Senior Data Consultant | Higher Education | Outside IR35 at IO Associates, England, £Contract Rate

Outside IR35 | Remote | UK Higher Education

Some data projects are about delivering reports.

This isn't one of them.

We're working with a specialist consultancy supporting UK Higher Education clients through complex digital and data transformation programmes. They're looking for an experienced consultant who can provide technical leadership, shape data strategy and work alongside clients to make the right architectural decisions from day one.

You'll be brought in as a trusted advisor, helping universities define their future data and reporting architecture, improve data quality and guide large-scale migration programmes. Rather than simply delivering the technical work, you'll be the person asking the right questions, challenging approaches where needed and ensuring solutions are designed to last.

This is a hands-on consultancy role where you'll work closely with senior stakeholders, technical teams and implementation partners, helping bridge the gap between business objectives and technical delivery.

You'll need a strong understanding of modern Microsoft data platforms, with experience across Microsoft Fabric, OneLake, data warehousing, data modelling and migration strategy. Previous experience within UK Higher Education is essential, ideally with exposure to Student Information Systems such as Tribal SITS.

If you've previously led data transformation programmes, influenced architecture decisions and enjoy solving complex challenges rather than simply delivering against a specification, we'd love to hear from you.

• Shaping future data and reporting architecture
• Providing technical leadership to clients and delivery partners
• Defining canonical data models and data standards
• Leading conversations around data quality and remediation
• Supporting data migration strategy and source-to-target mapping
• Working with senior stakeholders to deliver pragmatic, long-term solutions

• UK Higher Education experience
• Microsoft Fabric and modern data platform expertise
• Strong understanding of data architecture, modelling and warehousing
• Experience supporting large-scale data transformation or migration programmes
• Confident working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Outside IR35 | Fully Remote | Immediate Start