Group M&A Project Manager

Full Job Description

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.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit*

Job Title: Group M&A Project Manager

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum

Location: Manchester office 1-2 day per week (Hybrid)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon - Fri, 9:000am - 5:00pm

JOB PURPOSE:          

As Group M&A Project Manager at Outcomes First Group, you will lead the coordination, planning and delivery of projects that support the acquisition of new schools, services, and businesses across the UK and internationally.

Working closely with the wider Commercial, Strategy, and Executive teams, you will help track all ongoing acquisition opportunities, manage the project lifecycle from lead generation through to integration, and ensure cross-functional delivery across legal, finance, people services, operations and IT.

This is a highly collaborative and fast-paced role that plays a critical part in our continued growth and commitment to expanding access to specialist education and care for neurodivergent children and young people

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Project Pipeline Coordination Maintain a clear and up-to-date register of all live and potential acquisition projects across the group. Log new leads, ensure internal visibility, and track each opportunity from initial scoping to completion.

· Project Lifecycle Management Map and monitor all stages of each M&A project, including due diligence, commercial analysis, legal process, mobilisation planning and post-acquisition integration.

· Stakeholder Coordination Act as the central point of coordination across functional leads—ensuring each team understands their role, responsibilities and timelines within the acquisition process.

· Risk and Issue Management Identify potential blockers or risks to delivery and proactively work with the relevant teams to resolve issues and maintain momentum.

· Governance and Reporting Produce clear project documentation (e.g., RAID logs, timelines, project updates, decision logs). Lead weekly check-ins, project huddles and senior review meetings.

· Acquisition Readiness Ensure that all project milestones (legal, financial, operational and HR) are tracked and completed to required standards before handover to operational teams.

· Integration Planning Work with business leads to ensure smooth mobilisation and integration of new services into the Group structure, including alignment with systems, policies and safeguarding standards.

· Methodology Application Apply project management methodologies such as PRINCE2 and Agile appropriately based on the nature and complexity of each acquisition project.

EXPERIENACE AND SKILLS:

Essential Experience:

· Demonstrable experience managing cross-functional business projects, ideally with exposure to M&A or high-growth, multi-site operations.

· Experience in mapping out project phases, tracking actions, coordinating stakeholders, and managing multiple concurrent projects.

· Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and drive workstreams forward independently.

· Excellent communication skills – able to confidently engage with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.

· Knowledge of governance practices, RAID logs, business case development and project documentation.

· Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Trello) and collaborative platforms (e.g., SharePoint, Teams).

Desirable Experience:

· Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or integration programmes within regulated

sectors (e.g., education, healthcare, care).

· Understanding of commercial diligence, contract processes, or operational readiness assessments.

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

· Exposure to working on international growth or acquisitions.

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.

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 Vision

Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world-class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world.

Our Mission

We commit to unlocking our pupils’ potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations.

Our Promise

We Listen.

We never assume.

We work together.

To make the remarkable happen.

We are accountable.

To each other and for one another.

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.
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• 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

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.