This role is ideal for a technology enthusiast who enjoys solving complex business challenges, building innovative solutions and remaining hands-on with modern technologies while influencing long-term technology strategy.
Role Purpose
The Technology Solutions Lead is responsible for identifying, designing, developing and implementing technology solutions that support the organisation's strategic objectives.
This role combines software development, solution architecture, systems integration and technology innovation. The postholder will lead the design and delivery of business applications, databases, record management systems, automation solutions and cloud-based platforms whilst maintaining awareness of emerging technologies and industry best practice.
The Technology Solutions Lead will play a key role in modernising legacy systems and delivering future-state digital platforms across the Microsoft ecosystem, including Azure, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, Fabric, Purview and AI-enabled technologies.
The role is hands-on and strategic, requiring an individual who enjoys developing solutions whilst also shaping technology direction and driving innovation across the business.
Key Responsibilities
Technology Strategy & Innovation
- Monitor emerging technologies, products and services that may provide strategic or operational advantage.
- Evaluate new technologies and make recommendations to senior leadership.
- Develop and maintain technology roadmaps for core business applications and platforms.
- Support the organisation's digital transformation objectives.
- Identify opportunities for automation, artificial intelligence and improved data utilisation.
- Promote adoption of innovative technologies that improve operational efficiency and customer experience.
Application Development
- Design, develop and maintain bespoke business applications.
- Develop web-based applications using PHP and other appropriate technologies.
- Produce secure, scalable and maintainable code.
- Apply software development lifecycle (SDLC) principles and development standards.
- Manage testing, user acceptance testing and deployment activities.
- Troubleshoot, diagnose and resolve application issues.
- Maintain documentation to support ongoing support and development.
Database & Data Management
- Design, develop and maintain business-critical databases.
- Create and manage structured data models.
- Develop management information and reporting solutions.
- Lead data migration and transformation projects from legacy platforms.
- Ensure data quality, integrity, governance and security.
- Work with stakeholders to improve reporting, analytics and business intelligence capability.
Microsoft Technology Solutions
- Design, implement and administer solutions using:
- Microsoft Azure
- Microsoft 365
- SharePoint Online
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft Fabric
- Microsoft Purview
- Power Platform
- Entra ID
- Deliver integrations between line-of-business systems and Microsoft services.
- Support compliance, information governance and records management requirements.
- Drive greater utilisation of Microsoft cloud technologies across the organisation.
Systems Architecture
- Develop technical architectures for new business systems and services.
- Create and maintain solution designs and technical specifications.
- Ensure solutions are scalable, resilient and secure.
- Support business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
- Ensure alignment with organisational security standards and technology governance frameworks.
Project Delivery
- Work closely with stakeholders to understand business requirements.
- Translate business needs into practical and effective technical solutions.
- Produce implementation plans, effort estimates and technical documentation.
- Deliver projects within agreed timescales and budgets.
- Support supplier evaluations, procurement activities and technology selection processes where required.
Information Security & Compliance
- Ensure solutions align with organisational compliance requirements, including:
- ISO 27001
- ISO 27701
- ISO 9001
- Cyber Essentials Plus
- UK GDPR
- Data Protection Act 2018
- Apply security-by-design principles throughout solution development.
- Support risk assessments, security reviews and audit activities.
- Contribute to continual improvement of information security and data protection controls.
Person Specification
- Significant experience in software development and application delivery.
- Strong PHP development expertise.
- Experience designing and managing relational databases.
- Proven track record delivering web-based business applications.
- Strong understanding of Microsoft cloud technologies.
- Experience designing and implementing Azure-based solutions.
- Experience with SharePoint Online and Microsoft Teams administration and development.
- Understanding of Microsoft Fabric and data analytics solutions.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Purview and information governance frameworks.
- Experience integrating systems through APIs and modern integration methods.
- Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and secure software development practices.
Essential
- Solution architecture and technical design.
- Systems analysis and problem solving.
- Database design and data modelling.
- Requirements gathering and stakeholder engagement.
- Technical documentation and process mapping.
- Project planning and delivery.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Desirable
- Experience replacing or modernising legacy business systems.
- Experience delivering FileMaker migration projects.
- Microsoft Certifications.
- Azure Certifications.
- Experience implementing AI-enabled technologies and machine learning solutions.
- Knowledge of identity verification, compliance or regulated industries.
- Experience working within ISO-certified environments.
At Target, we are guided by our values of Respect, Passion, Innovation and Integrity. The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Passion for technology and innovation.
- Curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Ownership and accountability for outcomes.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Commercial awareness and business focus.
- Collaboration and teamwork.
- Integrity and professionalism.
- Commitment to quality, security and continuous improvement.
Benefits of working here
- Competitive salary.
- Hours 36 hours 15 minutes per week
- Contract Permanent
- Location Selsey, West Sussex / Hybrid
- Target is an Employee Ownership trust - you will become a beneficiary after 12 months employment
- Annual dividends eligible after 12 months service (subject to business performance)
- Supportive & friendly team to help you develop in the role
- Contribution towards nursery fees
- 25% gym discount at Thrive gym
- WPA Healthcare
- Auto enrollment pension
- Growing business with opportunity for career progression
- Two Company paid volunteer days per year
- Employee Assistance Program
- Perkbox employee discount scheme
- Company paid social events throughout the year
- Birthday, work anniversary and Christmas gift voucher
A bit about Target Professional Services
Target Professional Services are market leading global tracing and data verification specialists. We have provided innovative services to the pension and finance sector for over 35 years. We became an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) in 2022.
Our company values - Respect, Passion, Integrity, and Innovation underpin everything we do. Our culture is supportive and friendly.
Our Vision - "*Everyone connected to their pensions and savings. Securely, confidently, globally*"
Our Mission - "By applying a unique blend of technology and customer focus, we provide agile solutions that deliver accurate data to the pensions and savings sector globally"
Work Location: In person
