Azure Solutions Architect

Job Title: Azure Solutions Architect Division: Microsoft – Cloud & Hosting Location & Address: 51 Kyalami Boulevard, Kyalami Business Park, Midrand, JHB Reports to: Brand Manager – Microsoft Direct Subordinates: 0 Total Staff in Function: 5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Internal: Procurement Sales Operations Brand Operations Account Managers Systems Engineers / Presales Marketing Logistics Regional Managers External: Vendor Resellers End Users Vendor Alliance Partners Main Purpose of Position: The Azure Solutions Architect has both pre-sales and engineer responsibilities to bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions.
The role entails the design and build of accurate Bills of Material, configurations, and solutions by studying and understanding partner requirements as well as planning and delivering cost estimates, designs, and POCs.
The person is responsible for the oversight of all support and pre-sales engagements with resellers and supporting resellers with the positioning of Azure solutions to their end-customers.
The person is also responsible for all Azure Services, which is a billable offering to partners.
KPA PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Internal and External Enablement Supporting the brand team with the delivery of partner enablement across key Microsoft technologies including pre-sales and technical presentations.
This is delivered through Partner Bootcamps, End-customer Bootcamps, in-person events, or remote webinars.
In these sessions you are responsible for articulating the Azure Programmatic, Key features and functionality, Commercial Model, and Sales Plays.
Provide coaching and technical development to team members, and brand/sales associates to enhance their product knowledge, technical acumen, and technical sales skills.
Pre-Sales 1.
Partner Engagement and Requirement Analysis Understand Client Needs: Engage with clients to gather requirements and understand their business challenges and objectives.
Conduct Workshops and Presentations: Lead technical workshops, presentations, and demos to showcase Azure solutions and capabilities.
2.
Solution Design and Proposal Development Technical Solution Design: Develop comprehensive technical solutions on Azure that align with client requirements and business goals.
Proposal Writing: Create detailed proposals, including solution architecture, implementation plans, and cost estimates.
3.
Technical Expertise and Demonstrations Provide Technical Expertise: Serve as the technical expert in pre-sales engagements, offering insights and recommendations on Azure services and best practices.
Conduct Proof of Concepts (PoCs): Design and execute PoCs to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of proposed solutions.
4.
Collaboration and Communication Collaborate with Sales Teams: Work closely with sales teams to align technical solutions with sales strategies and client needs.
Client Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with clients throughout the pre-sales process to ensure alignment and address any concerns.
5.
Competitive Analysis and Market Trends Analyze Competitive Solutions: Stay updated on competitive solutions and industry trends to position Azure offerings effectively.
Market Research: Conduct market research to identify opportunities and tailor solutions to meet market demands.
6.
Technical Documentation and Reporting Document Solutions: Prepare detailed technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, technical specifications, and implementation guides.
Report Progress: Track and report on pre-sales activities, engagement outcomes, and KPIs to management.
7.
Continuous Improvement and Learning Update Skills and Knowledge: Continuously update skills and knowledge on Azure technologies, industry trends, and best practices.
Feedback and Improvement: Gather feedback from clients and sales teams to improve pre-sales processes and solution offerings.
Engineer Responsibilities (Technical Deployments and Configurations) Infrastructure Design and Deployment Architect Azure Solutions: Design and deploy scalable, reliable, and secure cloud architectures using Azure services.
Providing Azure cost estimates as well as Azure Services costs where applicable as part of SOW to partners.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Use tools like Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates, Terraform, or Bicep to automate the deployment and management of cloud resources.
2.
Management and Maintenance Monitor and Optimize Performance: Monitor cloud infrastructure to ensure optimal performance, availability, and scalability.
Use Azure Monitor, Application Insights, and other tools for performance tuning.
Backup and Recovery: Implement and manage backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans using Azure Backup, Site Recovery, and other services.
3.
Security and Compliance Implement Security Best Practices: Apply security best practices to protect cloud infrastructure, including network security, identity management, and data protection using Azure Security Center, Azure AD, and other tools.
Ensure Compliance: Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations by implementing and maintaining security and governance policies.
4.
Cost Management and Optimisation Manage Costs: Monitor and optimize cloud spending to ensure cost-efficiency.
Use Azure Cost Management and Budget tools to track and control costs.
Resource Tagging: Implement resource tagging and management policies to ensure proper tracking and accountability of cloud resources.
5.
Automation and Scripting Automate Tasks: Develop scripts and automation solutions to streamline operations, deployments, and maintenance tasks using PowerShell, Azure CLI, and Azure Automation.
Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Implement CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or other tools to automate application deployment and updates.
6.
Networking and Connectivity Design and Manage Networks: Design and manage virtual networks, subnets, and VPN connections to ensure secure and reliable connectivity.
