Solutions Architect

Role OverviewThe Solution Architect is a pivotal role within our organisation, responsible for leading technical engagements with both new and existing clients. This role demands a detail-oriented professional with a proven track record of designing profitable and suitable solutions tailored to meet customer needs. The Solution Architect will be responsible for the design and oversight of complex customer solutions, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives and delivery capabilities.?Key ResponsibilitiesClient Engagement & Architecture Design: Lead client engagements, translating business requirements into robust technology architectures.Act as the design authority, proposing solutions that align with commercial targets and organisational processes.Solution Design & Documentation: Create and present detailed technical documentation, ensuring that both functional and non-functional requirements are fully addressed in the design.Balancing Requirements & Capabilities: Balance client needs, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), critical success factors, and delivery capabilities to provide optimal solutions.Technical Leadership & Implementation Oversight: Provide technical leadership throughout customer projects, overseeing solution implementation and ensuring alignment with the architectural vision.Proactive Solution Review & Strategic Direction: Continuously review customer solutions and contribute to roadmap sessions, proposing improvements and strategic directions to meet evolving client goals.Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, commercial, and sales management teams to ensure seamless integration of solutions across various business units.Vendor & Supplier Management: Manage relationships with vendors and suppliers, leveraging strategic partnerships to enhance customer solutions. Understand vendor product roadmaps and co-develop solutions when appropriate.Industry Standards & Compliance: Ensure solutions comply with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards, such as GDPR, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001.Sales Enablement: Support the sales team by providing technical expertise in developing sales collateral, participating in customer pitches, responding to technical objections, and ensuring alignment with market trends and customer demands.Contribution to RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs: Provide technical input and expertise into Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), and Requests for Quotation (RFQs) to support the commercial team in winning new business.Experience / Qualifications?Essential:?Technical Expertise:Proficient in LAN, WAN, and Data Centre infrastructure, including technologies such as Switching, Routing, SD-WAN, SASE, WLAN, and SDN.Strong experience with edge security appliances (Firewalls, IDS/IPS, DDoS), web application gateways, and load balancers.Architecture Frameworks:Ideally experienced with structured architecture approaches, such as TOGAF.Client-Facing Experience:Proven experience in architecting technical solutions for enterprise-sized customers.Security Knowledge:Solid understanding of modern security protocols and procedures, with exposure to cybersecurity fundamentals.IT Best Practices & Governance:Key understanding of IT best practices and governance frameworks.Communication & Presentation Skills:Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence both internal and external stakeholders.Comfortable presenting to audiences of varying sizes.?Desirable:?Additional Technical Experience:Experience with a wide range of technologies, including:Network Access ControlsSecurity Information and Event Management (SIEM)Endpoint Protection (Advanced malware protection, content filtering)Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutionsCloud ServicesSystems and Mobile Management Software (e.g., Intune, MobileIron)Enterprise UC Platforms (e.g., Teams Online, Mitel MI Voice, BroadWorks, 8x8)