Senior IT Project Manager
Role Overview
Senior IT Project Manager in Cognita’s Technology Centre of Excellence, reporting to the Head of IT Project Management.
Leads complex technology projects and programmes across a global group of schools, from business case through handover to day-to-day operations.
Projects should be delivered without disrupting teaching, learning or business operations.
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Role overview
Senior IT Project Manager in Cognita’s Technology Centre of Excellence, reporting to the Head of IT Project Management.
Leads complex technology projects and programmes across a global group of schools, from business case through handover to day-to-day operations.
Projects should be delivered without disrupting teaching, learning or business operations.
Responsibilities
- Lead full-lifecycle projects spanning applications, software development, infrastructure, requirements, design, testing, deployment and operational readiness.
- Set governance, plans, budgets, milestones, change control, KPIs and reporting, aligned with Cognita’s strategic framework and technology standards.
- Manage risks, issues and dependencies; develop recovery plans and escalate material issues with evidence-based options.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams, suppliers and stakeholders without direct reports.
- Support adoption, practical outcomes and continuous improvement through lessons learned.
Requirements
- 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, risk-management, communication and influencing skills; able to engage senior leaders and facilitate decisions.
- Recognized project management qualification, such as PRINCE2, PMP or AgilePM.
Working arrangements
- Based in the Dubai office, typically four days a week.
- Works flexibly across time zones and travels occasionally to Cognita offices and schools to support delivery.
About Cognita
Cognita is a global independent education group founded in 2004, with 90 schools in 20 countries and more than 100,000 students.
Safeguarding and equal opportunity
The employer is committed to safeguarding children and young people; appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
The employer states its commitment to equal opportunity and treating employees with dignity and respect.
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