At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead customer engagements and drive Microsoft 365 adoption for impactful digital transformation.
- Company: Join Chess, a top-rated tech service provider with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, flexible working, and generous holiday allowances.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values growth and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of businesses with innovative tech solutions and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Experience in Microsoft 365 consultancy and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: UK-wide | Business Area: Digital | Salary Details: Competitive basic salary plus additional benefits
Reporting to the Digital Transformation Director, you will lead early stage customer engagements as a subject matter expert, shaping commercial conversations and uncovering client needs. You will drive pre-sales activities by articulating solution value, demonstrating Microsoft 365 capabilities, and guiding customers toward clear, outcomes-focused proposals. In addition, you will play a key role in customer success by supporting the deployment, governance, and optimisation of Microsoft 365 solutions. This role blends technical credibility with commercial insight—helping clients understand the business impact of their technology choices, strengthening user adoption, and positioning Microsoft 365 as a strategic enabler across the full digital workplace ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
- Solution Architecture & Delivery
- Drive adoption of Microsoft 365 features and capabilities across customer organisations.
- Provide strategic advice to senior organisation stakeholders to align Microsoft 365 capabilities to business goals, initiatives and regulatory requirements.
- Proactively identify emerging trends and new features across Microsoft 365, including AI driven productivity, security, governance, automation and the modern workplace experience.
- Lead design and discovery workshops with customers to understand requirements and agree technical solutions.
- Deliver end to end project engagements including design, implementation, testing, handover, documentation, and support, either independently or alongside a project manager.
- Act as an escalation point for complex or high priority support issues, providing expert guidance and hands on assistance to ensure timely and effective resolution.
- Conduct environment assessments, maturity evaluations and roadmap development.
- Lead the development of reusable solution accelerators and best practice solutions.
- Presales and Marketing
- Design and deliver interactive demos, training sessions and small-group workshops for customers and internal teams, working closely with the Head of Sales to support specific opportunities.
- Deliver high impact webinars and seminars showcasing current and future Microsoft 365 capabilities to generate new business and engage wider audiences.
- Develop material to highlight new features, capabilities and trends across Microsoft 365.
- Contribute to high quality proposals, providing clear solution design, understanding of requirements, scope definition, required activities and accurate effort estimates.
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Keep up-to-date with the Microsoft 365 roadmap and market trends to understand new features, assess their impact and provide strategic guidance.
- Demonstrate a commitment to personal development by proactively seeking opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills.
- Provide guidance and mentor colleagues, to promote knowledge sharing and enhance delivery quality.
Key Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in a senior M365 or Modern Workplace consultancy or architecture role.
- Strong leadership background with demonstrable experience guiding and developing technical teams.
- Expertise in Microsoft Copilot, SharePoint Online, Teams, OneDrive, Exchange Online, and the wider Microsoft 365 stack.
- Deep understanding of governance, security, and compliance features within Microsoft Purview.
- Proven delivery of multiple modern SharePoint Online intranet solutions, covering hub site strategy, information architecture, and adoption planning.
- Delivery of advanced SharePoint solutions, including document management solutions, automation and AI.
- Experience of planning and enabling SharePoint migration initiatives.
- Ability to define and implement governance frameworks across Microsoft 365, including document workflows, lifecycle, security and secure collaboration.
- Strong presentation and communication skills, with confidence presenting to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to translate business requirements into scalable, secure, and user-centric solutions.
- High standard of written documentation and solution design.
More About You
- Excellent communication skills, including being able to communicate technical ideas to non-technical audiences.
- Proven ability to engage with senior business stakeholders.
- Track record of being able to produce clear and concise design documentation and reports.
- Confidence in creating and delivering presentations to both remote and in-person audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
- One or more of the following Microsoft certifications is considered advantageous:
- MS-102 (Microsoft 365 Administrator)
- MS-700 (Managing Microsoft Teams)
- SC-401 (Administering Information Security in Microsoft 365)
- PL-900 (Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals)
What’s in it for you?
Your Benefits at Chess: We care about your health, wellbeing, and career. Here’s what you’ll enjoy:
- Private healthcare (free after 1 year)
- Eye tests, flu jabs, and on-site health checks
- Mental health support from trained First Aiders
- A Wellbeing Day after 1 year
- Half-Day Fridays—start your weekend early!
- Hybrid working support with a home office allowance
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Buy or sell up to 5 holidays twice a year
- Perkbox discounts on shopping, travel, fitness, and more
- Points-based rewards from year 2
- Charity donation matching (up to £100)
- Recognition platform to celebrate your wins
- EE SIM offers for you and your family
- £1000 referral bonus
- Learn 2 Earn scheme to boost your salary
- Team socials and celebrations
- Bespoke onboarding and leadership training
- Dedicated Culture Team to support you
Working Hours & Location
A standard week is 37½ Monday to Friday. Flexible, hybrid position with a home-first working policy. Allowing you to enjoy the flexibility of working from home whilst also having the option to work from one of our many local hubs spread throughout the UK. Ad-hoc travel to offices within the group and other locations may be required on occasion.
Why Join Chess?
Chess is one of the UK's leading independent and trusted technology service providers, employing over 280 skilled people across the UK, supporting over 18,000 UK businesses. Diversity, equality, and inclusion is at the heart of our Chess culture, and we are passionate about our One Team spirit. We’re extremely proud that our people voted us No.1 in 'The 100 Best Companies to Work for' list 2018, and we continue to celebrate more than 17 years in the top 100. Our continued focus on growth creates opportunity for everyone to progress their career, to develop knowledge and skills, to gain reward and recognition and to maximise their potential. The growth and success of our people ensures the growth and success of our business.
Equal Opportunities Statement
At Chess ICT, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workforce. We want to make sure everyone has a fair chance and opportunity throughout the application process. If you require any adjustments during your application or interview, please feel comfortable reaching out to our recruitment team so we can support you. We believe that "if you're not growing, we're not growing."
Lead Consultant employer: Chess Limited
Chess Limited in Wilmslow is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a vibrant work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation, employees benefit from private healthcare and flexible hybrid working arrangements, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in sales. The company’s commitment to nurturing talent ensures that team members have ample opportunities for advancement while contributing to exciting projects in cutting-edge service areas like Cybersecurity and Data.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Consultant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or attend industry events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your expertise in Microsoft 365. Be ready to discuss how you've driven adoption and delivered successful projects in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings—create opportunities! Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Chess, and express your interest in contributing to their success with your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Consultant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Consultant role. Highlight your experience with Microsoft 365 and how it aligns with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical skills and leadership experience. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to drive adoption of Microsoft 365 features and lead successful projects. We love a good story!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for high-quality proposals, so clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chess Limited
✨Know Your Microsoft 365 Inside Out
As a Lead Consultant, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in Microsoft 365. Brush up on the latest features, especially those related to AI-driven productivity and security. Be ready to discuss how these capabilities can align with business goals and enhance user adoption.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to lead design workshops. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully guided clients through complex technical solutions or improved their digital workplace strategies.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You'll be engaging with both technical and non-technical audiences, so practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Prepare to present your ideas clearly and confidently, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your ability to engage senior stakeholders.
✨Bring Your Own Ideas for Innovation
The role involves continuous improvement and innovation, so come prepared with suggestions on how to leverage new Microsoft 365 features. Discuss any trends you've identified and how they could benefit the company and its clients, showcasing your proactive approach to personal development.
