At a Glance
- Tasks: Design impactful IT solutions for the education sector and lead technical discovery.
- Company: Dataspire, a Manchester-based education IT managed services company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and commitment to mental health support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with a focus on collaboration and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education by translating tech into tangible solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT infrastructure design and strong customer-facing skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 59000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid (Home/Head Office)
Salary: £50,000 – £59,000
Are you a proactive presales engineer or technical consultant who enjoys translating complex IT requirements into robust, deliverable solutions? If you want to design infrastructure that genuinely improves teaching and learning, and see your solutions make a tangible impact on the education sector, this could be the role for you.
About the role
As a Solutions Consultant, you will act as the technical bridge between our customers' educational goals and Dataspire’s IT solutions. You will lead technical discovery and design end-to-end solutions covering networks, cloud platforms, security, and devices for small and medium-scale bids. You will work directly with customers and internal teams to ensure your designs are technically sound, commercially viable, and perfectly aligned with education standards. You will be a key voice in customer meetings, working closely with Sales and Implementation to ensure a smooth transition from proposal to live service.
Key responsibilities
- Lead technical discovery, requirements gathering, and scoping, including site assessments and stakeholder workshops in schools and trusts.
- Design end-to-end solutions covering networks, cloud platforms (Microsoft 365/Google Workspace), security, and devices, using Dataspire reference architectures and DfE/NCSC guidance.
- Produce high-quality proposal content, including solution overviews, architectures, scope boundaries, and implementation approaches.
- Work with Sales and Finance to size, price, and package solutions, balancing commercial constraints with future scalability.
- Present solutions to customers in formal meetings, adjusting your language to engage both technical IT Managers and non-technical school leadership.
- Collaborate with the Implementation team to validate deliverability, create transition plans, and agree on clear acceptance criteria.
- Capture lessons learned from delivered projects, updating our design patterns, templates, and standard offerings.
Technologies you'll work with
- Networking & Connectivity: Campus and edge networking, Enterprise Wi-Fi, and perimeter security (HPE Aruba, Cisco, Firewalls).
- Platforms & Virtualisation: Windows Server, Hyper-V, VMware, and Apple platform management.
- Identity & Cloud: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Active Directory, and Azure AD / Entra ID.
- Endpoint Management: SCCM, Intune, and Google Endpoint Management.
- Security & Safeguarding: Web filtering, safeguarding platforms (DfE/KCSIE compliant), and secure remote access (VPN, RDS).
- Storage & Backup: Enterprise storage (SAN/NAS) and backup platforms like Redstor.
What we’re looking for
- Experience in an MSP or similar environment, delivering or designing infrastructure (networks, servers/virtualisation, Microsoft 365/Azure, security).
- Strong ability to translate business and educational outcomes into clear technical designs and requirements.
- Confidence in customer-facing roles, with a proven ability to run workshops, demos, and solution walkthroughs.
- Strong documentation skills: capable of writing clear proposals, assumptions, and scope boundaries.
- A collaborative approach: comfortable working alongside Sales and Implementation as part of a "One Team" ethos.
- Nice to have: An education background (or experience working in or designing IT solutions for schools or MATs). What matters most is your ability to apply IT best practices to educational environments.
About Dataspire Solutions
Dataspire is a Manchester-based education IT managed services company, delivering a broad portfolio of services spanning managed IT, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, connectivity, and large-scale ICT projects for new school builds and major refurbishments. We have completed more than 120 DfE-funded projects, reflecting our expertise and the depth of our experience in the education sector. We are proud to be 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.
How to Apply
If you have the experience, focus, and capability this role demands, we want to hear from you. Please send your CV and a covering note outlining your suitability to .
Dataspire is a Mental Health at Work Committed organisation and a Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to an inclusive recruitment process.
Solutions Consultant in Bolton employer: Dataspire Solutions
Contact Detail:
Dataspire Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Solutions Consultant in Bolton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Dataspire's projects and values, especially their focus on education. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Solutions Consultant. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate your ability to translate complex IT needs into effective solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. This can give you insider insights and potentially a foot in the door when applying through our website.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for those customer-facing scenarios! Think about how you would engage both technical and non-technical audiences. Practising this will help you feel more confident during interviews and presentations.
We think you need these skills to ace Solutions Consultant in Bolton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Solutions Consultant role. Highlight your experience in designing IT solutions and working in educational environments to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about improving education through technology. Share specific examples of how you've translated complex requirements into effective solutions in the past.
Showcase Your Documentation Skills: Since strong documentation is key for this role, include examples of proposals or technical documents you've created. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
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’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dataspire Solutions
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and networking solutions. Brush up on how these can be applied in educational settings, as you'll need to demonstrate your ability to translate complex IT requirements into practical solutions.
✨Prepare for Customer-Facing Scenarios
Since this role involves direct interaction with customers, practice how you would present technical solutions to both IT managers and non-technical school leadership. Role-play these scenarios with a friend or colleague to build your confidence and ensure you can adjust your language accordingly.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience working in teams, especially in a 'One Team' ethos. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with sales and implementation teams in the past to deliver successful projects. This will show that you understand the importance of teamwork in achieving customer satisfaction.
✨Bring Examples of Your Work
Prepare to share specific examples of previous projects where you designed or implemented IT solutions. Focus on how these solutions improved educational outcomes, as this aligns perfectly with what Dataspire is looking for. Use these examples to illustrate your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.