At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and presentation of impactful IT solutions for schools and trusts.
- Company: Join a mission-driven company focused on enhancing education through technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on mentoring and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education by shaping solutions that improve teaching and learning.
- Qualifications: Experience in designing multi-technology solutions and exceptional communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced solutions consultant or architect who can confidently present to school and trust leadership, translate complex IT into plain English, and shape solutions that genuinely improve teaching and learning? If you love both the technical detail and the bigger picture impact on young people’s lives, this could be the role for you.
About the role
As a Senior Solutions Consultant, you will lead the discovery, design, and presentation of IT solutions for schools and multi‑academy trusts, covering networks, cloud, identity, security, and managed services. You will own medium to large opportunities, such as multi‑site network and cloud transformations or trust‑wide managed services, ensuring they are robust, deliverable, and aligned to education‑sector standards. You will be a key technical voice in customer meetings, bid responses, and solution reviews, working closely with Sales, Implementation, and Service teams to ensure what we propose is both technically sound and operationally realistic.
Key responsibilities
- Lead technical discovery with schools and trusts, including stakeholder workshops, site assessments, and requirements gathering.
- Design end‑to‑end architectures across network, server/virtualisation, Microsoft 365/Azure, Google Workspace, and security, using reference architectures and DfE/NCSC guidance as guardrails.
- Produce clear, high‑quality proposal content (solution overviews, diagrams, statements of work, scope/assumptions, responsibilities, acceptance criteria).
- Present and defend solutions to SLT, governors, and trust leadership, adjusting your language for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Support bids and tenders, ensuring our technical responses are compelling, compliant, and commercially balanced.
- Collaborate with Implementation and Operations leaders to validate feasibility, effort, and risk, and to shape migration, rollout, and handover approaches.
- Mentor and coach more junior members of the Solutions team in discovery, design quality, and presentation skills.
- Capture lessons learned from live projects and services and feed these back into design patterns, templates, and standard offerings.
Technologies you’ll design with
- Networking & Connectivity: Campus and edge networking, Enterprise Wi‑Fi, and perimeter security (HPE Aruba, Cisco, Firewalls).
- Identity & Cloud Productivity: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Active Directory, and Azure AD / Entra ID.
- Platforms & Virtualisation: Windows Server, Hyper‑V, VMware, and Apple platform management.
- Endpoint Management: SCCM, Intune, and Google Endpoint Management.
- Security & Safeguarding: Web filtering, safeguarding platforms (DfE/KCSIE compliant), and secure remote access (VPN, RDS).
- Storage & Resilience: Enterprise storage (SAN/NAS) and backup/DR platforms like Redstor.
What we’re looking for
- Significant experience in an MSP or similar environment, designing and/or delivering multi‑technology solutions (network, cloud, identity, security).
- Strong architecture capability: comfortable working with reference architectures, design principles, and end‑to‑end solutions spanning infrastructure and cloud.
- Exceptional presentation and communication skills, with a proven ability to present confidently to SLT and senior stakeholders, explain concepts to non‑technical audiences, and dive into technical detail with IT managers.
- Demonstrable experience in presales or bid support, including shaping solutions for RFPs/tenders and collaborating with sales/finance on pricing.
- Strong documentation skills: concise proposals, clear diagrams, and structured statements of work.
- A proactive, collaborative approach, comfortable owning opportunities end‑to‑end while working as part of a wider “one team”.
Nice to have: Previous experience working in or closely aligned to the education sector (understanding NCSC/DfE standards). If not, your ability to understand educational outcomes and translate them into effective IT solutions is what counts.
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 using your architecture and presentation skills to make a tangible difference in education, this is the role for you.
Senior Solutions Consultant in Manchester employer: Dataspire Solutions
At Dataspire Solutions, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a structured development framework, hybrid working options, and a commitment to mental health, our Manchester-based team thrives in an environment where innovative IT solutions directly impact education. Join us to make a meaningful difference while enjoying generous benefits like 32 days of holiday and opportunities for career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Solutions Consultant in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their values, recent projects, and any news related to them. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your presentation skills! Since you'll be presenting to school leadership, make sure you can explain complex IT concepts in simple terms. Try rehearsing with friends or family to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet people from the education sector. Building connections can lead to valuable insights and even job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Solutions Consultant in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in designing and delivering multi-technology solutions. Use the job description as a guide to showcase how your skills align with what we're looking for.
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be presenting to various stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your exceptional presentation and communication skills in your written application. Use clear language and avoid jargon to show you can translate complex IT into plain English.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to mention any previous experience in the education sector or similar environments. If you have insights into educational outcomes, make sure to weave that into your application to show us you understand the impact of your work.
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:While we want to see your personality shine through, remember to maintain a professional tone. Use structured proposals and clear diagrams if applicable, as this reflects your strong documentation skills and attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dataspire Solutions
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research the school or trust you'll be presenting to. Understand their specific challenges and goals in education technology. Tailoring your presentation to address their needs will show that you can translate complex IT into plain English and genuinely improve teaching and learning.
✨Master the Technical Details
Brush up on the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Microsoft 365, Azure, and networking solutions. Be prepared to discuss how these can be applied in an educational context. Showing your technical prowess will help you gain credibility with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
Since you'll be presenting to senior leadership teams, practice explaining your solutions clearly and confidently. Use diagrams and proposal content to support your points. The ability to adjust your language for different audiences is crucial, so consider doing mock presentations with friends or colleagues.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Emphasise your experience working with cross-functional teams, especially in presales or bid support. Share examples of how you've collaborated with sales, implementation, and service teams to shape solutions. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and ability to own opportunities end-to-end while being part of a 'one team' mentality.
