In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running
Job Title: Head of Applications
Location: Manchester (Hybrid - Occasional UK and worldwide travel may be required)
Working Pattern: Permanent, Full Time
Salary: £63,000 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 brands, including Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect, we support children, young people and adults across the UK to achieve incredible outcomes and live more fulfilled lives.
As our organisation continues to grow, we're investing heavily in our technology services to ensure colleagues across our schools, services and offices have the tools and support they need to deliver exceptional outcomes.
We're now looking for a Head of Applications to join our Group IT team. Reporting to the Chief Architect, this pivotal role will oversee our application estate and integration capability across the Group.
About the Role
The Head of Applications is accountable for the effective management, governance, and continuous improvement of the Group application estate and integration capability. The role ensures that applications and integrations remain secure, reliable, supportable, cost-effective, and aligned with business priorities across the Group.
Leading a dedicated team of Application Managers and Integration Engineers, you will own application and integration service performance and work in partnership with Cyber Security, Infrastructure, Data, PMO, and senior business stakeholders to deliver sustainable technology change.
Key Responsibilities
Own the Group Application portfolio, ensuring clear technical/business ownership, support models, data classifications, and roadmaps.
Lead reviews of the application landscape to identify opportunities for rationalisation, remediation, retirement, or investment.
Partner with project teams to assess business requirements for new applications or material changes prior to procurement.
Oversee application implementations, upgrades, releases, migrations, and decommissioning.
Lead the Integration function, ensuring solutions and Power Automate workflows are designed, developed, tested, monitored, and supported to approved standards.
Manage operational relationships with strategic application and integration suppliers, overseeing service performance, contracts, and renewals.
Manage application service KPIs, incident trends, risks, and improvement actions.
Contribute to budget setting, forecasting, and commercial cost optimisation across license, subscription, and platform costs.
Support and build a capable, engaged team with clear objectives and development pathways.
Experience, Skills & Qualifications
Essential
Significant experience leading enterprise applications, business systems, application support, or integration engineering teams in a complex multi-site organisation.
Strong understanding of application lifecycle management, IT service management (ITSM), operational acceptance, and supplier governance.
Proven track record of managing supplier contracts, vendor selections, due diligence, and software cost management.
Ability to communicate complex technical and commercial matters clearly to senior non-technical stakeholders.
Experience translating business requirements into delivery plans, options, high-level designs, and supportable services.
Familiarity with agile and/or project management techniques.
Excellent communication, organisational, and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable
Experience with or familiarity with education systems (e.g., MIS, safeguarding, assessment platforms).
Passionate about using technology to improve education, safeguarding, and outcomes for young people.
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.
