Interim Head of IT Operations

Job Title: Head of IT Operations (6 month FTC) 

Location: Bolton 

Contract Type: Permanent 

Location: Bolton, Hybrid Working - 2 days minimum in the office 

Salary: Up to £60,000 - £80,000 per annum dependent on experience (pro-rata) 

We're thrilled to announce an opportunity to join our team here at Outcomes First Group as the Head of IT Operations. This role is based in Bolton and offers a hybrid working arrangement, with a minimum of 2 days in the office.

At Outcomes First Group, our mission is to provide neurodivergent children and young people with access to exceptional education tailored to their unique needs, abilities, and aspirations. We are the largest and most esteemed organization in our sector, delivering specialized education and care from early years through to further education. Through our three expert-led brands – Acorn Education, Options Autism, and Momenta Connect – we provide dedicated services that empower individuals to overcome barriers, develop, flourish, and achieve their personal goals. 

As the Head of IT Operations, you'll play a pivotal role in our organization, responsible for overseeing and optimizing all aspects of our IT infrastructure and operations. Reporting to the Head of IT Operationsyou'll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the seamless functioning of our IT systems and support the achievement of our strategic objectives. 

Job Purpose: 

As the Head of IT Operations, you will be responsible for: 

• Leading and managing the IT operations team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality IT services and support to our internal stakeholders. 
• Developing and implementing IT policies, procedures, and best practices to optimize efficiency, security, and compliance across the organization. 
• Overseeing the maintenance and enhancement of our IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, systems, and applications. 
• Identifying opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement in IT operations, driving initiatives to enhance service delivery, scalability, and reliability. 
• Managing vendor relationships and contracts, negotiating agreements, and ensuring the effective utilization of external resources and services. 
• Providing strategic guidance and recommendations to senior leadership on IT investments, initiatives, and risk management. 

To thrive in this role, you'll need: 

• Extensive experience in IT operations management, with a proven track record of success in leading and transforming IT teams and functions. 
• Strong technical expertise across a range of IT disciplines, including infrastructure, networking, security, and cloud technologies. 
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop high-performing teams. 
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities, with the capacity to engage effectively with diverse audiences and build collaborative relationships. 
• A strategic mindset, with the capability to align IT initiatives with organizational goals and drive innovation and change. 

Desirable qualifications and experience include: 

• Relevant certifications such as ITIL, PMP, or CISSP. 
• Experience in the education or healthcare sector. 
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements such as GDPR and data protection laws. 

Why Join Us? 

Our Vision: 

We believe that with a great education, every neurodivergent pupil can thrive and make their way in the world. 

Our Mission: 

Every day we improve the lives of our pupils, their families, and local communities through a relentless focus on wellbeing and learning. 

Our Promise: 

We are kind to ourselves and each other...We work together... and we make things happen. 

Our Promise sits alongside our Vision and Mission. It describes the sort of people we are and our commitment to how we treat each other, work together, and behave. It represents what’s truly important to us as individuals and as a team. It is easily translatable into behaviors we all practice and experience every day. It's the golden thread that runs through every leader, team, and individual. 

How do we achieve and deliver the 'Incredible'? 

We are dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities and care for neurodivergent young people. Our focus is on ensuring that each of our pupils has access to learning that is tailored to their needs, enabling them to overcome specific barriers, achieve personal goals, and celebrate their successes. At the heart of everything we do is the individual pupil. We are committed to staying up to date with the latest developments in SEN education, and we continuously strive to innovate our approach and empower our teams to achieve the best possible outcomes for our pupils. Our multi-disciplinary teams bring together an array of specialisms and expertise, collaborating to find a route to success for every pupil, whatever that may mean for them. 

Our efforts are paying off - in the last academic year alone, we educated over 3,000 neurodivergent pupils, and 98% of our schools were given an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. Even more importantly, 100% of our leavers go on to employment, education, or training - a significantly higher rate than the national average. 

We firmly believe that our young people possess great potential, and we are committed to helping them fulfill it. 

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to apply for this rewarding position.