Talent & Performance Manager
Role Overview
The Talent & Performance Manager brings Cognita's global Thrive talent and performance philosophy to daily practices and supporting systems.
Based in Dubai and reporting to the Head of Talent & Performance, the role works across multiple regions.
The position combines performance-practice quality with data and systems that help leaders make decisions.
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
About Cognita
Cognita is a global schools group supporting 86 schools across five regions.
The organisation aims to support schools, improve experiences for students and colleagues, and contribute beyond its schools.
About the role
The Talent & Performance Manager brings Cognita's global Thrive talent and performance philosophy to daily practices and supporting systems.
Based in Dubai and reporting to the Head of Talent & Performance, the role works across multiple regions.
The position combines performance-practice quality with data and systems that help leaders make decisions.
Responsibilities
- Run the global performance cycle from objective-setting through check-ins and final reviews.
- Drive consistent goal-setting and competency assessment aligned with strategy and values.
- Support talent reviews, succession planning, and assessments for leadership and critical roles.
- Coach managers and People & Culture colleagues on developmental performance conversations.
- Support fair calibration across teams and regions; track milestones and create practical playbooks.
- Drive Cognita People platform adoption and own cycle reporting and analytics.
- Coordinate platform readiness and issue resolution with HR systems and IT; support digitisation of probation and PIPs.
- Maintain data accuracy and use insights to measure engagement and improve processes.
Qualifications and experience
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Human Resources, Organisational Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 5–8 years of progressive experience in Talent Management, Performance Management, or HR Business Partnering.
- Experience in a large, multi-country organisation is described as ideal.
- Experience designing or running performance cycles and talent or succession review processes.
- Track record coaching managers and function heads toward high-quality performance conversations.
What you'll bring
- Knowledge of performance and talent management design, objective-setting, competency frameworks, and calibration.
- Ability to analyse and present people insights to stakeholders.
- Project management skills for handling multiple priorities and stakeholders.
- Confident communication and ability to turn concepts into practical guidance.
- Collaborative, people-first approach that builds trust and supports change.
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