Senior Solutions Consultant

Location: Clifton

About the role As a Senior Solutions Consultant (Solutions Architect), you will lead the discovery, design and presentation of complex, strategic and multi-site opportunities including MAT-wide work and non-standard designs. Your solutions will span the full technology stack including network, cloud, identity, endpoint, backup, security, safeguarding, compliance and operational monitoring. You will be a key technical voice in customer meetings, bid responses, solution reviews and framework opportunities working closely with Sales, Implementation Services and Systems Operations to ensure what we propose is technically sound, commercially realistic and operationally supportable.

Key responsibilities Lead complex discovery across multiple schools, sites, stakeholders or technical domains. Design end-to-end solutions spanning networks, cloud, identity, endpoint, backup, security, safeguarding, compliance and operational monitoring using reference architectures and DfE, NCSC and KCSIE guardrails. Produce and defend high-quality proposal content including solution overviews, HLDs, diagrams, SOWs, scope, assumptions, responsibilities and acceptance criteria. Present recommendations confidently to SLTs, governors, trust leaders and technical steering groups adjusting language for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Peer review proposals, SOWs, assumptions and solution designs produced by Associate and Solutions Consultants. Identify design risk, delivery risk, operational risk and commercial risk early and challenge constructively. Support strategic bids, tenders, framework opportunities and high-value projects ensuring responses are compelling, compliant and commercially balanced. Collaborate with Implementation Services and Systems Operations leaders to validate feasibility, effort, migration approach and operational readiness.

Capture reusable design patterns and challenge one-off bespoke approaches feeding improvements into standards, templates and the solutions catalogue. Mentor and coach Associate and Solutions Consultants in discovery, design quality, documentation and presentation skills. Technologies you'll design 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, vCenter), Dell EMC, HPE Pro Liant. Collaboration and productivity:
Microsoft 365, Google Workspace for Education. Identity and directory services:
Active Directory, Azure AD, Entra , IAM Cloud. Endpoint management:
Autopilot, SCCM, Intune, Google Endpoint Management, JAMF, Lightspeed, MDM. Apple platform management: macOS, iPadOS, iOS, JAMF. Storage and backup: SAN, NAS, S2D, Redstor. Remote access and voice: RDS, VPN, 3CX, Microsoft Teams. Security, filtering and safeguarding:
DfE, Cyber Essentials and KCSIE-aligned platforms. What we're looking for Strong consulting experience in complex infrastructure, cloud, network or education technology environments, ideally within an MSP. Strong architecture capability. Comfortable working with reference architectures, design principles and end-to-end solutions spanning infrastructure and cloud. Broad technical awareness with depth in at least one major domain (network, cloud, identity, security or endpoint).

Exceptional presentation and communication skills. Proven ability to present confidently to SLT and trust leadership, explain concepts to non-technical audiences and go deep with IT managers. Demonstrable presales or bid experience including shaping solutions for RFPs, tenders and framework opportunities alongside sales and finance on pricing. Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage ambiguity. Strong documentation skills. Concise proposals, clear diagrams and structured SOWs.

A proactive, collaborative approach comfortable owning opportunities end-to-end while operating as part of a wider "One Team". Nice to have:
Previous experience working in or closely aligned to the education sector with understanding of NCSC, DfE and KCSIE standards. If not, your ability to understand educational outcomes and…