external suppliers, establish governance, budgets, risks and milestones, and deliver projects that achieve tangible outcomes across multiple sites and time zones.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex technology projects or programmes end-to-end.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and external suppliers.
• Strong governance, budgeting, risk and change control experience.
• PM certification such as PRINCE2, PMP or AgilePM.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end technology projects from initiation to deployment.
• Establish governance, plans, budgets, milestones and KPIs.
• Manage risks, issues, dependencies with mitigation plans.
• Coordinate across Centres of Excellence, schools and partners.
• Ensure adopted solutions meet operational needs and provide lessons learned.

Skills

Delivery leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Governance & budgets

Risk management

PM certification

Job description

Senior IT Project Manager

Dubai | Technology Centre of Excellence | Reports to the Head of IT Project Management

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 90 schools in 20 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, \"Thrive in a rapidly evolving world\".

About the Role:

Cognita runs on technology, and we need someone who can get the big technology projects delivered. As the Senior IT Project Manager, you’ll lead complex projects and programmes across our global group of schools, from the business case through to handover into day-to-day operations. Your aim is to land every project without disrupting teaching, learning or the running of the business.

What you'll be doing:

• Delivering end to end: You’ll lead complex technology projects from initiation and business case through to deployment and transition to BAU. That spans applications, software development, infrastructure and more, from requirements and design through to testing and operational readiness.


• Keeping control: You’ll set up project governance, plans, budgets, milestones and change control. You’ll own project KPIs and reporting, and keep every project aligned to the Cognita strategic framework and technology standards.


• Staying ahead of risk: You’ll actively manage risks, issues and dependencies, and put practical recovery plans in place with clear owners. When something material comes up, you’ll escape it quickly with evidence-based options for sponsors and governance forums.


• Bringing people together: You’ll build strong relationships across Centres of Excellence, Cogs, schools and third-party partners, and coordinate cross-functional teams and suppliers around shared priorities. You’ll do this without direct reports.


• Focusing on outcomes: You’ll make sure what you deliver gets adopted and works in practice, and you’ll capture lessons learned to keep improving how we deliver.

Who We Are Looking For:

You’re a calm, credible delivery leader who can keep a complex project on track with people you don’t manage. You’re comfortable in front of senior stakeholders, and you balance the technical, the commercial and the operational with sound judgement.

You’ll have:

• Experience delivering complex technology projects or programmes through the full lifecycle in a multi-site or international organisation


• Experience leading cross-functional teams and third-party suppliers to deliver agreed scope, time, cost, quality and outcomes


• Experience managing project governance, budgets, risks, dependencies, change control and operational transition


• Strong planning and risk-management skills, with clear communication and the influencing skills to engage senior leaders and facilitate decisions


• A recognised project management qualification, such as PRINCE2, PMP or AgilePM

For the full Role Profile, Click Here.

Working arrangements

You’ll be based in our Dubai office, typically four days a week. You’ll work flexibly across time zones and travel occasionally to Cognita offices and schools to support delivery.

Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.