Senior IT Project Manager

About the role

Cognita, a global network of independent schools, is looking for a Senior IT Project Manager to lead complex technology projects and programmes across its group of schools, from business case through to handover into day-to-day operations. The role sits in the Technology Centre of Excellence and reports to the Head of IT Project Management. It is based in the Dubai office, typically four days a week, with flexible working across time zones and occasional travel.

Key responsibilities

• Lead technology projects end to end, from initiation and business case through deployment and transition to day-to-day use, covering applications, software development and infrastructure
• Set up project governance, plans, budgets, milestones and change control, and own project KPIs and reporting
• Manage risks, issues and dependencies, and escalate material issues with evidence-based options for sponsors and governance forums
• Build relationships across Centres of Excellence, schools and third-party partners and coordinate cross-functional teams and suppliers without direct reports
• Ensure deliverables are adopted in practice and capture lessons learned

Required profile

• Experience delivering complex technology projects or programmes through their 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
• A recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP or AgilePM