At a Glance
- Tasks: Design tech solutions for schools, enhancing their IT environments and supporting educational goals.
- Company: Join Dataspire, a leader in creating high-performing technology for education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work, 32 days holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with clear progression paths and a commitment to mental health support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education by designing solutions that empower teachers and students.
- Qualifications: Experience in tech consulting or education technology, with strong communication and documentation skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 79000 £ per year.
Title
Solutions Consultant
Location
Lowry Mill, Lees Street, Manchester, M27 6DB
Working pattern
Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office
Salary
£70,000-£79,000
Hours
Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Reporting to
- Head of Technical Services
- ABOUT DATASPIRE
Dataspire partners with schools and multi-academy trusts to build dependable, high-performing technology environments.
Our work helps schools operate securely and efficiently, while enabling teachers and students to make the most of technology.
We are looking for a Solutions Consultant to design technology solutions that help schools and trusts modernise, secure and improve their IT environments.
You will work directly with customers to understand their needs and develop solutions across networking, cloud services, security, safeguarding, identity, endpoint management and infrastructure platforms.
You will collaborate closely with Sales, Implementation Services and Systems Operations to ensure solutions are technically sound, commercially viable and aligned with education-sector best practice, while supporting customers throughout the design and proposal process.
This is a customer-focused technical consulting role for someone who enjoys understanding business challenges, designing practical technology solutions and helping educational organisations make informed technology decisions that deliver long-term value.
THE ROLE
As a Solutions Consultant, you will act as the technical bridge between our customers’ educational goals and Dataspire’s solutions.
You will lead technical discovery and design end-to-end solutions covering networks, cloud platforms, identity, security, safeguarding, endpoints, backup and management tooling forstandard and moderately complex school or MAT opportunities.
You will work directly with customers and internal teams to ensure your designs are technically sound, commercially viable and perfectly aligned with education-sector standards.
You will collaborate closely with Sales, Implementation Services and Systems Operations to ensure a smooth transition from proposal to live service.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead technical discovery workshops with IT leads, school leaders and internal stakeholders including site assessments and current-state documentation.
- Design end-to-end solutions across networks, wireless, servers, virtualisation, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, identity, security, safeguarding, endpoints, backup and management tooling using Dataspire reference architectures and Df E, NCSC and KCSIE guidance.
- Produce high-quality proposal content including solution overviews, HLDs, scope boundaries, assumptions, acceptance criteria and SOW input.
- Work with Sales and Finance to size, price and package solutions balancing commercial constraints with scalability, supportability and margin.
- Present solution options clearly to both technical audiences and non-technical school leadership.
- Collaborate with Implementation Services before proposal submission to validate deliverability, effort and sequencing.
- Ensure Systems Operations considerations (monitoring, backup, patching, security operations) are included in every design.
- Maintain and improve the solutions knowledge base, design patterns, templates and handover packs.
- Capture lessons learned from delivered projects and feed improvements back into standards.
- TECHNOLOGIES YOU’LL WORK WITH
- Network and connectivity: HPE Aruba, Cisco Meraki, Ubiquiti.
- Perimeter and edge security: Smoothwall, Securly, Barracuda, Fortinet.
- Servers and virtualisation: Microsoft Windows Server, Hyper-V, VMware (ESXi, v Center), Dell EMC, HPE Pro Liant.
- Collaboration and productivity: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace for Education.
- Identity and directory services: Active Directory, Azure AD, Entra ID, IAM Cloud.
- Storage and backup: SAN, NAS, S2D, Redstor.
- Remote access and voice: RDS, VPN, 3CX, Microsoft Teams.
- Security, filtering and safeguarding: Df E, Cyber Essentials and KCSIE-aligned platforms.
- WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- Experience in an MSP, education technology, infrastructure delivery or technical consulting environment.
- Ability to translate business and educational outcomes into clear technical designs.
- Good breadth across networking, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Intune, Windows Server, backup, security, wireless or endpoint management.
- Confidence leading customer conversations, running workshops, demos and solution walkthroughs.
- Strong documentation skills. Clear proposals, assumptions and scope boundaries.
- A collaborative “One Team” approach working alongside Sales, Implementation Services and Systems Operations.
Nice to have: An education-sector background or experience designing IT solutions for schools or MATs.
What matters most is your ability to apply IT best practices to educational environments.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Normal hours of work of 37.5 per week.
- Hybrid working – 3 days a week in the office.
- 32 days’ holiday each year inclusive of bank holidays. (Increases to 33 after 3 years, 34 after 4 years and 35 after 5 years)
- Additional paid Christmas shutdown day.
- Birthday off.
- On-site parking.
- Optional branded workwear.
- Employee Assistance Programme available to support colleagues with wellbeing, mental health, legal, financial and personal advice.
- DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION
You will benefit from a structured development framework including
- Continuing Professional Development (CPDs) aligned to our financial year.
- Monthly 1:1s.
- Pluralsight licence with ringfenced learning time.
- Vendor-led training where needs identified.
- Clear progression path towards Senior Solutions Consultant by owning larger, riskier or multi-site opportunities and reviewing the work of others.
- WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
Our mission is to create dependable, high-performing IT environments that give teachers confidence in using technology and help young people access outstanding learning experiences.
In this role, every solution you design will directly influence how teachers teach, how students learn and how schools operate safely and efficiently.
If you are motivated by the idea of making a tangible difference in education, this is the role for you.
Dataspire is a Mental Health at Work Committed organisation and a Disability Confident employer.
We are committed to creating a working environment where everyone feels supported, valued and able to perform at their best.
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Solutions Consultant in Manchester employer: Dataspire Solutions Ltd
At Dataspire, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that values innovation and collaboration. Located in the vibrant area of Manchester, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while ensuring our team members have access to continuous professional development and growth opportunities. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the education sector through cutting-edge IT solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solutions Consultant in Manchester
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Dataspire Solutions Ltd values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Dataspire Solutions Ltd might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Dataspire Solutions Ltd!
✨Direct Apply to Dataspire Solutions Ltd
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Dataspire Solutions Ltd website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Solutions Consultant in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Dataspire Solutions Ltd.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Dataspire Solutions Ltd. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dataspire Solutions Ltd
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
