Security Operations Manager in Manchester

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running. We’re reimagining work/life balance – and you could be part of it. At OFG, we’re proud to be part of the 4-Day Working Week trial – a bold step toward giving our teams more time to recharge, refresh, and enjoy life outside of work. That means you could be working 80% of your usual hours, while still earning 100% of your pay.

Location: Manchester (Hybrid working - 2 days in the office)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon–Fri 9–5

Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

About Us: At Outcomes First Group, we believe every child can thrive when given the right environment for success. As one of the world’s leading providers in our sector, we deliver exceptional, research‑led education tailored to each individual, with smaller class sizes and personalised learning plans. Our vision is to empower every child with a world‑class education that nurtures potential and inspires lifelong learning. Our mission is to unlock that potential through personalised learning and opportunity.

Role: As Security Operations Manager, you will play a key role in protecting Outcomes First Group’s information systems, data, staff, and service users. You will lead and develop security operations capability across the organisation, ensuring robust detection, response, and resilience against cyber threats. You will manage day‑to‑day security operations, oversee incident response, and work closely with third‑party partners to maintain 24/7 operational security coverage. Using threat intelligence, proactive monitoring, and automation, you will continuously enhance OFG’s cyber security posture in line with the Cyber Security Strategy.

What you’ll do:

• Ensure OFG has effective capabilities in place to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents.
• Liaise with a third‑party managed service provider.
• Own and develop the incident response framework and playbooks, including regular testing and executive‑level tabletop exercises.
• Lead and mature OFG’s threat intelligence capability, delivering actionable insights to operational teams and key stakeholders.
• Own the end‑to‑end vulnerability management programme, including penetration testing, remediation tracking, and risk mitigation.
• Manage and develop a team of security analysts, acting as an escalation point for operational security issues.
• Drive efficiency improvements through automation and the use of AI within security operations processes.
• Deliver regular management information and reporting on OFG’s security posture, identifying risks and recommending improvements.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting and monitoring across the technology estate to identify weaknesses and emerging threats.
• Identify key cyber risks to the organisation and collaborate with stakeholders to implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Support the delivery of cyber security projects aligned to OFG’s Cyber Security Strategy.
• Identify future security operations needs and develop capability to support organisational growth.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in a Cyber Security Manager, SOC Lead, or similar security operations leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience building, developing, or maturing security operations capabilities and playbooks.
• Strong experience implementing and managing vulnerability management programmes across large IT estates.
• Hands‑on knowledge of security technologies such as SIEM, endpoint protection, email and web gateways.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate complex security issues clearly.
• Experience of security investigations and incident response best practice; knowledge of Microsoft Purview and digital forensics is advantageous.
• Ideally, hands‑on experience with Microsoft security technologies such as Defender, Intune, and Entra ID.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with strong attention to detail and ownership mindset.
• CISSP or similar industry‑recognised cyber security qualifications are desirable.

About the Group: Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high‑quality special needs education and care. We are a vital part of local communities in England, Scotland and Wales with a renowned reputation for quality and positive outcomes for the people we educate and care for. Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect.

Benefits: Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

And a market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Equal Opportunities: We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Employment Conditions: Please note: 4DWW is subject to successful completion of your probation period and is not a contractual benefit. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.