Configure Load Balancing: Implement load balancing solutions to distribute traffic and ensure high availability using Azure Load Balancer, Application Gateway, and Traffic Manager.
7.
Database Management Manage Databases: Deploy, manage, and optimize Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, and other database services to ensure data integrity, performance, and availability.
Data Migration: Plan and execute data migration projects to move data from on-premises systems or other cloud providers to Azure.
8.
Troubleshooting and Support Resolve Issues: Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to Azure infrastructure, services, and applications.
Provide Support: Provide technical support and guidance to development teams, end-users, and other stakeholders.
9.
Documentation and Reporting Document Solutions: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for deployed solutions, including architecture diagrams, configuration details, and operational procedures.
Report Status: Track and report on the status of infrastructure, deployments, and incidents to management and stakeholders.
Project close-out report: Obtain project signoff after the deployment of services on behalf of the partner to end-customers.
10.
Continuous Learning and Improvement Stay Updated: Continuously update skills and knowledge on Azure services, industry trends, and best practices.
Implement Improvements: Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement changes to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cloud operations.
11.
Coordinate and Manage ASfP Agreement (Advanced Support for Partners): Monitor and manage all support cases logged to the vendor: Manage SLAs and capacity ensuring that bulk of cases are resolved internally (Jira) instead of logged to the vendor (Microsoft Engineering).
Identify types of cases: Leveraging these insights to upskill junior support and technical resources to reduce the types of cases logged externally.
Manage the resolution of escalated cases: (vendor SLAs) with the vendor against the ASfP agreement and report monthly to management.
Flag any challenges for management for vendor resolution.
KPIs Active representative and community member: Microsoft, Azure, Cloud, IT.
Conversion Rate: Measure the percentage of proposals that convert to actual sales (pipeline management).
Client Satisfaction: Track partner feedback and satisfaction scores regarding pre-sales engagements.
Time to Proposal: Monitor the time taken to develop and deliver proposals.
Win Rate: Assess the success rate of winning new business based on submitted proposals.
Revenue Contribution: Conversion of Services opportunities (deployments and configurations).
Pipeline Growth: Measure the growth of the sales pipeline attributed to pre-sales activities.
OUR CORE VALUES: Trust: It is the starting point of being able to work together.
When we trust, we feel safe.
Enjoyment: Be happy at work and love what you do.
This is an overall productivity booster and enhances performance.
Teamwork: Strive to work productively in cooperation with one another, fostering a healthy atmosphere with mutual support, thus allowing everyone to achieve their own work-related goals.
Integrity: Be honest and truthful in your dealings with peers, customers, and vendors.
Accountability: Accountability allows us to learn.
Be accountable for the consequences of your actions.
Respect: Respect is not only a promise, but it is supported by actions.
Passion: Passion is the energy that keeps us going.
Everyone at Epsidon puts their heart into their work and is passionate about becoming the best version of themselves.
Attitude: Professionalism and positivity are the demonstrated attitudes with internal and external stakeholders.
REQUIREMENTS: Internal training associated with competencies: During the first week of your employment, you'll be presented with a meticulously crafted learning map designed to seamlessly guide you through your on-the-job training experience.
Strong presentation skills (articulating the value of FD and the various infrastructure and Azure Value Proposition (IaaS & PaaS).
Understand and ability to present Azure Sales Plays.
Strong partner relationship management skills.
Ability to negotiate with C-level and technical stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications: Experience with general on-prem and dedicated infrastructure transition into the cloud (hyperscale's) and Azure.
Clear understanding of Cloud technologies and concepts.
Clear understanding of Azure-related programmatic and processes.
Strong understanding of Microsoft Azure infrastructure configuration and Azure Well-Architected Framework.
Ability to deploy and configure Azure resources.
Ability to coach and mentor junior support and technical resources.
Physical Requirements: Own transportation Additional Skills: Strong Self Motivational and Empowerment skills.
Strong Communication Skills.
Strong Relationship and Self-Management Skills.
Takes Initiative.
Works well with all kinds of people.
Remains calm under pressure.
Office Requirements: Office-based working environment.
Semi-formal dress code.
Working hours are from 08:00 – 17:00.
Excellent international business language skills (English), both written and verbal.
Reliable transport to and from the office.
Note: This is a permanent position subject to a three-month probationary period.
You will be required to perform such duties as reasonably required by the business.
Your job description may be amended from time to time if it is valid and reasonable.
You will serve the Company or any Associated Entity in such capacity as management may reasonably require.
Duties must be performed faithfully, diligently, and to the best of your abilities.
You agree to use your best endeavors to promote the best interests of the Company and any Associated Entity.
You may be required within reason, to work outside of set duties and/or perform in more than one role.
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