Property Project Manager

The English Montessori School; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - GBP 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Property Project Manager to oversee property operations and ensure compliance across the UK school estate. You will manage repairs, maintenance projects, and contribute to long-term estate planning while ensuring safety and compliance standards. This hybrid role requires frequent collaboration in our London office and offers a competitive salary along with benefits like professional development and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary depending on qualifications

Pension scheme enrolment

25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

School fee discount

Exclusive third-party discounts

Ongoing professional development

Qualifications

• Strong technical knowledge of building construction and engineering services.
• Ability to communicate clearly and build strong relationships.
• Experience in building surveying or facilities management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee property-related activities and complex building issues.
• Guide schools through repairs, maintenance, and improvement works.
• Support delivery of investment projects and monitor budgets.

Skills

Building construction knowledge

Engineering services knowledge

Statutory compliance expertise

Contractor management

Problem-solving skills

Job description

About Cognita

About Cognita: Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 90 schools in 21 countries—in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East—serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools is proudly unique; our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, "Thrive in a rapidly evolving world".

We have a new exciting opportunity for an experienced Property Project Manager UK to join our fantastic team.

About the Role

As a Property Project Manager, you will play a vital role in ensuring the safe, efficient and compliant operation of Cognita’s UK school estate. You will oversee a wide range of property-related activities—from diagnosing complex building issues to guiding schools through repairs, maintenance and improvement works. You will contribute to condition surveys, planned investment programmes and statutory compliance processes, helping schools make informed decisions that keep their environments safe, functional, and fit for the future. Working closely with the Head of Property, you will support the delivery of investment projects, monitor budgets and help shape long-term estate planning. Your work will have a direct impact on the wellbeing of students and colleagues, and you’ll actively uphold safeguarding, health and safety, and contractor management standards across all sites.

This is a hybrid role: you will work remotely, but you will need to be in our Eastcastle Street, London office 2–3 days per week to collaborate with colleagues, attend meetings and support the wider property function.

To view our Role Profile, click here.

Who We Are Looking For

You are a confident, solutions-focused property professional with strong technical knowledge of building construction, engineering services and statutory compliance. You communicate clearly, build strong relationships and thrive in a role that requires autonomy, organisation and excellent judgement. You enjoy managing contractors, interrogating survey reports and finding pragmatic ways to resolve building issues. With a background in building surveying or facilities management, ideally across multiple sites, you bring professionalism, initiative and a commitment to continual improvement. Above all, you care about creating safe, well-maintained environments where staff and students can thrive.

Benefits at Cognita

• Competitive salary depending upon qualifications and experience
• Enrolment in our company\'s pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave allowance + Bank Holidays
• School fee discount
• Exclusive third-party discounts
• Ongoing professional development

How to Apply

Complete this application before the closing date: Sunday 22nd February 2026.

Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.