Solution Architect

Overview

Microsoft Frontier Company implements Microsoft’s vision of an AI-first organization where people, processes, and technology are reimagined to unlock business value through innovation and productivity.  Industry Solutions Delivery (ISD) contributes by enabling customers adopt that vision though secure cloud foundations, AI transformation, modern workforce solutions, and industry-aligned innovation at scale.  

As a Solution Architect in the Europe North Area, you will focus on understanding customer business drivers and their underlying technical requirements, act as a trusted advisor partnering with others to develop AI-first approaches, innovative solutions, and engineering standards in order to set our sales and delivery teams up for success. 

Responsibilities

Business Development 

Serve as delivery contact point and collaborates with peers and other teams for specific countries (e.g., Sales, account-aligned team) to plan and scale the business with existing high-stake or strategic customers, by articulating/developing value propositions and IP-reuse to drive innovation and AI-enabled transformation. Channel resulting opportunities to accelerate transformation and navigate the Frontier organization.   

Pre-Sales Support 

Collaborates in the pre-sale process with internal stakeholders (e.g., Architect, Industry Advisors, Pursuit Lead, Consulting Account Executive, CSU/STU teams) by providing technical guidance, translating business requirements, re-using IP to help shape the deal and influence budgetary estimates. Lead Solution Review Meeting (SRM). Develops proposals or statement of work (SOW). Directly engages customers and internal teams to influence closing the deal.  

 
Provides input on risks and staffing and skill requirements for delivery to Deal Approvers, Resource Deployment, and/or Project Managers.  

Technical Delivery 

Participates in project planning in projects by collaborating with other subject matter experts in identifying the current and future business value of planned solutions. Assesses technical and business risks in programs and develops mitigations. Manages their schedule and communicates with project leads. Generates and delivers Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).   

Provides oversight and leadership on work streams or a partner team to implement solutions. Follows Industry Solutions processes in the implementation process and aligns solutions with the intent of the architecture and meeting customer/partner business goals.   

Manages complex escalations, analyzes situations, and coordinates appropriate resources to resolve issues by following delivery practices, considering cost implications, and engaging in conversations with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., Customer Service and Support, Project Manager, Solution Architect, Product Group) as needed.  

Proactively manages executive-level customer/partner/stakeholder relationships to identify and contribute to the drivers of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, determine the root cause, and establish recovery actions to improve the experience. Works with account team to ensure One Microsoft approach. Shares lessons learned with workgroup and consultant community.  

AI-First Delivery 

Drive excellence in delivery through standardized, repeatable delivery driving quality, speed and margin outcomes. Develop and enhance the AI first model. Treat AI as the default coworker, not an optional tool 

Practice Development  

Generates new and/or improvements to existing intellectual property. Connects gaps and patterns across business and technology areas to drive changes. Identifies which ideas should be culled, with consideration for scale across customers. Drives the re-use of intellectual property and recommends practices in both pre-sales and delivery. Participates and contributes to internal/external communities.   

Trusted Advisor  

 
Develops a network of internal/external relationships with senior-level decision makers to build influence in addressing problems/blockers and facilitating additional views on the matter of interest. Acts as an advisor to external stakeholders. Provides direction to facilitate relationships between others. Stays up to date on Microsoft’s technologies, products, and services in order to communicate Microsoft's mission, strategy, and capabilities. When appropriate, develops a strategic relationship with key stakeholders within the customer portfolio, often as part of a steering committee, to ensure service delivery is on track and major issues are being anticipated, identified, and managed.  

 
Uses evidence-based arguments that articulate complex concepts in a simple manner to respectfully challenge Microsoft and customers/partners when a decision or course of action will not produce optimal results. Leverages strategic expertise to encourage alternative approaches where applicable. Serves as the "technical conscience" to challenge the status quo and unrealistic expectations. Proactively resolves conflicts and seeks resolution to balance the overall outcome. Drives consensus where possible and leads decisions to resolve conflict when needed.  

 
Leads the adoption of Microsoft solutions technologies based on understanding of competitor solutions and how customer business value can be driven through Microsoft's offerings. Differentiates Microsoft's solutions in customer/partner conversations to influence the industry-wide direction for specific architecture(s).  

Thought Leadership  

 
Leads virtual teams around technologies and customer/partner challenges by sharing ideas, insight, and strategic, technical input with technical teams, internal communities across the field, and the larger virtual team across Microsoft using knowledge of Microsoft architectures and their context in the landscape.  

 
Participates in external architect community events (e.g., conferences, seminars, technical meetups, Webcasts, blogs, hackathons) and shares learnings with internal team. Acts a mentor to less experienced colleagues by educating them on technical and non-technical concepts and sharing practices. Demonstrates deep industry knowledge and drives recognition for Microsoft solutions through presentations and engagements with external audiences.  

Other 

Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field and experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., Security) 
• OR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field and experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., Security) 
• OR equivalent experience.
• Experience managing multiple projects or portfolios. 
• Experience leading blended, multidisciplinary teams. 

Additional or Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field and experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., Security) 
• OR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field and experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., Security) OR equivalent experience. 

• Technical sales experience.  
• Project management experience. 
• People management experience, including managing consultant practice managers, technical sales managers, and/or technical architect managers. 
• Technical or Professional Certification in Domain (e.g., Security).

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. 

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

Solution Architecture IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Sweden is kr 947,000.00 - kr 2,332,000.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/sweden-corporate-pay.html

Solution Architecture IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Sweden is kr 947,000.00 - kr 2,332,000.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/sweden-corporate-pay.html

Solution Architecture IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Norway is kr 980,000.00 - kr 2,370,000.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/norway-corporate-pay.html

Solution Architecture IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Denmark is kr 880,000.00 - kr 2,028,600.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/denmark-corporate-pay.html

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.