Role: Solution Architect Industry: IT Managed ServicesSector: Education Salary: up to £80,000 depending on experience eLocation: South of England / London
I'm working with a well-established, fast-growing MSP that specialises in delivering IT services into the education sector - some of the UK's most recognised independent schools, colleges and academies.
They're expanding their technical leadership team and looking for a Solution Architect to own the design of complex IT projects across their client base.
If you love the design side of the job - the part where you take a messy brief, walk a site, talk to the people who'll actually use it, and turn it into a design that's elegant on paper and bulletproof in delivery - this is the one.
What you'll be doing
* Owning the technical design of complex infrastructure, cloud, network and security projects.* Producing High-Level Designs (HLDs) and Low-Level Designs (LLDs) that engineering teams can build to with confidence.* Partnering with Account Managers and Project Managers on scoping, proposals, and statements of work.* Acting as the technical authority in client meetings - building trust with IT Directors, Bursars and Heads.* Providing design governance and mentoring Project Engineers as they grow.* Building out reusable reference architectures and education-sector design standards.
What we're looking for
* A proven Solution Architect, Principal Engineer or senior Project Engineer with real HLD/LLD experience.* MSP background strongly preferred - you understand the rhythm of project-led delivery across multiple clients.* Deep Microsoft stack: M365, Azure, Entra ID, Intune, Windows Server, AD, Exchange.* Strong virtualisation (Hyper-V / VMware) and networking (VLANs, firewalls, wireless).* Solid grounding in cyber security, backup, and BC/DR design.* Excellent technical writing - your documents are the deliverable.* Education-sector experience is a real plus, but strong MSP architects from complex multi-site SME environments will absolutely be considered.
Why this one* Part of a larger group - 200+ technologists across multiple UK and Ireland offices.* Microsoft Solutions Partner with strong vendor relationships.* 15+ years specialising in education - working with the country's most respected schools.* Growing fast, investing heavily, and genuinely people-first.* Hybrid working, real progression, and a culture where good work gets recognised.Interested?
Drop me a DM or send your CV across for a confidential chat - happy to share more detail on the business once we're talking.