GCC Marketing Manager

Working with us

Together, Cognita schools provide a uniquely global education that goes beyond grades, developing academic excellence alongside adaptability, agency, and the positive attitudes that prepare young people to grow, thrive, and find success in a rapidly evolving world.

Cognita Middle East has 14 schools within its portfolio, including: RGS Guildford Dubai, Repton Dubai, Repton Al Barsha and Repton Abu Dhabi, Horizon English School, Horizon International School, Ranches Primary School and Al Ain English Speaking School in the UAE, Dasman Bilingual School in Kuwait, Downe House Riyadh and King’s College Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Downe House Muscat and Cheltenham Muscat in Oman, and King’s College Doha in Qatar.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Marketing Manager to lead all marketing activity across Cognita Middle East’s GCC schools.

Reporting to the Regional Head of Marketing, this role will take ownership of all marketing channels across Dasman Bilingual School, Downe House Riyadh, King’s College Riyadh, Downe House Muscat, Cheltenham Muscat, and King’s College Doha – with potential to include future schools as the portfolio expands.

The Marketing Manager will work closely with the Head of Marketing to shape the strategy for each school and drive enrolment growth through high-quality marketing, brand consistency, and effective campaign execution. They will ensure that every school’s marketing and admissions activity is fully aligned — from social media and websites to open days and school tours — delivering measurable impact across awareness, engagement, enquiries, and conversions.

The position will require regular travel across the region initially to collaborate with school teams and partners on-site.

Arabic fluency is highly favourable for supporting local content adaptation, translation accuracy, and effective regional communication.

What you’ll do

Strategic Marketing Leadership

• Develop and execute marketing strategies for each GCC school in collaboration with the Head of Marketing.
• Own all marketing channels — digital, social, website, events, PR, and traditional — ensuring each is optimised to drive high-quality enquiries and applications.
• Work closely with school Principals, Admissions Directors, and Parent Experience teams to ensure strong alignment between marketing, enrolment, and event performance.
• Define annual marketing plans and budgets for each school and manage delivery to maximise ROI.

Campaign & Channel Management

• Oversee the planning and execution of regional and school-level campaigns across all media channels.
• Ensure social media content for each school is engaging, on-brand, and aligned with Cognita’s quality standards.
• Maintain up-to-date, accurate, and optimised school websites, ensuring messaging, visuals, and user experience support conversion goals.
• Ensure all printed and digital collateral — prospectuses, signage, photography, and video — reflect each school’s positioning and brand identity.

Brand Consistency & Partnerships

• Uphold Cognita and school brand standards across all communications, campaigns, and materials.
• Work with UK-based and international “home schools” to ensure that branded schools maintain consistency, integrity, and quality in their representation.
• Oversee creative and content quality control, ensuring that all work reflects the premium nature of Cognita schools.

Collaboration & Performance

• Partner with Admissions and Parent Experience teams to ensure that campaigns drive both enquiry volume and quality, with open days and school tours well attended.
• Manage the GCC Marketing Executive and external agencies to ensure consistent delivery and operational excellence across all schools.
• Monitor campaign performance and track digital and offline metrics through HubSpot, Google Analytics, and paid media dashboards.
• Produce regular reports for the Head of Marketing and Principals, highlighting performance, insights, and areas for improvement.

Regional Engagement

• Work closely with school-based marketing and admissions teams to provide strategic guidance and hands-on support.
• Travel regularly across GCC schools to attend key events, lead marketing reviews, and strengthen relationships with local teams.
• Support new school launches, brand initiatives, and regional marketing projects

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• 6 – 8 years’ experience in marketing, preferably within an agency, or a multi-asset organisation.
• Proven experience managing marketing across multiple markets or schools.
• Strong understanding of campaign management, digital marketing, and brand communications.
• Excellent organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High attention to detail with strong creative judgment and brand awareness.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; Arabic fluency is highly favourable.
• Proficiency in marketing tools such as HubSpot, Google Analytics, and social media management platforms.
• Flexibility to travel extensively across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar for school visits and events.
• Valid driver’s licence and access to transport preferred. Collaborative mindset with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

If you are driven by challenge and aspire to make a lasting impact, we invite you to apply and be a key player in shaping the future of Cognita Middle East.

Cognita is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers, and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.