The Microsoft Solutions Specialist assists the Senior Intranet
Architect with the design, development, planning, implementation,
configuration, monitoring, maintenance, governance, and adoption of
Grinnell College's Microsoft 365 environment and related
collaboration, communication, productivity, and automation
technologies. This role supports Microsoft 365 applications
including SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Forms, Lists, Planner, Power
Platform, Copilot, and related technologies, applying knowledge of
their functionality, configuration, governance, and effective use
in a higher education environment.
Working closely with faculty, staff, and ITS colleagues, the
Microsoft Solutions Specialist evaluates business needs, develops
practical technology solutions, provides technical consultation,
promotes user adoption through training and support, and assists
with third-party applications and integrations that extend the
Microsoft ecosystem. The successful candidate exercises sound
technical judgment, manages multiple priorities, and contributes to
the continuous improvement of enterprise collaboration
technologies.
Key Responsibilities
Microsoft 365 Platform Administration and Support
- Collaborate with the Senior Intranet Architect to administer,
configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Microsoft 365 collaboration
and productivity services, including SharePoint Online, Microsoft
Teams, OneDrive, Forms, Lists, Planner, Power Platform, Copilot,
and related applications.
Support platform configuration, security, user access,
application deployment, licensing, operational maintenance, and
governance standards for Microsoft 365 services.
Develop and maintain SharePoint sites, document libraries,
permissions, collaboration workspaces, and related governance
standards.
Monitor platform health, usage, and performance; proactively
identify and address issues affecting reliability, security,
compliance, or user experience.
Work closely with Information Security and other ITS teams to
support Microsoft 365 governance, compliance, security best
practices, and institutional policies.
Solution Development and Departmental Engagement
- Partner with faculty, staff, and campus departments to
understand business needs, operational challenges, and
opportunities for improvement.
- Gather, analyze, and document business requirements, and
translate them into practical Microsoft 365 solutions that align
with institutional objectives.
- Recommend and implement solutions using Microsoft 365
technologies to support collaboration, communication, workflow
automation, information sharing, and business process
improvement.
- Assist departments in evaluating how existing Microsoft
capabilities may address business needs before pursuing additional
software acquisitions.
- Assist with implementation, testing, upgrades, integrations,
and continuous improvement initiatives for Microsoft and
third-party enterprise applications.
User Adoption, Training, and Communications
- Develop and execute communication, training, and adoption
plans.
- Create and maintain user guides, knowledge base articles,
workshops, training materials, and technical resources.
- Deliver individual and group training to promote effective use
and adoption of technologies.
- Provide consultation and support to faculty and staff regarding
effective use of applications and emerging capabilities.
- Serve as a trusted technology consultant by providing excellent
customer service and communicating effectively with technical and
non-technical users.
Platform Analytics and Continuous Improvement
- Develop, monitor, and communicate analytics related to
Microsoft 365 platform usage, adoption, effectiveness, and
institutional value.
- Use platform data, user feedback, usage trends, and industry
best practices to recommend improvements that increase adoption,
streamline business processes, and maximize return on licensing and
services.
- Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and recommend
improvements to enhance reliability, security, and user
experience.
- Maintain technical documentation, configuration standards, and
operational procedures.
Professional Development and Emerging Technologies
- Maintain current knowledge of Microsoft technologies, industry
trends, higher education technology practices, and emerging
capabilities, including AI-enabled productivity tools such as
Microsoft Copilot.
- Pursue relevant certifications, training, and professional
development opportunities.
- Evaluate new Microsoft features and recommend opportunities for
institutional adoption where appropriate.
ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE
Grinnell College is a top-ranking private liberal arts institution
that values diversity, equity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and
social responsibility. We seek candidates that align with these
values and have the ability and desire to advance our values and
belonging within our community and the communities we engage. Ideal
candidates will be prepared to collaborate and contribute to the
mission and values of the college across all constituencies.
- Associate degree or an equivalent combination of education and
professional experience. Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Minimum of one year of professional experience supporting
enterprise applications, collaboration platforms, business systems,
or related technology services.
- Experience supporting, configuring, troubleshooting, or
administering Microsoft 365 technologies, including SharePoint
Online, Teams, OneDrive, Forms, Lists, Planner, or related
Microsoft services.
- Experience gathering and documenting business requirements and
translating them into technology solutions.
- Experience providing user support, technical consultation, and
training.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving
skills.
- Ability to communicate technical information effectively to
diverse audiences.
- Excellent customer service, organization, and project
management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing
technologies.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment while handling confidential
information.
- Commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and
belonging.
Preferred Experience
- One to three years supporting Microsoft 365 technologies in an
enterprise or higher education environment.
- Experience with SharePoint Online administration, site
development, document management, permissions, and collaboration
solutions.
- Experience administering Microsoft Teams, collaboration
technologies, and user adoption initiatives.
- Experience with Microsoft Power Platform technologies,
including Power Automate, Power Apps, and Power BI.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Active Directory,
identity management, authentication concepts, governance, and
security.
- Experience with Microsoft 365 service integrations, enterprise
search capabilities, and configuration for optimal
performance.
- Experience maintaining third-party solutions, including
sandboxing, testing, patching, upgrades, and promotion of changes
from test to production environments.
- Experience with PowerShell, SharePoint Designer, InfoPath,
Workflow, Power BI, web design tools, graphic design tools, or
similar Microsoft ecosystem tools.
- Experience delivering training, workshops, communications, or
technology adoption programs.
- Experience supporting Microsoft Copilot or other AI-enabled
productivity technologies.
- Microsoft 365, Power Platform, or related Microsoft
certifications.
- Experience working within higher education or another complex,
mission-driven organization.
