Commercial Project Manager

Outcomes First Group; Bolton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational provider in Bolton is seeking a Project Manager to lead strategic projects and drive business transformation. Responsibilities include managing multi-skilled teams, overseeing project delivery, and implementing effective change management strategies. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in project management and a strong understanding of UK employment law. Competitive salary up to £50,000 with additional benefits including a 4-Day Working Week trial.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Family growth support

Discount options

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing projects in a large organisation.
• Experience in change management and transformation initiatives.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver end-to-end business change projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• Develop change management plans ensuring smooth transitions.
• Proactively identify and manage project risks.
• Create and manage detailed project timelines and budgets.

Skills

Managing complex employee cases

Knowledge of UK employment law

Interpersonal skills

Organisational change experience

Project management certification

Vendor management

Education

Project management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP)

Job description

The Project Manager at Outcomes First Group will be responsible for leading and managing strategic projects that drive organisation wide business transformation. Will lead on-site and virtual, multi-skilled teams, internally and externally and lead the planning and successful delivery of projects, on time, to quality and budget. The Project Manager will take ownership of implementing effective business change approaches to maximise successful project delivery and business wide engagement, in a way that is aligned with Outcomes First Group's mission to provide high-quality care and education to children and young adults. This role is key in ensuring that projects not only achieve their desired outcomes but also support the long-term success and growth of the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead Business Change Projects: Manage and deliver end-to-end business change projects, including budget management and resource demand management, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and strategies,
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including senior leadership, department heads, and operational teams, ensuring effective communication and support for change initiatives.
• Change Management: Develop and implement change management plans, including end user adoption strategies and colleague and pupil engagement to ensure smooth transitions and minimal disruption, driving advocacy for change.
• Business Requirements and Process Improvement: Work collaboratively with Business Analysts to support the definition of business requirements and the design and implementation of new and improved business processes enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the organisation.
• Risk and Issue Management: Proactively identify and manage project risks and resolve issues to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Project Planning and Execution: Create and manage detailed project plans, project timelines, allocate resources, and ensure timely delivery of project milestones and deliverables.
• Project Methodology: Able to work effectively using a range of methodologies including Prince2 and Agile.
• Project Governance: Complete all required project documentation including Status Reports, PIDs, RAID and lead project review meetings and huddles.
• Budget Management: Lead the creation of project Business Cases and manage the secured budget.
• Team Leadership: Lead and motivate cross-functional project teams, ensuring collaboration, clear roles, and successful execution of projects.

Qualifications

• Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure all change initiatives comply with organisational policies, industry regulations, and quality standards including Data Protection.
• Significant experience managing complex employee cases in a large, multi-site or matrix organisation.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Proven ability to coach and influence managers and senior leaders.
• Demonstrated experience in organisational change processes (restructures, redundancies, consultations, TUPE).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle sensitive matters with professionalism.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a high caseload.
• Experience in the education, healthcare, or social care sectors, particularly in organisations providing services to vulnerable groups.
• Familiarity with business systems and IT transformations in regulated environments.
• Certification in project management (eg PRINCE2, PMP) or change management methodologies (eg Prosci).
• Experience in vendor management or managing third‑party service providers in business change initiatives.
• Familiarity with cloud‑based solutions and IT systems in a business change context.

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, and our promise is simple: we listen, we work together, and we are accountable to one another to make the remarkable happen.

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.

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. Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect.

Location & Salary

Bolton, Greater Manchester – Up to £50k per annum Full Time. Post date: Saturday, 1 November 2025. We are 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. If the trial proves successful, we’ll roll out the 4DWW across the Group.

Benefits

• Salary: Up To £50,000 not pro rata (dependent on experience and qualifications)
• 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.
• 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

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.