Senior IT Project Manager Capital Projects And Transactions

Location: Dubai, UAE | Centre of Excellence: Technology | Reports to: 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 21 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:

We are looking for a Senior IT Project Manager to make sure technology is ready when Cognita opens a new school, expands a campus or changes ownership of a site. You will coordinate technology delivery across our capital projects (new builds, expansions and refurbishments) and corporate transactions (acquisitions, divestments and separations), working with Development & Property, Corporate Development, our Technology Centres of Excellence, schools and delivery partners.

This is a coordination and delivery role, not a hands-on technical one. You will agree requirements, plans and milestones, keep a wide range of stakeholders aligned, and help schools, staff and operations carry on smoothly through every opening, handover and transition.

What you will be doing:

Delivering technology for capital projects

• Coordinating technology delivery for greenfield and brownfield school builds, expansions and refurbishments, from initial scoping through installation, testing and handover.

• Working with Development & Property, designers, construction partners and school stakeholders to identify technology requirements, costs, dependencies and milestones early.

• Coordinating applications, infrastructure, network and wireless, connectivity, security and end-user technology, and agreeing scope and responsibility boundaries with contractors.

• Planning the implementation of core business systems (admissions and CRM, website, parent portal, payments, student information, finance and HR) so each school can operate commercially ahead of opening.

• Providing cost estimates, benchmarks and value-engineering input, covering both capital and ongoing run costs.

Supporting acquisitions, divestments and separations

• Providing technology input to acquisition due diligence, identifying key risks, costs, dependencies and integration requirements.

• Coordinating post-acquisition integration of systems, data, identity, connectivity and security, and planning technology separation for divestments.

• Planning day-one and exit-day readiness so schools, staff and operations can continue with minimal disruption.

Readiness, handover and governance

• Translating school and operational needs into clear requirements and acceptance criteria, and coordinating design reviews, procurement, installation, configuration and testing.

• Working with IT Service Management and the Technology CoEs to move new, expanded or acquired sites into operational support, including hypercare and service desk onboarding.

• Maintaining governance, project plans, budgets, KPIs, change control and reporting in line with Cognita’s delivery framework.

• Managing suppliers and specialist consultants, including tender evaluation, statements of work and contract terms with the Development & Property CoE.

• Keeping stakeholders aligned on decisions, dependencies and delivery dates, and capturing lessons learned so our approach improves with every project.

Who We Are Looking For:

• Strong project leadership, planning, governance, commercial control and risk-management skills across complex technology environments.

• The ability to coordinate delivery across infrastructure, connectivity, applications and related services without needing to be a hands-on technical specialist.

• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills across IT, property, construction and business teams.

• The ability to manage multiple interdependent workstreams, suppliers, budgets and milestones within a wider programme.

• A recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP or AgilePM, plus a relevant professional qualification in project management, technology or a related discipline.

• Experience delivering technology workstreams within capital projects such as school builds, expansions or refurbishments, or greenfield, brownfield or campus expansion programmes.

• Experience supporting technology due diligence, integration or separation for acquisitions and divestments, including working with Corporate Development teams.

• Experience managing multiple technology disciplines and third-party delivery partners in multi-site or operationally complex environments.

• Ability to undertake frequent international travel and meet the entry requirements of the locations the role supports.

To view the full role profile, please Click Here.

Working arrangements

• Based in Dubai, with typically four days a week in the office.

• Frequent international travel to Cognita offices, schools and development locations, including the US, UK, Europe and Asia.

• Flexibility to work across multiple time zones, reflecting our international operating environment.

How to Apply:

Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is: Sunday 1st November

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.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.