Talent & Performance Manager

About the role

The Talent & Performance Manager will lead Cognita's global performance cycle and drive high‑performance practices across 86 schools. Based in Dubai, you will partner with senior leaders to ensure consistent, data‑driven talent decisions and a seamless performance platform experience.

Key responsibilities

• Own the end‑to‑end global performance cycle, from objective‑setting to final reviews.
• Drive consistency in goal‑setting and competency assessment aligned with strategic priorities.
• Partner on talent reviews, succession planning, and high‑potential assessments for leadership roles.
• Coach managers and People & Culture colleagues to conduct developmental performance conversations.
• Lead calibration processes to ensure fair outcomes across regions.
• Track cycle milestones, ensure on‑time closure, and create playbooks for managers and employees.
• Champion adoption of the Cognita People performance platform and provide reporting and analytics.
• Collaborate with HR systems/IT teams on platform readiness, issue resolution, and digitisation of talent processes.

Required profile

• 5–8 years progressive experience in Talent Management, Performance Management, or HR Business Partnering, preferably in a multi‑country organisation.
• Proven ability to design and run performance cycles and talent/succession review processes.
• Strong coaching skills to guide managers through performance conversations.
• Excellent communication and collaborative, people‑first approach.

Required skills

• Objective‑setting
• HRIS / performance platform adoption and reporting
• Performance management design
• Calibration processes
• Competency frameworks
• Talent Management