Head of Applications

OFG Education; Manchester; Ibrido; GBP 59.000 - 72.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Descrizione del lavoro

OFG Education in Manchester is seeking a Head of Applications to lead the Group Application portfolio, drive governance, and oversee integration capabilities. You will manage a team of Application Managers and Integration Engineers, partnering with Cyber Security, Infrastructure, Data, PMO, and senior stakeholders to deliver secure and cost-effective technology change.

The role requires extensive experience in enterprise applications and ITSM, with a focus on supplier governance and budget

Competenze

• Significant experience leading enterprise applications or integration teams.
• Strong understanding of ITSM, application lifecycle, and supplier governance.
• Proven track record of managing contracts and software costs.
• Ability to communicate complex issues to senior non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with agile/project management methods.
• Experience with education systems (MIS, safeguarding, assessment platforms).
• Passionate about using technology to improve education.

Mansioni

• Own the Group Application portfolio with 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 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 cost optimisation across license, subscription, and platform costs.
• Support and build a capable, engaged team with clear objectives and development pathways.

Conoscenze

Enterprise applications leadership

ITSM & governance

Supplier governance

Stakeholder management

Education technology

Power Automate

Strumenti

Power Automate

Descrizione del lavoro

Enter your postcode, then select the range below

• Range

Head of Applications

Group Head Office

• Manchester
• Permanent

Salary: £65,000 per annum

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

In 2025, OFG Education were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running

Job Title: Head of Applications

Location: Manchester (Hybrid - Occasional UK and worldwide travel may be required)

Working Pattern: Permanent, Full Time

Salary: £65,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Please note: UK applicants only | No sponsorship available

About Us

At OFG Education, we believe every student deserves an education designed around who they are. Through high expectations, deep expertise and truly personalised education, we help students realise their potential and prepare for successful futures.

Building on more than 20 years of experience, we are bringing our approach to more students and communities around the world. Across the UK, Iberia and the Gulf, our schools combine the strength, expertise and high standards of an international education group with the individuality of each school and the communities they serve.

Whatever your role, joining OFG education means contributing to our shared ambition: empowering every student to success through truly personalised education.

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 .

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 .

Experience with or familiarity with education systems (e.g., MIS, safeguarding, assessment platforms) .

Passionate about using technology to improve education, s afeguarding, 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.

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.

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 Vis ta (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 anEqual Opportunities Employer.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of suitable applications is received. OFG Education 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.

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

Salary: 45,000-55,000 per annum (depending on location)

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm

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.

Supporting autistic pupils to value their uniqueness and access the world in their own way.

At Momenta Connect we support young people to overcome barriers and engage with education.

We are committed to enabling outstanding futures for all children through a portfolio of inclusive, high-quality independent and international schools.