D365 Business Applications Practice Champion

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D365 Business Applications Practice Champion, Manchester

Client: Avanade

Location:

Manchester, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

171c51086e3c

Job Views:

3

Posted:

30.03.2025

Expiry Date:

14.05.2025

Job Description:

The Business Applications Practice Champion (BAPC) is responsible for supporting critical day-to-day tactical operational activities that aid the Practice Lead in managing the Practice. These include addressing staffing issues/needs, driving certification and skill development of Practice members, participating in recruitment of Practice members, and supporting employee engagement activities. This role will be a “connected” leader who can speak to Practice members on behalf of the Practice Lead.

This role is designed to support the accountabilities within the remit of Practice Lead; developing and evolving the broader practice strategy, optimizing revenue and chargeability in line with annual KPIs, developing a talent plan and associated workforce strategy, and maintaining skills, learning and development strategy.

The intent of the BAPC is to remain a client-facing practitioner. BAPC will have a standard role assigned to them with adjusted targets for chargeability and market utilization. The BAPC reports to the Practice Lead for their Practice-related accountabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Working understanding of similarities and differences of Avanade’s business within the assigned and across Business Groups.
2. Is “people focused” with the ability to support organizational culture, drive employee engagement, strengthen inclusion and diversity.
3. Comfort with interacting with leaders and employees at all levels.
4. Time management skills with the ability to juggle internal Practice work and client service responsibilities.
5. Requires strong understanding of the skills and capabilities needed in the Practice today and in the future.
6. Other skills include capability planning, change management, client relationship management, collaboration, inclusive leadership, and operational excellence.

Characteristics that can spell success for this role:

1. 8+ years of experience in a technology or business consulting organization.
2. 5 years of experience of managing and leading professionals in a corporate environment.
3. Experience or interest in employee engagement, coordinating employee activities, and onboarding.

Support the Practice with staffing needs to address client demand:

1. Support the Practice Lead with the development and execution of the workforce plan in partnership with Workforce Planning and Execution.
2. As needed, work with Resource Management to help identify available supply of talent within the Practices.
3. As needed, partner with supply channels including offshore and nearshore to be certain talent is readily available and at the right price point.
4. Execute on readiness activities, including bench management.
5. Work with the Practice Leadership to help ensure that individuals on the bench are actively engaged in impactful client and/or internal initiatives.
6. Partner with the Practice Lead and Talent Acquisition (TA) to interview and hire talent against approved requisitions.
7. Make Career Advisor (CA) assignments in consultation with the Practice Lead and the respective Business HR Partner.
8. Be an advocate of ensuring skill profiles, internal resumes, and Fwd together plans remain current.

Support certifications and development of Practice members:

1. Manage the certification drive for the Practice to ensure targets are met.
2. Drive System Integration/Solution Architect (SISA) certification, capability building, and coaching.
3. Monitor progress of certifications and filling skill gaps in conjunction with the Practice Lead and Workforce Planning and Execution.
4. As needed, in coordination with Career Advisers and the Practice Lead, provide ad hoc guidance on the skill and learning areas Practice members must develop to stay future-ready.
5. Provide the Practice Lead support with the annual performance and compensation process.

Support collaboration with the Practice and help create a sense of belonging:

1. Plan and coordinate new Practice member onboarding activities, including owning, developing, and maintaining Practice onboarding materials.
2. Help the Practice Lead embed Avanade Principles and Habits, increase inclusion, diversity, and employee engagement, retain talent and build/evolve communities and networks.
3. Share insights and relevant company and Practice updates with the Practice community via various internal communication methods and recognize/reward Practice members on an ongoing basis.

Shared KPIs:

1. Market utilization and chargeability, including personal MU and Chargeability.
2. Headcount Management per agreed plan.
3. Voluntary attrition.
4. Employee engagement.
5. Inclusion, Diversity & Wellbeing.
6. Solution Architect & Delivery certifications.
7. Design and execution of strategic priorities.

Some of the best things about working at Avanade:

1. Opportunity to work for Microsoft’s Global Alliance Partner of the Year, with exceptional development and training (minimum 80 hours per year for training and paid certifications).
2. Real-time access to technical and skilled resources globally.
3. Dedicated career advisor to encourage your growth.
4. Engaged and helpful coworkers genuinely interested in you.

Find out more about some of our benefits Employee Benefits at Avanade.