Senior Design Manager

Cognita isa global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growingcommunity of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each ofour schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create anenvironment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’. At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinctpersonalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, andemotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. Weprotect 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. We arelooking for a Senior Design Manager to join our growing team in Dubai.This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional with a proven trackrecord of delivering complex school development and educational facilityprojects across the region. You'll lead the full project lifecycle, frominitial concept and stakeholder engagement through to detailed design,construction, and final handover. Responsibilities: Design Leadership & Strategy Champion innovative, functional, and aesthetic design solutionsaligned with client needs and organisational vision. Drive creative direction and design quality across all stages ofdevelopment. Define project requirements in collaboration with schoolstakeholders and educational authorities. Design Management & Execution Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams across multipleprojects. Ensure timely delivery of design solutions within scope and budget. Support business development and operations through collaborativeproject execution. Stakeholder Collaboration Act as the primary liaison for clients, consultants, contractors,and ministries. Lead design reviews and regulatory presentations with confidenceand clarity. Maintain consistent communication of design intent across allproject phases. Quality Control & Documentation Review and validate all drawings, specifications, and designdocumentation. Implement rigorous quality standards and sustainability benchmarks. Ensure compliance with regional codes, safety standards, and bestpractices. Budget& Resource Management Monitor budgets and resource allocation to optimize projectperformance. Ensure your team is equipped with the tools and talent to succeed. Track milestones and proactively resolve project challenges. Innovation& Sustainability Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies. Integrate green building practices and future-ready design intoevery project. Required Skills & Experience: Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architecture or related field. Professional licensure (RIBA, AIA, or equivalent) preferred. LEED or sustainability certification is a plus. PMP or project management certification desirable. Minimum 10 years in architectural design with at least 3 in asenior leadership role. Demonstrated success delivering large-scale education orinstitutional projects. Strong portfolio showcasing relevant design excellence acrosssectors. Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management. Proficiency in Auto CAD, Revit, Sketch Up, Rhino and related designsoftware. Deep knowledge of building codes, construction methodologies, andsustainable design principles. Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a dynamicenvironment. Why Join Cognita? At Cognita,we’re not just building schools, we’re shaping futures. This role offers thechance to: Lead the design of innovative, future ready learning environments. Drive impactful projects that support regional growth andeducational excellence. Collaborate with passionate professionals in a globally respectededucation group. Be part of a purpose driven, ambitious, and forward thinkingorganisation. Pleasenote, this role is office-based (Dubai, UAE) with local and regional sitevisits as required. Cognitais committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and youngpeople and expects all staff, volunteers, and other third parties to share thiscommitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checkswill be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. #J-18808-Ljbffr