Solution Consultant

Job Purpose

The Solutions Consultant role is responsible for the pre-sales and post-sales technical consultancy to existing and prospect customers, producing solutions based on our customers product portfolio, with an input into pricing model and quote/order processing. The role is technical in nature and customer focused, but it is expected that the individual is able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the bid cycle. Solutions consultant works closely with Account and Product Management, as well as Technology & Engineering groups to ensure the solutions are aligned with customers' requirements, which are viable and suitable focussing on whole life costs to operate.

Key Accountabilities

1. Engaging with our clients customers/clients to understand the business requirements/problem statements and translate to standard products & services.

2. To design solutions directly for our clients customers and check that the solutions proposed align with the as-is and to-be network architecture & strategy.

3. Manage stakeholder understanding and expectation regarding the solution; confirming functionality meets business needs in line with the business plan and whole life cost model.

4. Provide technical solutions consultancy to Telecoms related projects as required, preparing tenders, proposals and quotations.

5. Identify opportunities for the implementation of technical improvements that add value to the business through achievement of 'better, faster, cheaper' services.

6. Working with Product Management, Technology & Innovation to enhance the product portfolio based on industry understanding and the needs of the customer base.

7. Work in conjunction with approved suppliers to understand product road mapping and impact of end of life products to provide seamless integration into the environment.

8. Support the quote and order processing by providing clarity on the customer requirements in line with the right first time Service Delivery approach. Includes technical coaching and mentoring where required.

Skills/Experience

Essential

• Telecommunications services experience, pre/post-sales and network/service design within a service provider/integrator environment in a customer facing role
• Excellent technical skills to effectively liaise with new and existing customers to understand their requirements and suggest solutions based on the products and service portfolios, as well as network capabilities.
• A demonstrable and practical understanding of both wholesale & enterprise telecoms services, in particular DWDM, Ethernet, MPLS VPNs, Security, VoIP, SDH, LAN/WAN environment, hosting, CCTV
• Strong negotiation skills derived from working within a corporate and/or utilities governance environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explain, both in presentation form and verbally, complex technical solutions, to all levels within internal & external organisations.
• Sufficient seniority and credibility to advise senior management in relation to the solutions
• Self starter, able to drive initiatives with minimal direction
• Resilient and able to work under pressure of tight timescales if required
• Flexible and open-minded to different approaches to solution design and deployment
• Clear understanding of the bid cycle.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent

Desirable

• Cisco certs, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCIE
• Knowledge of telecoms within the rail or transport industry sector
• Understanding of a number of the following: Excellent Business Acumen with strong commercial focus (P&L) and financially astute
• Recognition of the dynamics and characteristics of the telecom market products, services and suppliers