At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and improve our application estate while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Company: Join the UK's largest independent provider of specialist education and care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic family dedicated to high-quality education.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education technology and support meaningful outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading application teams and managing supplier relationships.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 63000 £ per year.
In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Location: Manchester (Hybrid - Occasional UK and worldwide travel may be required)
Working Pattern: Permanent, Full Time
Salary: £63,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
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.
Essential Experience, Skills & Qualifications
- 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.
A great company to work for. Wherever you work – whether in a city location or one of our more rural settings – you’ll be part of one dynamic family, aiming high and dreaming big, and helping the people we work with achieve their own personal goals.
Our Schools & Services
With amazing teams working across our family of brands – Acorn Education, Options Autism, Momenta Connect and Blenheim Schools– we offer a huge range of exciting career opportunities. Take a closer look and discover how fulfilling your career could be. Meeting the social and emotional needs of pupils who have faced trauma or adversity, equipping them for life’s important steps.
Head of Applications in Manchester employer: Momenta Connect
Outcomes First Group is an exceptional employer, recognised as a 'Great Place to Work' for six consecutive years, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture that empowers employees to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. Located in Manchester, this role provides opportunities for hybrid working and occasional travel, alongside a comprehensive benefits package that includes flexible contributions to a pension scheme, mental health support, and family growth assistance. With a strong commitment to employee development and innovation, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality education and care services across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Applications 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 Momenta Connect 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 Momenta Connect 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 Momenta Connect!
✨Direct Apply to Momenta Connect
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Momenta Connect 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 Head of Applications 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 Momenta Connect.
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 Momenta Connect. 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 Momenta Connect
✨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.
