[Remote] Power BI Optimization Consultant / Freelance Contractor
Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Coleman Research is a partnership that connects businesses with hard-to-find expertise through a global network of subject matter experts. They are seeking an experienced Power BI Optimization Consultant to optimize large, complex Power BI semantic models and improve model performance, refresh reliability, and scalability within their current Power BI environment.
Responsibilities
- Audit large and complex Power BI semantic models to identify opportunities for performance improvement
- Evaluate model structure, table relationships, data volume, and overall semantic model design
- Identify opportunities to reduce model size, improve refresh reliability, and streamline ongoing maintenance
- Recommend and support model optimization strategies within a Power BI Pro environment
- Support star schema redesign, normalization, and fact/dimension table separation where appropriate
- Review SQL, DAX, M query, query folding, and Power BI-side performance considerations
- Use tools such as DAX Studio, Measure Killer, and Tabular Editor to analyze and improve model performance
- Provide clear documentation, recommendations, and handover guidance for the internal team
Skills
- Proven experience optimizing large-scale Power BI semantic models
- Strong understanding of Power BI model architecture, DAX, M query, VertiPaq, and query folding
- Experience auditing complex or legacy Power BI environments
- Practical knowledge of star schema design and fact/dimension modeling
- Experience improving refresh reliability, model performance, and maintainability
- Ability to work within Power BI Pro constraints without relying on Premium capacity as the primary solution
- Strong communication skills and ability to explain technical recommendations clearly
- Experience working with large, highly utilized Power BI models supporting multiple downstream reports
- Experience identifying unused columns, duplicate tables, inefficient queries, and unnecessary data load
- Familiarity with thin reports or reports connected through Power BI Service/live datasets
- SQL Server view design or database-side optimization experience
- Foundational knowledge of data warehouse design
- Power BI governance or workspace structure experience
- Microsoft PL-300 certification
- Prior freelance, consulting, or Microsoft Partner experience
Benefits
- Part-time or hourly consulting engagement
- Estimated project length: approximately 2 months
- Remote-friendly
- Flexible structure based on consultant availability, proposed approach, and project scope
Company Overview