Principal Solutions Architect (AWS)

About The Role

• Assist with the definition and management the Solution Architecture strategy and methodology for the organisation
• Assist with the development of architecture standards, principles and best practice aimed at meeting the needs of mid-sized organisations
• Coach and continuously nurture a team of solution design experts with energy and passion in both day-to-day operation and through change.
• Assist the Practice Lead to ensure that customer insight that enables differentiation, repeatability and commercial advantage are fed back into the portfolio & propositions team to help improve market differentiation.
• Ensure that Solution designs where possible deliver our ambition to be >70% repeatable and bespoke elements are costed specifically outside of that.
• Implement and operate successful working practices which deliver both an efficient solution architecture function as well as delivering industry leading services with a high level of customer experience.
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders such as our Propositions teams, and Customer Success and Growth teams as well as external Partners, vendors, and suppliers to evolve our proposition ensuring it remains relevant to both new and existing customers.

Teams to collaborate with

• Portfolio and Propositions - collaborate to design and deliver portfolio and solutions that meet documented customer business outcomes and deliver strategic proposition outcomes. Work together to build Service Descriptions where appropriate.
• Customer Success and Growth - support team with technical and solution expertise to help translate customer needs into high level solution designs.
• Strategic Alliances - collaborate to strengthen and expand existing alliances with partners and establish new alliances to drive further market expansion.
• Customer Experience and Managed Services - collaborate to ensure solutions are designed to enable a smooth service transition.

About You

Behavioural competencies - organisational and behavioural fit.

• Flexible and creative to take considered risks.
• Learn and adapt quickly to changing situations.
• Self-motivated and able to work under pressure.
• Ability to travel to different sites and locations on a weekly basis.
• Manages conflict and challenges in an open and constructive manner.

Critical competencies - technical fit

• Widely recognised as an authority internally and by external peers for knowledge and experience related to Solutions Architecture design and leadership.
• Be a thought leader and technology visionary, passionate about understanding the business challenge and looking at innovative ways to resolve through the use of technology, insight, analysis and experience services.
• Substantial experience in the IT Managed Service industry with expert knowledge in areas of Cloud, Security, Network and Workplace solutions
• Strong awareness of the Cloud, Security and Network Services market and an understanding of the technologies and skills needed to deliver high quality customer service.
• A strategic thinker with experience in the development, implementation, and management of the entire solution architecture life cycle.
• Proven track record of managing customers at senior levels both from an opportunity and service perspective.
• Strong oral, presentation, and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skill with the ability to build credibility quickly at all levels as well as negotiate, influence, and persuade where required.
• Experience and proven track record of product development from an engineering perspective
• Faces conflict and challenge in an open and constructive manner.
• Flexible, creative, and innovative, willing to take considered risks and learn and adapt.
• Comfortable dealing with a diverse range of people at all levels of the business both internally and externally
• Is self-motivated and able to work under pressure.
• Strong AWS Design skill.
• Strong Linux Skills.
• Strong Development Skills, particularly when using AWS Tooling.

Our Vision

Our vision is to become the most trusted technology solutions partner; renowned for being the best and brightest, having lasting impact with our customers and delivering exceptional returns to our stakeholders.

Position Summary

The Principal Solutions Architect role is to ensure and enhance a culture of solution and design excellence to create award winning customer solutions across our technical practices. The Principal Solutions Architect will serve along with a small team as solution/technical advisor for Claranet’s cloud solutions, providing guidance and support on technology solutions that meet their business objective and ensures superior customer experience.

Role Mission

Claranet’s strategy is to build long-term, trusted relationships with its customers by delivering market-leading, integrated managed services. The Principal Solutions Architect will serve as a technical advisor for Claranet’s cloud solutions.

Objectives and Key Results

• Contribute to the target of 70% of services are scalable and repeatable through the Opportunity Solution Design cycle.
• Ensures design methodologies are using industry best practice and consistent where possible across the team.
• Ensures that products and services are engineered to the leading market standards, using where possible repeatable designs.
• Promotes the outcome of Claranet Managed Solutions as the design outcome where possible.
• Supports Alliance plans in areas such as partner engagements and technical accreditations.