Lead Data Consultant - Microsoft Fabric Analytics

About the Role

The Theta team in Wellington is seeking a seasoned Lead Analytics Engineer to join their Data and Insights Practice. This key role emphasizes delivering high-quality analytics outcomes by collaborating with clients to transform business inquiries into accurate reporting, governed metrics, and robust semantic models. You will own delivery processes end-to-end, working independently or alongside solution architects and delivery teams when necessary, focusing primarily on Microsoft Fabric and the Azure Data Platform.

The goal is to ensure consistent, dependable analytics implementations that drive measurable business results through well-structured data, precise truth definitions, and analytics products that users willingly adopt.

Main Responsibilities

• Guide client discovery sessions to establish core KPIs and reporting objectives, defining clear "definitions of truth."
• Design semantic and analytics data models and develop initial versions within Microsoft Fabric and Power BI yourself.
• Create practical, fit-for-purpose solutions that promote user adoption, accompanied by thorough documentation and knowledge transfer.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 4 years of hands-on experience with Power BI, including semantic model design, advanced DAX measure creation, and optimization of both models and reports.
• Minimum 4 years of consulting experience engaging directly with clients, facilitating workshops, and translating vague business needs into explicit analytics requirements.
• Over 4 years of expertise in analytics data modeling and SQL, including the design of dimensional/star schemas and proficient use of SQL for data profiling, transformation, and preparing analytics-ready datasets.
• 4+ years of full-cycle analytics delivery in a consulting or client-focused setting, managing all stages from requirements gathering to build, validation, release, adoption, and documentation.

Desirable Skills and Attributes

• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Fabric components beyond Power BI, such as Lakehouse/Warehouse concepts, OneLake, Delta tables, Data Factory, dataflows, and Fabric notebooks with PySpark experience where applicable.
• Familiarity with engineering approaches to delivery, including Git-based workflows, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, release administration, monitoring, and managing different environments.
• Experience implementing data governance and security from the design phase onward, including metric governance, data quality procedures, and row-level security or access control strategies.
• Capability in production support and operational management, such as incident handling, root cause analysis, performance troubleshooting, and reliability improvements.
• Relevant Microsoft certifications, or active pursuit thereof, particularly relating to Power BI, Fabric, or Azure data technologies.
• Mentorship experience including coaching team members, establishing standards, peer reviewing, and creating reusable templates and assets.
• Use of AI-assisted coding tools responsibly (e.g., GitHub Copilot) to enhance delivery speed and consistency.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will possess deep analytics engineering knowledge and a strong ability to interact directly with clients. They will be skilled in leading discovery phases, clarifying ambiguous requests, and delivering reliable reporting and semantic models that align with stakeholder expectations and encourage broad adoption. They value quality, maintainability, dependability, and clarity, balancing these with delivery schedules and business needs. A collaborative spirit, openness to constructive feedback, and enjoyment in mentoring others are highly valued.

About Theta

Theta is a New Zealand-owned technology consultancy with over three decades of experience and a dedicated multicultural team of approximately 280 professionals. With offices in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, and Christchurch, the company services both public and private sectors with innovative solutions. The company culture emphasizes ethics, creativity, positive energy, humour, work-life balance, and pragmatic excellence.

Employee Benefits and Culture

• Supportive, family-friendly, and flexible work arrangements, particularly for caregivers.
• Commitment to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Active community involvement and fundraising efforts for Cure Kids.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Competitive remuneration based on experience.
• Hybrid work model requiring at least two days in the office weekly.
• Fully paid medical insurance for employees with substantial discounts for immediate family members.
• Enhanced parental leave with salary top-ups and incentives to return to work.
• Volunteer days and an internal referral program.
• Staff Assistance Program, annual flu vaccinations, and immediate sick leave benefits.
• Remote work options subject to agreement and practicality.
• Office amenities such as fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and biscuits in all locations.
• Accredited employer status with Immigration New Zealand.

Additional Considerations

All candidates must consent to Ministry of Justice and credit checks as part of the employment process. Applications are only accepted from applicants currently residing in New Zealand with valid visas.