Job Description

Job Introduction

Are you a seasoned Principal SharePoint / Microsoft 365 Specialist ready to make a significant impact? WMCA is undergoing an exciting transformation, and our Digital and Data team is at the heart of this change. We are looking for a motivated expert to help embed governance and compliance best practices across our Microsoft 365 environment and progress our transition from an unstructured digital estate towards well-established information ownership, classification and governance.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment and are eager to shape the future of digital operations, we encourage you to join us and be a key part of our journey!

Please note that this is a 24 month fixed term contract.

What you will be doing.

Set best practice and policies within SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365 provision across Digital and Data and the wider business, creating and maintaining standard operating procedures and technical system documentation as required. Instil a culture of automation across all Cloud and On-Premises workloads, making recommendation of improvements to existing processes and products and working with business teams to achieve this. Work with new and emerging cloud technologies to provide a modern, scalable architecture. Identify and manage risks, issues, dependencies, and opportunities for SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365 services. Working with Cyber Security and the Data Protection Officer to ensure that we are meeting required standards implementing solutions and tools that monitor and enforce policies. Manage the delivery of the Microsoft 365 technology stack. To have responsibility for the administration, configuration, and development of SharePoint online and Microsoft 365 services. To develop, design and build SharePoint Online and M365 technology stack in line with the Digital and Data Strategy and implement the outcomes required, that drives changes throughout the business and its partners. Responsibility for assuring the backup and performance of SharePoint Online, Microsoft 365 solutions and generation of dashboards to monitor the environments, ensuring systems are accessible and data is recoverable in a disaster recovery scenario. Work closely with the D&D department and communicate at all levels with wider business to ensure capture of all relevant data in a scalable environment and further develop the architecture to support at an enterprise level. To define and maintain policies, standards, and documentation for SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365 across the organisation.

What's essential.

Extensive experience within Microsoft 365, including but not limited to Exchange online, Teams, One Drive, SharePoint Online, Power Apps and Azure Active Directory Extensive experience administering, configuring, and designing a Microsoft 365 enterprise environment A good understanding of Microsoft 365 roadmaps and the ability to evaluate the applicability for business productivity solutions in accordance with the Digital and Data strategy Experience of deploying Microsoft 365 solutions Experience with PowerShell, including development of scripting across Microsoft 365 services Experience of undertaking appropriate impact assessment of Microsoft 365 updates Experience with integrations and migration paths from on-prem solutions to Microsoft 365 Experience of analysing highly complex technical issues and proposed solutions Experience in the automation of processes Extensive knowledge of supporting the Microsoft 365 technology stack Strong SharePoint online knowledge and skills Strong attention to detail and excellent customer service ethos Strong technical and governance documentation skills Ability to work autonomously and as a team player Prioritise and sequence the Microsoft 365 technology roadmap - delivering proof of concepts. Skilled in advanced troubleshooting across the Microsoft 365 stack Evidence of outstanding working relationship with end users in exceeding their expectations Working knowledge of PaaS, SaaS and IaaS technologies Knowledge of scripting technologies, specifically for systems administration (e.g. PowerShell, VB, .Net) for Azure Active Directory An understanding of ITIL practices, current GDPR and information security principles Qualified to degree level in an IT related discipline. An IT technical qualification e.g. M365, MCSD, MCSE, MCDA, CCNA, CISP, VCP or similar recognised professional qualification that demonstrates knowledge of essential skills

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

How to apply

.


Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

Create your Careers Account.

Register with your name, email address, and a password.

Build your Profile.

Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.

Write your Supporting Statement.

Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.

Submit your application.

Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won't be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and

only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting

. Be thorough in each section. It's your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.


Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the

FAQs

section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.


We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

Local Government Pension Scheme (

one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK

).

Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution

scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).

28 days

paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.

EV car benefit scheme

Healthcare plans.

Discounted

gym membership, will writing,

and

mortgage advice.

An option to

buy a bicycle

, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.

3 days

of paid leave each year to

volunteer

.

Interest-free financing

through SmartTech to buy the latest technology

Discounted shopping

with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a

Costco

membership through the WMCA.

Boundless

unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.

Eye

Care Scheme,

offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

For more information, please visit the

benefits page

on our career site.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.


We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We're a Disability Confident Employer with 'Leader' status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.


We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.


We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.


We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.


Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).