Technical Consultant - Data & AI

Phoenix enables digital transformation across the UK public sector, empowering organisations to innovate with cloud and hybrid infrastructures, data, AI, security and collaboration technologies. We are now hiring a Technical Consultant - Data & AI to join our IT Services team and support the delivery of data, analytics and AI transformation projects for our customers. This role will focus on the discovery, design and delivery of data modernisation and migration projects, helping customers build the foundations required for successful adoption of AI and machine learning technologies. Working across consulting, advisory and technical delivery activities, you will help customers unlock value from their data while supporting large-scale cloud and AI initiatives. What will you be doing? Lead data consulting engagements from discovery through to implementation and handover. Facilitate workshops to understand customer challenges and define appropriate data solutions. Advise customers on enterprise data strategy, governance, data quality and data management best practices. Design and implement data landing zones aligned with Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework principles. Deliver end-to-end data platform projects covering architecture, deployment, configuration and optimisation. Work with Architects and AI specialists to support machine learning and AI initiatives. Support the development of repeatable data and AI delivery frameworks and methodologies. Act as a technical escalation point, supporting colleagues with complex technical challenges. Stay current with developments across Microsoft data technologies, analytics and AI platforms. Support resource planning and skills development activities across the wider practice. Contribute to reusable assets, accelerators, frameworks and reference architectures. Support pre-sales activities including discovery sessions, demonstrations, proposals and customer presentations. Build trusted relationships with customers and provide guidance throughout the project lifecycle. What are we looking for? Strong data engineering, analytics or data platform experience. Experience delivering customer-facing consultancy or professional services engagements. Strong understanding of enterprise data architecture principles. Experience designing and implementing data lakes, data warehouses and lakehouse architectures. Good understanding of data governance, data quality and data management frameworks. Strong SQL skills and experience using Python or PySpark. Experience with Databricks and Microsoft data technologies. Understanding of how modern data platforms support AI and machine learning workloads. Strong workshop facilitation, communication and stakeholder management skills. Excellent technical documentation and technical writing skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Commercial awareness and customer-focused mindset. Ability to balance strategic consulting with hands-on technical delivery. Experience & Qualifications Experience in data engineering, analytics, data platform delivery or similar roles. Strong hands-on experience with Databricks. Experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Factory, Power BI or similar technologies. Familiarity with Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) and landing zone design. Experience deploying and troubleshooting enterprise data platforms. Understanding of Azure infrastructure fundamentals, including networking, identity and security. Experience leading customer workshops, discovery engagements and advisory sessions. Consultancy or professional services background strongly preferred. Public sector experience desirable. Certifications: Databricks certifications desirable. Microsoft certifications such as DP-203, DP-700 or related data certifications desirable. Azure AI and Machine Learning certifications advantageous. Security Clearance: Must hold SC (Security Check) clearance or be eligible and willing to obtain and maintain SC clearance. Candidates already holding active SC clearance will be highly advantageous. Practical stuff Where is the role based? Primary location is our HQ in Pocklington (YO42). What about hybrid/remote working? Hybrid working is supported, with flexibility depending on customer and project requirements. How many interviews? Following a screen with the Recruitment Team, you can expect a two-stage interview process — one online and one in-person. Important BPSS Check As part of our recruitment process and due to the nature of the work we do, all employees are required to undertake a BPSS check. While some employees may require further security clearance, the BPSS check is mandatory and all offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion. Have you made it this far? If you're still reading, we think there's a strong chance you might be our kind of person. Here's the thing, research suggests many women and underrepresented groups don't apply unless they meet every requirement. Even if you don't tick every box above, we encourage you to introduce yourself. We believe a diversity of perspectives and experiences makes a team stronger and the stronger our team, the more successful we will be.