Development Manager (Property/construction)

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background screening checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Position Objective:
Cognita is looking for a Development Manager to help deliver its growth targets for the Cognita Schools Group in Vietnam. The ideal candidate leads via their own actions and behaviour, works well in teams and acts with transparency and honesty. The successful person will be responsible for the design and construction of two K-12 campuses in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Responsibilities:
To provide professional services and have central responsibility and principle leadership of the following key tasks:
a) Preparation of the Project Brief, including managing input from teachers, staff and other stakeholders as required.
b) Brief and supervise the activities of internal Cognita project members, consultants and legal advisors as they relate to the project.
c) To chair design and construction meetings and to support Cognita's Project Governance entity, the Project Steering Committee for the duration of the Project.
d) Lead negotiations with all external parties related to the project and manage all contractual obligations on Cognita's behalf (including but not limited to consultants, vendors, contractors).
e) Responsibility for the preparation of the project cost plan, project budget, financial reporting and co-ordination of all project payments.
f) Identify potential issues related to programme, cost, quality including provision of written advice and other information to project stakeholders as required.
g) Liaise with government authorities as required to secure all development approval and occupancy permits required for the purpose of delivering the project.
h) Where appropriate liaise with Cognita’s local development partner to ensure all necessary government approvals are obtained to support the acquisition of the relevant school site and construction of the school.
i) Ensure the School’s compliance with all Authority Approval requirements relating to property and construction and provide school management with all necessary support required to secure appropriate school licenses and permits;
j) Manage program integration between the Contractor and the School;
k) Delivery to time, cost and quality standards set by the Steering Committee inclusive of direct cost exposures these being Owners Works, Provisional Sum items not transferred into the Contractor and any other direct provider contracts.

This is not an exhaustive list. The role includes incidental and administrative duties as are reasonably required to perform the role and deliver the project.

The job holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young person’s for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the relevant Cognita Safeguarding; Child Protection Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the role, the job holder identifies any instance that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm either at school or at home, s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Child Protection Officer/Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head of indeed to the Regional CEP so that a referral can be made accordingly to the relevant third part services.