At AQA were committed to advancing education and were committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and its our people who make this happen.

Functional Consultant (Dynamics 365 / Power Platform)

Manchester:

Guildford: 52439 - 61610
Permanent Full-time
Hybrid (2x days a week in the office)

If youre a confident Dynamics 365 / Power Platform consultant looking for more ownership more meaningful work and fewer layers of red tape this might be for you.

Were looking for someone who can do more than just configure systems. This is a hands-on role that spans the full solution lifecycle: from identifying business needs and designing solutions right through to delivery training and support.

Youll work directly with internal stakeholders across AQA designing and delivering solutions using Dynamics 365 Power Platform and related Microsoft tools ( including Copilot). Youll also play a key role in driving adoption improving processes and mentoring others all while keeping an eye on strategic opportunities.

What youll be doing

• Designing and delivering solutions using Dynamics 365 and Power Platform (low-code/no-code first)
• Managing the full lifecycle of smaller developments from concept through to release and support
• Working with stakeholders to translate business needs into effective scalable solutions
• Acting as technical authority on your portfolio of changes and providing guidance to others
• Supporting users troubleshooting issues and maintaining system integrity
• Championing best practice across change delivery data quality governance and release processes

What youll bring

• Solid experience delivering solutions with Dynamics 365 and Power Platform
• Strong understanding of business process analysis and solution design
• Confidence working directly with stakeholders able to influence challenge and communicate clearly
• A pragmatic delivery-focused mindset able to balance pace with quality
• A collaborative approach able to mentor others and contribute to a strong team culture

Whats in it for you:

At AQA we recognise our employees contribution and in return we are proud to offer an extensive reward and benefit package. This includes:

• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days with service plus all Bank Holidays and additional Christmas office closure
• Flexible working environment and professional and personal development at your fingertips.
• 35 hour working week
• Excellent contributory pension (6% - 11.5% dependent on employee contribution)
• Life assurance BUPA PMI and Health Cash Plan
• Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme

Ready to apply
Click below to apply before Midnight on Monday 4th August.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview.

AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyoneregardless of religion ethnicity gender identity or expression age disability sexual orientation or backgroundis valued respected and supported to thrive.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

Purpose: Working across AQA the Functional Consultant plays a key role in designing developing and supporting business solutions based on the Microsoft Power Platform Dynamics 365.
They work with stakeholders to identify business requirements and apply in-depth technical knowledge of the Power Platform Dynamics and broader product toolset to design deliver and support creative solutions to automate and improve existing or new business processes delivering best practice : The Functional Consultant reports into a Senior Functional Consultant and manages the full lifecycle of smaller developments from design to delivery as well as providing support to the wider team on larger developments. They work closely with stakeholders across AQA to build an in-depth knowledge of business needs in order to recommend effective IT solutions using Dynamics 365 Power Platform and related applications including copilot. These solutions address both immediate business needs for our customers and the longer-term roadmap. As the key technical authority for the smaller developments the Functional Consultant owns and drives a core change portfolio.

The role also performs a key role in supporting the system acting as an escalation point for the front line service team and liaising with wider technical teams and system users as required.

Activities:
Collaborates and engages with stakeholders throughout the business to ensure the specification of clear comprehensive sets of requirements aligned to business and customer objectives with clearly defined benefits
Translates defined requirements into best practice solution designs using detailed understanding of the available system functionality
Uses expert knowledge of the Microsoft Dynamics Power Platform and related applications to advocate and engage users/ stakeholders into increased understanding and usage of Power Platform to solve business problems.
Delivers customisation configuration and implementation of Power Platform and similar solutions using low code/ no code first approach to achieve best practice outcomes to address defined strategic and day-to-day business requirements
Project manages a portfolio of changes to the supported systems owns and accountable for the end-to-end delivery of their change portfolio
Acts as technical authority - takes ownership of issues escalated by first line support team and progresses to resolution engaging with external parties (suppliers/ partners) as necessary
Matrix manages resources as required within project delivery (e.g. BAs testers Support Execs) and trains/ mentors other team members on new functionality or technical skills as required
Supports the Senior Functional Consultants with co-ordination of overall team pipeline delivery using appropriate tooling (Azure DevOps)
Manages active engagement of user community and citizen developers within the business
Supports the cost effective use of the systems through understanding of solution cost impact
Ensures adherence to relevant design/ implementation processes change control and release planning/ delivery
Supports and enforces the maintenance of data quality and integrity within the system
Supports and trains end users to use and test the system in the most effective way
Supports assessment of new release functionality to understand potential impacts (risks) and technical opportunities
Stays abreast of industry trends and Microsoft updates utilising this knowledge to provide strategic insights for the technology roadmap
Maintains strong professional relationships with key internal and external vendor partners
Actively supports the application maintenance to ensure systems remain efficient effective and streamlined
Deputises for Senior Functional Consultants when required
Demonstrates commercial flexibility by undertaking other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level as business needs change
Ensures AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQAs policies and other legislative/ regulatory requirements. Proactively manages relevant risks accordingly
Adopts a continuous improvement approach to ensure the ongoing optimisation of the solutions and service being delivered to the business


To be successful in this role you will need to know:
Experienced Dynamics 365 Power Platform professional who has a strong understanding and hands on experience of building solutions
Excellent communicator able to collaborate challenge and influence effectively with stakeholders and partners regardless of level or technical competence to achieve desired outcomes and drive change.
Analytical skills with demonstrable track record of interpreting high level business needs (using process analysis techniques) and turning them into defined solutions with precise technical specifications
Proven ability to manage issues risks and problems from identification through to resolution
Project management skills with experience of delivery using standard methodologies
Strong understanding of how to apply Power Platform and similar tools to solve business problems. Able to demonstrate senior stakeholder influencing skills
Change oriented and innovative able to inspire others to change existing processes through the application of appropriate technology
Proven track record of change delivery on Dynamics/ Power Platform to improve customer experience and process efficiency in line with best practice
Good understanding and experience of standard software development methodology (including Agile) and tooling (preferably Azure DevOps)
In depth knowledge of Dynamics 365 the Power Platform copilot and similar products and an understanding of how they fit into the wider Azure environment
Strong understanding of relevant data management principles and their effective application to software
Agile and resilient able to make pragmatic decisions and deliver at pace
Solid understanding of project methodologies and ITIL principles (certification desirable)
Microsoft Professional certification desirable willingness to learn and maintain knowledge of upcoming functionality is key
Experienced in driving change pragmatically in a complex organisation through cross-organisational working and collaboration
Have a step up mindset use sound judgment and take accountability for actions
Team player able to mentor motivate and train others