Regional IT Project 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, across the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

Job Overview

Reporting to the Regional Technology Director, the Regional IT Project Manager will lead the delivery of a portfolio of technology initiatives across the region. These projects will span infrastructure, applications, cyber security, data, and service improvement.
This role ensures technology initiatives align with regional priorities and Cognita’s global strategy while being delivered in a structured, coordinated and outcome-focused manner.

You will work closely with regional leaders, service delivery teams, schools and Group technology functions to ensure projects are delivered successfully with minimal disruption to teaching, learning and business operations.

What you’ll do

Delivery & Governance

• Lead the delivery of assigned regional IT projects, ensuring outcomes, timelines and quality standards are met
• Apply Group PMO standards, governance frameworks and delivery methodologies
• Coordinate IT activities supporting M&A and corporate development initiatives
• Establish strong governance including reporting, risk management and dependency tracking
• Provide clear project status reporting to regional and Group stakeholders
• Support audit, assurance and quality reviews aligned with PMO expectations

Planning & Control

• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules and resource forecasts
• Identify and mitigate project risks, issues and dependencies
• Manage project scope, budget and timelines
• Ensure delivery plans align with regional operational calendars and school needs
• Maintain delivery momentum while balancing quality, risk and stakeholder expectations

Stakeholder & Engagement Management

• Collaborate with regional business leaders, school leadership and technology teams
• Coordinate activities between regional teams, Group functions and suppliers
• Present clear recommendations and options to support effective decision-making
• Build trusted relationships through transparency and structured delivery

People & Ways of Working

• Lead cross-functional delivery teams across multiple IT disciplines
• Promote consistent project delivery standards and behaviours
• Support adoption of Group PMO tools, templates and reporting frameworks
• Encourage collaboration, ownership and continuous improvement

Suppliers & Partners

• Manage third-party vendors and delivery partners supporting regional initiatives
• Ensure suppliers align with Cognita delivery standards and governance
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed milestones and deliverables
• Escalate delivery risks or performance concerns appropriately

What we’re looking for

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Technology, Information Systems or equivalent experience
• Professional project management certification such as PRINCE2, PMP or AgilePM preferred
• Knowledge of PMO frameworks, governance models and delivery assurance practices

Experience

• Experience delivering IT projects in regional, multi-site or international environments
• Experience working within Group standards with local delivery models
• Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and external suppliers
• Experience delivering projects impacting live operations and end users
• Experience supporting change adoption, transition to BAU and operational readiness

Skills

• Strong IT project delivery capability across multiple disciplines
• Ability to apply structured project management practices in complex environments
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Ability to influence and coordinate teams without direct authority
• Strong planning, reporting and risk management capabilities
• Ability to balance global standards with regional operational needs

Why Join Cognita?

At Cognita you will be part of a global education organisation shaping the future of learning. Your work will directly support schools and students by enabling technology transformation across a diverse and international environment.

You’ll collaborate with passionate professionals across regions while helping deliver technology change that strengthens operations and delivers lasting value.

Cognita is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.