At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deliver tech solutions for schools and Multi-Academy Trusts across the UK.
- Company: Fast-growing UK tech group with a strong reputation in the education sector.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, excellent progression opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a proven track record of employee retention and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education by improving IT solutions and user experiences.
- Qualifications: Senior IT experience in education and strong technical knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Location: Hybrid, with travel to education sites across the UK
Working pattern: 2 to 3 days per week from home
Role type: Permanent
About the company
Our client is a fast-growing UK technology group providing managed IT services, cloud, infrastructure, cyber security, communications, and business technology solutions. The business has a strong reputation within the education sector, supporting schools, academies, and Multi-Academy Trusts with secure, scalable, and reliable IT solutions.
The role
We are looking for an experienced and technically strong Education Solutions Consultant to design, scope, and support the delivery of technology solutions for schools and Multi-Academy Trusts across the UK. This is a senior technical role sitting between consultancy, pre-sales, solution design, and delivery oversight. It is not purely pre-sales and not purely hands-on delivery. You will take ownership of the technical solution from discovery and design through to high-level delivery oversight and technical sign-off.
The successful candidate will ideally have held a senior IT role within education, such as IT Manager, Network Manager, Senior Network Manager, Head of IT, or Education IT Consultant. You will understand how IT operates within schools, academies, or trusts, and be confident engaging with senior stakeholders, internal technical teams, and customers. The role is hybrid, with 2 to 3 days per week from home. You will need a full UK driving licence, access to your own car, and the ability to travel to different education sites across the UK.
Key responsibilities
- Design technical solutions for schools, academies, and Multi-Academy Trusts
- Lead technical discovery sessions with customers and stakeholders
- Review existing customer environments and provide roadmap recommendations
- Produce high-level solution designs, implementation scopes, and technical recommendations
- Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, supportable, and commercially viable
- Align solutions with DfE Digital and Technology Standards, Cyber Essentials, GDPR, safeguarding considerations, and security best practice
- Support Sales and Account Management teams with tenders, bids, workshops, presentations, and technical discussions
- Translate customer requirements into deliverable technical solutions
- Assist with technical quotations and bill of materials
- Provide high-level oversight during implementation projects
- Work with Project Engineers and Project Managers to ensure technical delivery quality
- Act as an escalation point for complex deployments
- Perform technical sign-off on completed solutions
- Ensure solutions can be supported by Service Desk and Managed Services teams
- Produce and maintain solution designs, network diagrams, migration plans, technical standards, and implementation documentation
Skills and experience required
- Previous senior IT experience within the education sector
- Background as an IT Manager, Network Manager, Senior Network Manager, Head of IT, Education IT Consultant, or similar
- Strong understanding of school, academy, or Multi-Academy Trust IT environments
- Experience designing, managing, or improving IT solutions across education sites
- Strong technical knowledge across networking, infrastructure, cloud, security, and end-user computing
- Good knowledge of Microsoft 365, Azure, Active Directory, Intune, Windows Server, networking, firewalls, wireless, switches, VLANs, and site connectivity
- Understanding of cyber security requirements within education
- Ability to engage confidently with school leaders, business managers, IT teams, and technical stakeholders
- Experience creating technical documentation, scopes, designs, or project recommendations
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Full UK driving licence, own car, and willingness to travel across the UK
Desirable experience
- Experience working for an education-focused MSP
- Knowledge of DfE Digital and Technology Standards
- Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus knowledge
- Experience supporting tenders, bids, or technical presentations
- Microsoft, networking, cyber security, or cloud certifications
- Experience with cloud migrations, wireless refreshes, server upgrades, security improvements, or wider infrastructure projects
Personal attributes
The successful candidate will be technically strong, consultative, and confident working with education customers. You will understand the pressures and priorities within schools and trusts, and be able to design practical technology solutions that improve reliability, security, and user experience. You will be comfortable speaking with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, explaining recommendations clearly, and taking ownership of the technical solution from discovery through to sign-off.
Why apply?
- Senior education-focused technology consultancy role
- Hybrid working, with 2 to 3 days per week from home
- Opportunity to work with schools, academies, and Multi-Academy Trusts across the UK
- Broad role covering solution design, consultancy, pre-sales, and delivery oversight
- Excellent progression opportunities within a growing UK technology group
Education Solutions Consultant employer: MFK Recruitment
Join a fast-growing UK technology group renowned for its commitment to the education sector, where you will have the opportunity to design and implement innovative IT solutions for schools and Multi-Academy Trusts. With a hybrid working model that allows for 2 to 3 days from home, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and offers excellent progression opportunities, as evidenced by the retention of 31 out of 46 IT professionals placed in the past six years. This role not only provides meaningful engagement with educational institutions but also positions you at the forefront of technology solutions that enhance learning environments across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Solutions Consultant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend education tech events, webinars, or local meetups. It's a great way to connect with potential employers and showcase your expertise in the education sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t just apply; engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out to current employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and get insider tips on the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to education IT solutions. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles and how you can bring value to schools and trusts.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Solutions Consultant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Education Solutions Consultant role. Highlight your relevant experience in the education sector and any technical skills that align with the job description. We want to see how your background fits with what we do!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your experience makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of IT in educational settings, as that’s key for us.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to showcase your technical knowledge, especially around networking, cloud solutions, and security. We’re looking for someone who can confidently engage with stakeholders, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at MFK Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to education IT environments. Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, like Microsoft 365, Azure, and networking concepts. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working closely with senior stakeholders, practice how you would communicate complex technical solutions in a way that's easy for non-technical people to understand. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with school leaders or business managers in the past.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous roles in detail, especially any experience you have as an IT Manager or similar positions within the education sector. Highlight specific projects where you designed or improved IT solutions, and be prepared to explain the impact of your work.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about potential challenges you might face when designing solutions for schools and how you would address them. This will demonstrate your consultative approach and ability to take ownership of technical solutions.
