Managing Director

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

We're on a mission to give our colleagues an amazing work/life balance

Job title: Managing Director  

Location: TBC

Salary: £100,000.00 per annum

Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday

Accountable to:  CEO

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the role:

Outcomes First Group is expanding its educational offering with a new opportunity to enhance its mission of providing inclusive, high-quality learning environments. The Managing Director will play a pivotal role in establishing and leading this new initiative, developing and managing a network of schools across the UK. This leader will drive strategic growth and operational excellence, ensuring that all schools within the group uphold our core values of inclusivity, student well-being, and exceptional educational outcomes. Working closely with the Board, the Managing Director will set and execute a vision that empowers students to thrive and prepares them for successful futures.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and drive a long-term vision for the new educational initiative within Outcomes First Group, setting a strategy that supports growth and operational success.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board to identify strategic opportunities for expansion, including new sites, acquisitions, and partnerships.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee the operational performance of the schools within the new initiative, ensuring consistent standards of quality and efficiency.
• Develop and refine operational processes, leveraging industry best practices to optimise resource management and scalability.

Growth and Innovation

• Lead the expansion of the new initiative through innovative approaches to learning and operational management, leveraging insights from both education and other sectors.
• Identify new market opportunities and implement growth strategies to achieve long-term sustainability.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including parents, community leaders, regulators, and external partners.
• Represent Outcomes First Group in key industry and community discussions, advocating for our commitment to inclusivity and pupil success

Team Leadership and Development

• Inspire and guide a high-performing senior leadership team, creating a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Partner with HR to develop recruitment, training, and retention strategies that support the needs of an all-abilities environment.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Ensure regulatory compliance and risk management across all schools, safeguarding the organisation’s reputation and operational integrity.
• Oversee safeguarding, health, and safety protocols, maintaining a safe and supportive environment for pupils and staff.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience within a multi-site organisation, ideally involving complex operations, regardless of sector (education, healthcare, hospitality, retail, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute growth strategies, manage P&L, and drive operational efficiency across a network of locations.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking, to support both operational sustainability and growth.
• Experience engaging with Boards, investors (particularly private equity), or other executive stakeholders to communicate strategy, progress, and outcomes.
• A dedication to fostering inclusive environments, supporting diverse teams, and enhancing accessibility and opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds.
• Expertise in leading change and implementing innovative practices to meet organisational needs and improve performance.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Experience in an investor-backed organisation, with an understanding of value creation in a private equity context.
• Experience across multiple sectors (e.g., education, healthcare, social care, hospitality) and a strong record of successfully adapting to new environments or sectors.
• Familiarity with mergers and acquisitions, particularly within multi-site or service-based organisations, and experience in integrating newly acquired operations.
• An advanced degree in business administration, management, or a related field, with leadership certifications as an added advantage.
• Proven success in developing talent and building a culture of engagement and continuous improvement within a large team or network.
• While not essential, knowledge of inclusive educational practices, neurodivergent learning, or similar fields is an advantage.

Qualities & behaviors:

• Passionate about inclusive education and dedicated to the success and well-being of all students.
• Visionary and results-oriented, with a commitment to driving educational and operational excellence.
• Collaborative, approachable, and values-driven leader who fosters a supportive team culture that embraces diversity and inclusivity.

Additional Requirements : 

• Act as an ambassador for Outcomes First Group
• At all times promote and comply with organisations commitment to safeguarding, equal opportunities and health and safety 

Please note the role specification is subject to change as part of the dynamic nature of the business.

Why join Outcomes First Group? 

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the leading provider of specialist education in the UK. We exist to give neurodivergent children and young people access to a great education that caters to their specific needs, abilities and aspirations.

There are three brands in our Outcomes First family: Acorn Education, Options Autism and Momenta Connect. Together, we educate, care for and support children, young people, and adults across the UK, empowering them to be happy and make their way in the world.

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. 

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

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
• Family Growth Support -inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We're on a mission to give our colleagues an amazing work/life balance

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.