Solution Architect - Pre Sales
Methods, United Kingdom
Job Description
Job Title Solutions Architect
Reporting to Director of Change amp; Innovation
Job Type Permanent, full time, with travel around the UK as required
Location Home based
Methods Business and Digital Technology Limited
Methods is an established 85m professional services organisation, which over the last 30 years has provided a range of innovative business and digital technology services, primarily to organisations in the UK public sector. We have over 50 active clients many of which have been working with us for more than 10 years. Public sector clients represent 95% of turnover.
We focus on making a demonstrable positive difference to the Public Sector, generally through the experience of our people and the use of appropriate information technology and data. People, technology and data are at the heart of who we are and deploying these to public good is what we believe in. We work to enable the public sector to function better: for both those who work in it and citizens who interact with it, at all levels.
The Solutions Consultant will be expected to work as part of the Change and Innovation Portfolio, working closely with the Sales team and Portfolio Directors. They will be responsible for supporting the design of new solutions and value propositions in response to customer requirements, emerging technologies or analysis of market trends. They are responsible for the design and development of new solutions and services, creating compelling proposals that meet customers’ needs and solve business problem and support the development to new portfolio offerings.
The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years’ experience of working in digital transformation, technology consultancy, presales or professional services, with expertise in solution design, customer engagement and bid writing. They will have experience of IT Service Management and technology transformation and broad understanding of the UK public services landscape, with a detailed understanding of a specific sector. In addition to technology and solutioning skills, they will have a broad understanding of emerging technologies and how innovation can benefit the delivery of improved public services.
The role will be home based and will include some work on client sites. It is expected that the Solutions Consultant will quickly acquire a detailed understanding of Methods Portfolio offering and develop a set of skills, competencies and knowledge to operate effectively within their role.
The Solutions Consultant will have the following responsibilities:
- Works closely with the sales team and portfolio leads to understand and clarify customers’ needs and business problems and design appropriate solutions
- Lead on solution development, working collaboratively with the bid team and portfolio leads in preparing and reviewing proposals
- Developing proposed solutions, demonstrating technical feasibility, producing estimates of cost and risk and initial project plans to inform sales proposals
- Provide sales support, with responsibility for the technical content of bids and sales proposals
- Keep up to date with sector and technology trends, routinely contributing to the knowledge base
- Provide relevant solution consulting support in marketing events/ conferences including presenting
- 5 + years’ experience working in technology delivery, consultancy, presales or professional services type of role focused on digital transformation and/or IT service management solutions
- Outstanding problem solving and analytical skills, including the ability to create clear observations, analysis and conclusions based on customer interviews, published requirements and data
- Ability to quickly understanding customer needs and develop appropriate solutions
- Balance of business and technology acumen, including ability to articulate high-level technical solutions to business problems
- Experience of working within a fast-paced and complex business setting, with proven prioritisation skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to confidently present complex solutions and explain technical ideas and concepts in a clear and simple manner to key stakeholders and clients (including technical and non-technical audience)
- Keep up-to-date with latest technology trends, developing the business’s data science function as a result
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Experience of working with Sales and Bid teams
- Experience of a range of programme and project management methodologies including waterfall and agile approaches
- Expertise in engaging with digital and multi-channel technology solutions, covering all layers of the technology stack, from presentation through to physical infrast