PowerBI Developer (6 month FTC)

SmartSearch; Ilkley; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartSearch is seeking a Power BI Developer to design, build and maintain high-quality analytics solutions. You will translate business needs into reliable dashboards under the guidance of the Interim Director of Data and BI, working across Power BI Desktop, Service and Premium.

The role requires 3–5 years of Power BI development experience, strong governance and stakeholder skills, and familiarity with Microsoft Fabric capabilities. This is a 6 month FTC and hybrid in Ilkley.

Qualifications

• Power BI reporting and dashboard design and maintenance.
• Strong DAX and data modelling knowledge.
• Experience with Power BI Desktop, Service, Premium.
• Familiarity with Fabric capabilities and governance.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain Power BI reports and dashboards.
• Develop DAX calculations, measures, and KPIs.
• Use Power Query to connect and transform data.
• Create well-structured data models using star schema.
• Optimise report performance across Power BI environments.
• Support Fabric Direct Lake mode where appropriate.

Skills

Power BI

Advanced DAX

Power Query

M Language

Data Modelling (Star Schema)

Row-Level Security

Performance Optimisation

Stakeholder Engagement

Fabric & Direct Lake

PL-300 or DA-100

DP-600

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

Direct Lake Mode

Job description

Location: Hybrid / Ilkley LS29 8FL, UK
job type: Fixed term / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Technology | Data & Analytics
Salary: Competitive salary

SmartSearch’s distinctive Anti-Money Laundering verification software protects our clients by offering the most advanced and comprehensive features available from an AML provider.

SmartSearch has grown rapidly by fostering an incredibly collaborative and supportive culture. As we continue our ambitious growth plans, we will strive to remain a truly exciting, rewarding, and unique place to work.

HOW WILL YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

We’re looking for a Power BI Developer to join our team and play a key role in designing, building, and maintaining high-quality reporting and analytics solutions. Reporting to the Interim Director of Data and BI, you will work closely with stakeholders to translate business requirements into reliable, scalable, and insightful dashboards and data models.

The successful candidate will have strong hands‑on Power BI development experience, advanced DAX capability, and a solid understanding of data modelling best practice, including star schema design. You will be comfortable working across Power BI Desktop, Service, and Premium, and ideally bring experience with Microsoft Fabric capabilities such as Direct Lake mode.

This role is suited to someone with 3-5 years of Power BI development experience who can combine strong technical delivery with a practical understanding of governance, security, and stakeholder needs.

Please note, this is a 6 month FTC.

VARIED DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

Power BI Development

• Design, build, and maintain Power BI reports, dashboards, and semantic models that support business decision‑making.
• Develop robust and efficient DAX calculations, measures, and KPIs to meet reporting requirements.
• Use Power Query and M language to connect, transform, and shape data from multiple sources.
• Create and maintain well‑structured data models using best practice design principles, including star schema.
• Optimise report performance and usability across Power BI Desktop, Service, and Premium environments.
• Support the use of Microsoft Fabric capabilities, including Direct Lake mode where appropriate.

Governance, Security and Collaboration

• Implement and maintain row‑level security and support secure access to reporting assets.
• Work closely with stakeholders to gather requirements, clarify reporting needs, and deliver clear, actionable insights.
• Promote best practice in reporting governance, documentation, and release management.
• Collaborate with data engineering and wider technical teams to ensure reporting solutions are aligned with source data architecture and platform standards.
• Provide support, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement for existing dashboards, reports, and analytics solutions.
• Stay up to date with developments across Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, and the wider Microsoft data ecosystem.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE?

• Power BI (Desktop, Service, Premium / Fabric) – Solid experience developing reports and dashboards, publishing to Service, and managing content within shared workspaces and Premium environments.
• Advanced DAX – Strong ability to create measures and calculations, with a good understanding of core concepts such as filter context and time intelligence.
• Power Query / M Language – Experience building and maintaining data transformation processes and integrating data from multiple sources.
• Data Modelling (Star Schema Design) – Good understanding of dimensional modelling principles, including creating efficient and user‑friendly data models.
• Microsoft Fabric & Direct Lake Mode – Exposure to Fabric and Direct Lake, with awareness of when to use different storage modes.
• Row-Level Security (RLS) – Experience implementing RLS and managing access controls within Power BI.
• Performance Optimisation – Ability to identify and resolve basic performance issues in reports and datasets.
• PL‑300 or DA‑100 (Preferred) - Certified in Power BI with proven core data analysis and visualisation skills.
• DP‑600 (Preferred) - Exposure to or working towards Fabric Analytics Engineer certification.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Able to gather requirements and translate business needs into effective BI solutions.

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AT SMARTSEARCH?

• We are a multi‑award winning Tech company with an aspirational mentality
• Some of our most recent recognitions include: named in the renowned RegTech100 list for 2024, listed in the Top 100 Fasted Growing Tech Companies by Northern Tech Awards 2024 as well as being named Technology Provider of the Year by Corporate Finance Awards 2024
• We have been Great Place To Work Certified since 2022
• There are excellent progression opportunities due to our growth and you will have personal development goals, regular feedback and support
• We are a diverse and inclusive team committed to promoting Diversity & Inclusion and Social Responsibility. Through our DE&I group, charitable initiatives and support for local schools, we actively foster a positive Impact on our community