In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Job Title: Senior IT Project Manager
Location: Hybrid – Manchester City Centre (2 days per week office-based)
Working Pattern: Permanent, Full Time
Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Please note: UK applicants only | No sponsorship available
About us
Outcomes First Group is the UK's largest independent provider of specialist education and care. Through our divisional brand, Momenta Connect, we work with schools, Local Authorities, Multi-Academy Trusts, healthcare providers and families to remove barriers to education and improve outcomes for children and young people.
As we continue to grow, we're looking for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Commercial & Partnerships to help shape our future growth strategy, develop key partnerships and expand our reach across education, health and children's services.
About the Role
This is a senior leadership opportunity within our Group IT function, responsible for delivering large-scale, business-critical technology projects that support OFG's continued growth and digital maturity.
You'll lead complex programmes involving multiple stakeholders, suppliers and technical teams, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and aligned to business objectives. Your initial focus will include leading delivery across OFG's AI roadmap and a major Azure environment build and data warehouse migration programme.
We're looking for a highly credible project delivery professional who combines strong governance and stakeholder management skills with the ability to navigate complex technical programmes in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of large-scale strategic technology projects across Outcomes First Group.
- Manage end-to-end project lifecycles, including planning, mobilisation, governance, execution and closure.
- Develop and maintain project plans, RAID logs, business readiness plans and executive reporting.
- Manage project scope, budgets, timelines, risks, issues and dependencies.
- Establish effective governance structures, reporting frameworks and stakeholder engagement plans.
- Coordinate internal technology teams, business stakeholders, external suppliers and third-party partners.
- Support procurement activity, supplier evaluations and contract mobilisation.
- Drive business readiness, adoption and successful transition into operational support.
- Produce clear, concise reporting and recommendations for senior leadership and steering groups.
- Identify delivery risks and constraints early and implement mitigation strategies.
- Contribute to the ongoing development and maturity of project delivery practices within Group IT.
- Support wider portfolio planning, prioritisation and demand management activities.
Experience, Skills & Qualifications
Essential
- Significant experience delivering complex IT programmes and transformation projects within medium to large organisations.
- Proven track record managing cloud, infrastructure, data, enterprise application or digital transformation projects.
- Strong understanding of project governance, risk management, budget control, change management and benefits realisation.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams consisting of technical specialists, business stakeholders and third-party suppliers.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
- Strong commercial awareness and supplier management experience.
- Experience delivering projects involving cyber security, data protection, operational resilience or compliance requirements.
- Ability to produce high-quality reporting and presentations for senior leadership audiences.
- Strong facilitation, communication and problem-solving skills.
Desirable
- Experience delivering Azure migration, cloud transformation, AI or data platform projects.
- Experience within education, healthcare, social care or multi-site organisations.
- PRINCE2, AgilePM, PMP, APM or equivalent project management qualification.
- Experience working within PMO, transformation or portfolio delivery environments.
- Knowledge of Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID and enterprise technology environments.
Why Join Us?
You’ll be joining a growing organisation where you can make a real impact as part of a collaborative and supportive team, contributing to meaningful work across our services.
Outcomes First Group is the UK’s largest independent provider of high-quality special needs education, operating across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools, and Momenta Connect.
By joining our central teams, you’ll help shape strategy, provide expert support, and drive continuous improvement across a growing organisation renowned for quality, impact, and innovation. We value collaboration, professionalism, and creativity, offering the opportunity to influence change at scale while staying true to our core values of care, aspiration, and inclusion.
Benefits
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with flexible contribution options
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental and physical health support
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Flexible benefits via Vista (Cycle to Work, Electric Car Scheme, discounts, critical illness cover, and more)
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS check.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of suitable applications is received. Outcomes First Group is committed to a fair, thorough, and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed, we do not accept liability for any loss of earnings or costs incurred due to delays or changes in compliance processes. All stages are subject to safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales..
