At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead large-scale IT projects that drive growth and digital transformation.
- Company: Join the UK's largest independent provider of specialist education and care.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, life assurance, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and innovative organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative team focused on meaningful work.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex IT programmes and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
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
- 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.
- Experience delivering Azure migration, cloud transformation, AI or data platform projects.
- Experience within education, healthcare, social care or multi-site organisations.
- 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.
- 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.
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Senior It Project Manager in Manchester employer: Group Head Office
Outcomes First Group is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, professional growth, and innovative practices, you'll have the opportunity to lead significant technology projects that drive our mission forward. Our commitment to care, aspiration, and inclusion ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior It Project Manager in Manchester
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Group Head Office values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Group Head Office might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Group Head Office!
✨Direct Apply to Group Head Office
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Group Head Office website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior It Project Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Group Head Office.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Group Head Office. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Group Head Office
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
