Simpson Associates transforms raw data into actionable insights that drive positive change.
Our Microsoft data expertise, our specialist sector knowledge, plus our innovative and trusted advice and guidance are just some of the reasons clients choose to work with us.
Our mission is to help purpose-led organisations from within the public and private sectors to harness data as a lever for change and enable them to realise business value more quickly. We provide the full range of services to support organisations on their data transformation journey. From advisory support and data strategy, to developing Data & AI solutions, right through to providing a range of managed services.
We are a Microsoft Solutions Partner, holding Specialisations in AI Platform on Microsoft Azure, Analytics on Microsoft Azure, Data Warehouse Migration to Microsoft Azure and Migrate Enterprise Applications to Microsoft Azure, as well as holding Solutions Partner designations in Data & AI (Azure); Digital & App Innovation (Azure); Infrastructure (Azure) and Security
.But it's not just about the badges. We are proud to be recognised as the winner of the 2024 Microsoft Community Response Partner of the Year award, reflecting our dedication to using technology for positive change. We are also a Databricks partner, and an IBM Gold Partner, specialising in Cognos Analytics and Planning Analytics
.
With offices in York and Sheffield, and a team based throughout the UK – we champion creativity, innovation and collaboration in the workplac
**e.
The R**
oleThe Principal Consultants are the primary contact between us and the customer in as much as they provide assurance to the customer that we are capable of providing a solution to their business problem. Whilst the Account Manager has a key role, the Principal Consultant is the person that the customer sees providing designs that comprehensively address the needs and, perhaps most crucially, responding to change and issues calmly and coherent
ly.
Our Principal Consultants deliver data strategy work, engaging with the customer to understand their data maturity, defining a road map and supporting business case creation. A Principal Consultant is expected to support a team of consultants delivering a project, often delegating to and supporting a Lead Consultant with the full life cycle deliv
**ery.
Key Responsibi**
litiesTechnical Expertise and De
* liveryLead full Lifecycle of Analytics Projects from design, estimation and implementation from a technical and quality assurance perspe
* ctive.Gather project requirements through situation assessments, workshops, or inter
* views.Produce clear and accurate Initiation Packs, Functional Specifications, Technical Specifications, or Situation Assess
* ments.Establish and maintain standards for technical design documentation within your specialist
* area.Select and apply appropriate documentation formats based on project needs (e.g. process flows, ERDs, test plans, data mapp
**ings).
Project Accountability and Esc**
* alationHold overall accountability for the delivery of client projects, either with direct ownership or acting as an escalation point for
* others.Oversee multiple projects concurrently, providing guidance and leadership to the delivery
* teams.Provide leadership on project governance and technical execution, ensuring that the technical approach delivers to best pr
* actice.Ensure project estimates include sufficient time for full project management responsibi
* lities.Monitor and report on project progress, risks, and surrounding c
* ontext.Apply Agile principles to plan and manage proactively and in line with agreed methodo
**logies.
Stakeholder En**
* gagementManage client relationships and handle challenging conversations confidently but with sens
* itivity.Maintain strong connections with the customer, project team, and internal stake
* holders.Use appropriate levers to drive project outcomes while maintaining quality, time, and cost tol
* erances.Work with the Sales and Pre-Sales teams to reflect complex and/or larger project requirements in terms of estimates for work outlining both the effort and anticipated d
* uration.Provide development support alongside other project team
* members.Mentor junior team members and contribute to their professional
* growth.Support the Graduate Recruitment and Development Pr
**ogramme.
Skills and Attributes**
RequiredA Principal Consultant will have a broad awareness relative to their field but within the context of our business. They w
* ill have:Recognised industry expertise, with the ability to apply and share this k
* nowledge.Proven experience in a consultancy environment at a similar level, or with readiness to step up to th
* is level.Confidence and experience in public speaking, with an interest in contributing to the wider data c
* ommunity.Project or programme management experience, with formal accreditations (Agile, Prince2 Practitioner) desirable but not
* required.Product vendor certification where i
* t exists.A genuine passion for technology, with an awareness of trends and best practice in the
* ir field.Proactive in ensuring that they are aware of changes in the
**ir field.
Technical Co**
* mpetenciesIt is expected that Principal Consultants will be technically excellent in their technologies and products. The exact technical skills will be agreed with the Principal Consultant as part of their objectives and career de
* velopment.
A Data Principal Consultant will have experience of multiple technologies ranging from Microsoft on-premises technology through to the cloud. This is likely to include Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft PowerBI and ETL tools such as SSIS. Experience in Databricks is also desirable, and there is a core expectation that you will develop your technical knowledge as the landsca
* pe changes.
The successful candidate will be required to obtain Security Clearance and N
PPV Level 3.