Head of Operations

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries – in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East – serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

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.

Since 1996, Dasman Bilingual School has been dedicated to enriching the lives of its students, their families, and the community by providing high-quality bilingual education in a safe, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment. We celebrate diversity and ensure that every student, regardless of background or ability, feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

With a student body representing various nationalities and abilities, we foster a progressive and welcoming atmosphere that promotes academic excellence and personal growth. Committed to internationalism and inclusivity, we cultivate a multicultural community that embraces differences and encourages global citizenship, lifelong learning, and interconnectedness.

Guided by a vision of continuous improvement, we embrace a holistic approach to education—empowering, engaging, inspiring, and motivating the youth of today to build a better future for tomorrow.

At DBS, we believe in “Never leave anyone behind.” Every student has unique skills, and we are committed to nurturing their potential to help them become productive, independent citizens.

We recognise the importance of parental involvement and offer training sessions to keep families informed and engaged in their child’s development.

Our goal is to become the first research-based practice school in the region, ensuring students thrive through evidence-based education. With science, innovation, and strong community support, we believe DBS can compete with top international schools worldwide.

We would be proud to have you as part of the DBS family.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Operations to join our team in Kuwait and play a pivotal role in shaping the success and growth of our esteemed school.

Reporting directly to the Superintendent, you will be a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for overseeing all non academic operations. You will ensure the school achieves its strategic goals, delivering exceptional experiences for students, parents, and staff alike.

Key Responsibilities

Finance & Procurement

Drive financial performance, meeting or exceeding P&L targets.

Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

Manage procurement and asset management to ensure cost efficiency.

Marketing & Admissions

Collaborate with the leadership team to execute growth strategies and optimise enrolment.

Analyse market trends and develop data-driven strategies to enhance school positioning.

Human Resources

Work with HR to foster staff retention, professional development, and performance management of the operations team.

Drive initiatives to build a robust and motivated team.

Operations & Compliance

Oversee facilities, security, IT operations, and transportation.

Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards, including child safeguarding policies.

Collaborate across teams to optimise resources and align operations with school objectives.

Essential Skills & Experience

Proven leadership and management experience in complex, multi-functional roles.

Strong communication and collaboration skills across diverse teams and cultures.

Experience in compliance, risk management, and operations within a regulated environment.

Demonstrated success in influencing strategic decisions and driving organizational performance.

Qualifications

Degree in Business, Management, or Education.

Minimum of 10 years’ experience, with at least 5 years leading cross-functional teams in education, retail, hospitality, or a similar sector.

If you’re interested in creating an exceptional learning environment where students, staff, and the community thrive together, we welcome your application; please include your current, up-to-date CV.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Cognita is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff, volunteers, and third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks are required before any appointment is confirmed.