As a Solution Architect (Cloud Services for Microsoft) at Dimension Data, you will collaborate with the relevant internal stakeholders and participate in discovery sessions with clients to understand their needs and develop and implement solutions that will help them to transform their business. In addition to this you will create integrated solutions and collaborate with the architectural consulting function in architecting client solutions. You will craft the CSfM solution for clients, taking into consideration the client’s existing environment, defining the cloud readiness activities, the solution architecture with CSfM at its core, the on boarding process and the overall solution design.

To achieve our goals, execute our strategy, and deliver a fantastic client experience,we need people with a certain set of values: people who care deeply about their clients; people who think and act in a client-centric way every day.

What we will expect you to do:

You will work in close collaboration with global and regional stakeholders from multiple business and service units and in this capacity you will be required to deliver on the following:

Assess client needs

• You will be responsible for analysing current day customer business and technology requirement through deep understanding of current day industry trends, associated solutions and key partners’ solutions.
• Use your requirements gathering skills to accurately develop the future state of the business with supporting data.
• Apply design methodology principles in a logical and scientific manner to perform a detailed analysis of client requirements to create designs for conceptual architectural designs.
• Provide the overall vision of the desired client outcomes and the proposed solution and is the link between the needs of the client and the product management and implementation (project) teams.

Design and implement the solution

• You will be consult with clients to understand and develop the IT roadmap in conjunction with the strategy and conduct assessments to gain insights into the client’s current and future states as input into the business case.
• Build and develop business cases based on your assessment and present and explain the value of proposed infrastructure, application and/or platform solutions to clients in a consultative manner.
• Assist the client in architecting Cloud Services for Microsoft based on capabilities from a single or multiple business Units.
• Promote a consultative engagement, led by Dimension Data consultants using an assessment-led approach to help clients understand their business productivity requirements and investment options in relation to retaining on premise solutions or starting to consume cloud-enabled service products.
• You will be required to facilitate client presentations as part of the buying cycle, with particular focus on building client confidence and technical understanding of the Dimension Data CSfM value proposition and assist with the development and delivery of key client proposals.

Programme management

• You will become involved with a project at the time of inception and along with the project manager in the planning and governance of projects, the Functional analysis (FA) of developing the initial requirements.
• Lead and manage the creation and closure of a strong pipeline against established programme targets working with internal and partner’s sales teams as well as being a key contributor towards convincing clients of our joint proposition.
• Use your expertise in consultative solution selling and business development skills to align the client’s business needs with the CSfM solutions.

Proof of concept

• A strong strong stakeholder and client relationship is required to ensure an understanding of the business need, related products and solutions and technology positioning.
• Manage the proof of concept (POC) initiatives, which will require the involvement of the appropriate resources (engineers and/or developers), and setup and delivery of the POC.

Conduct research

• You will be required to research and investigate emerging infrastructure technologies, platform and/or application technologies and the best practices associated with them.
• Support the improvement of internal effectiveness by contributing to improving current methodologies, processes and tools.
• Develop the pre-sales capability and capacity in their region or country and will work with the broader global community to capture and share best practice around CSfM.

Business development

• Increase business opportunities for Dimension Data by acting as entrepreneurs, supporting bids and sales pursuits, and generating opportunities within clients.
• Qualify opportunities and contribute to the process of selling solutions and services.

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Here's what we are looking for in candidates for this job:

Key requirements:

• Technical degree in engineering, computer science or related discipline. 
• Knowledge of IAAS, PAAS and/or SAAS technologies
• Technical and deployment domain expertise in key areas of Microsoft technologies, Exchange, Lync & SharePoint
• Strong understanding of ITIL practices
• A good understanding of the vast range of IT operations and Dimension Data service offerings
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working in or with IT Departments to obtain sufficient operational experience
• 3-5 years working experience with Microsoft Communications and Collaborations technologies (Professional, Support, Cloud and Managed Services)
• Proven client engagement and consulting experience coupled with solid experience in client needs assessment and change management
• Experience in a sales/ pre-sales role or similar
• Business development and project management experience would be advantageous
  
  

Key abilities required:

• Knowledge and understanding of IT industry environment and business needs
• Sound financial skills for budgeting and pricing purposes
• A strong business and commercial orientation and with a supporting strategic thinking ability 
• A balanced Business and Technology savvy and a strong understanding of both applications and infrastructure
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain strong stakeholder relationships
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
• Excellent problem solving ability
• Excellent consulting skills and the ability to recognise opportunities for future business within an account
• Assertive in approach coupled with confidence in area of expertise

For more information regarding this position or if you have questions regarding your application, please email WP (at) hashtagtalent.com (using job title in subject line) or if you can't wait for email, follow and direct message us on Twitter @Hashtag_Talent