This role guides clients through the strategic adoption and optimization of cloud solutions to drive long-term business success for Defense Industrial Base, State and Local Government and commercial organizations aligning cloud initiatives with organizational goals, the strategist translates technical decisions into tangible business outcomes, such as improving operational efficiency through Azure automation or enhancing collaboration with Microsoft 365. The position blends visionary planning with real-world application, offering practical examples demonstrating measurable value.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute cloud strategies tailored to client business objectives.
- Partners with the sales team to deliver tailored technical solutions, including developing the SOW (Statement of Work) to drive cohesive projects that meet tactical and strategic customer objectives.
- Translate technical solutions into business value through clear, outcome-driven communication.
- Collaborate with C-level stakeholders to align cloud roadmaps with defined strategic goals.
- Provide real-world examples and use cases to demonstrate the impact of cloud adoption.
- Identify, scope, and refer opportunities for additional sales that provide Planet's offerings that contribute to our customers’ success.
- Must have a deep technical understanding of core Microsoft technology pillars (Modern Workplace, Azure, CRM, Dev) and articulate it to both Technical and Business audiences.
- Understands how to leverage Microsoft Technology to solve customer problems.
- Help customers, sales teams, and others understand key strategic technology decisions and why they are essential
- Ensures that the technical solution matches the customer's objectives, laying the foundation for a successful implementation and a compelling customer success story.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field is preferred, but is not required. Commensurate experience in technical sales will be considered instead of formal education.
- A master’s degree (MBA or MIS) is a plus.
- 7–10 years of IT experience, with 3–5 years in cloud strategy or architecture with proven success in client-facing roles, especially in consulting or digital transformation.
- Must have deep technical understanding of M365, Azure, and/or Dynamics.
- Deep understanding of cloud computing models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and deployment types (public, private, hybrid, multi-cloud)
- Expertise in major cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), with the ability to help customers understand the benefits of Microsoft Azure and other Microsoft technologies.
- Proficiency in cloud architecture design, including scalability, availability, and disaster recovery planning
- Strong knowledge of cloud security principles, compliance standards (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA), and identity/access management
- Experience with cloud migration strategies, tools, and methodologies (e.g, lift and shift, re-platforming, refactoring)
- Ability to conduct cost-benefit analysis and optimize cloud spend using the Azure Cost Management tools
- Understanding of containerization and orchestration technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, ECS, AKS, GKE)
- Experience with monitoring and performance tuning using tools like Azure Monitor
- Knowledge of data management in the cloud, including storage, backup, and data lifecycle policies
- Understanding of M365 Migration and Security architecture and principals.
- Ability to evaluate and integrate third-party cloud services and APIs
- Familiarity with cloud-native application development and microservices architecture
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to align cloud strategies with business goals
- Experience with cloud governance frameworks and policy enforcement
- Ability to lead technical workshops, create architectural documentation, and present to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (preferred).
- Additional certifications in Azure, Power Platform, or enterprise architecture (e.g., TOGAF, The Open Group Architecture Framework) are advantageous.
Preferred Professional Licenses/Certifications:
Skills Required
- 7-10 years of IT experience
- 3-5 years in cloud strategy or architecture
- Deep technical understanding of M365, Azure, and/or Dynamics
- Proficiency in cloud architecture design
- Experience with cloud migration strategies, tools, and methodologies
- Strong knowledge of cloud security principles
- Ability to conduct cost-benefit analysis and optimize cloud spend
- Understanding of containerization and orchestration technologies
- Ability to lead technical workshops and create architectural documentation
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- Additional certifications in Azure, Power Platform, or enterprise architecture
What We Do
Planet Technologies was built around investing in and developing long term relationships with our customers and corporate partners. We work hard to keep our staff trained on the latest technologies, policy and operational issues impacting today’s federal and corporate environments. Being an expert on the technology we support is the first step, more importantly is understanding your business mission and integrating technology into a long term strategic plan. Planet Technologies is the leading provider of Microsoft consulting services to public sector and commercial organizations. Our team of Microsoft experts provides support for Office 365, CRM, SharePoint, System Center, SQL, and Windows 7-10. Planet has significant experience in deploying business intelligence, cloud services, unified communications, records management, workflow automation, collaboration, systems management, virtualization and more. A Global Leader in Microsoft Technologies: Few companies can compare to Planet Technologies when it comes to an established relationship with Microsoft. As a company with a 100% focus on the Microsoft platform, we know Microsoft technologies and we are a trusted partner. As a team of experienced and certified Microsoft consultants and Microsoft trainers, we are the best partner to help your staff get up to speed quickly and cost effectively in order to make your business more productive with your Enterprise Agreement investment. Advanced certifications • Microsoft Partner with five gold and ten silver competencies • CPLS Microsoft certified training Highly skilled staff • Microsoft Certified Solutions Masters (MCSM) • Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) • Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCT) • Microsoft CRM Rangers • 150+ Microsoft Consultants We are a full-service, independent training company providing a range of IT and developer training services based on Microsoft technologies to individuals and organizations.
