Partner Cloud Solution Architect - Security

Job Description

Overview

The Global Channel Partner Sales GCPS team is the sales organisation accountable for the commercial partner business at Microsoft. Our mission is to build and sell Microsoft Cloud applications, services and devices with partners, empowering people and organisations to achieve more.

As a Partner Solution Architect you will guide the development of business solutions, provide deep technical insight, and accelerate the growth of Microsoft technology priorities within our partner ecosystem. You will play a pivotal role in helping our most significant partners design and implement innovative, scalable, secure and efficient cloud architectures that meet market needs.By using your skills in technical leadership, cloud computing, software development, problem solving and systems architecture, you will drive business impact by enabling digital transformation, optimising performance and driving innovation through effective use of cloud technologies. You will work closely with partners to understand their technical requirements and business objectives, guide them through architectural design sessions, develop proofs of concept, and help them transition from legacy systems to modern cloud environments. You will ensure that their solutions are optimised for performance, security and cost efficiency.This role supports the United Kingdom and Ireland channel.

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realise our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• As a Partner Solution Architect you willDesign cloud architectures that provide robust, scalable and secure cloud infrastructure tailored to partner needs, enabling partners to handle growth and changing demands efficiently.
• Lead architectural design sessions, facilitating collaborative planning to shape effective and efficient cloud solutions that align with business goals and technical requirements, and encouraging innovation and structured problem solving.
• Develop proofs of concept and pilots that demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of proposed cloud solutions, building partner confidence and driving adoption while identifying and addressing potential issues early.
• Provide technical guidance and support throughout implementation, helping partners optimise their solutions, enhance performance and security, and maximise the value of their cloud investments.
• Transition partners from legacy systems to modern cloud platforms, improving efficiency, reducing operational risk and helping them stay competitive by adopting current technologies and cloud best practices.
• Drive partner enablement by guiding broader technical teams so that technical pre sales, deployment and consumption are built into solution development. Coach partners on building resilient services, managing technical issues and competing effectively. Clearly articulate the value of Microsoft Cloud services to partners, using a strong understanding of business processes and the ability to translate technical concepts into business outcomes.
• Ensure strong integration with the wider Microsoft channel ecosystem, working closely with Partner Sales Specialists and Partner Development Managers to drive shared plans and positive outcomes that align with Microsoft strategy across the United Kingdom and Ireland area.

Qualifications

Education and experience

• Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in technical consulting, solution architecture, technical pre sales or product development, with a track record of designing and delivering cloud solutions with partners.
• Hands on experience across Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 in real customer or partner engagements.

Microsoft certifications

Core cloud architecture

• Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate or equivalent experience in Azure administration and operations.
• Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert, demonstrating the ability to design identity, governance, monitoring, data, business continuity and infrastructure solutions on Azure.

Security, compliance and identity

• Microsoft Certified Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals SC 900 or equivalent baseline understanding of Microsoft security concepts.
• One or more associate level security certifications such as: Microsoft Certified Security Operations Analyst Associate SC 200; Microsoft Certified Identity and Access Administrator Associate SC 300; Microsoft Certified Information Protection Administrator Associate SC 400; Preferably Microsoft Certified Cybersecurity Architect Expert SC 100 or a clear plan to achieve it, demonstrating the ability to design end to end security strategies that cover Zero Trust, governance, risk and compliance, security operations, data security and application security.

Business applications and low code

• One or more certifications in Dynamics 365 or Power Platform, for example Power Platform Solution Architect Expert, to support end to end business solution design across Azure, data, Power Platform and Dynamics.

Frameworks, standards and methodologies

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework, Well Architected Framework and Microsoft Cybersecurity Reference Architecture, and the ability to apply these in partner design sessions.
• Practical understanding of Zero Trust principles, multi factor authentication, identity centric access control and security operations with Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR.
• Familiarity with leading security standards and regulations such as: NIST cybersecurity concepts and controls; ISO 27001 style information security management practices; NIS2 and related United Kingdom and European Union regulatory expectations for critical sectors and service providers.

Security and SOC experience

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and Azure security capabilities, including information protection, identity protection, endpoint protection and cloud workload protection.
• Experience with managed security services or modern security operations centres, including log ingestion, analytics, incident response and threat hunting with Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR.
• Understanding of security governance, data access models, incident response best practices and the Microsoft Security Well Architected Framework.

Partner, commercial and channel skills

• Experience working with or within managed service providers or systems integrators, ideally in a partner or channel facing role.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical concepts into business outcomes for executives, sales teams and technical stakeholders.
• Ability to guide partners on building resilient managed services, handling competitive situations and aligning to Microsoft Cloud value propositions across Azure, Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365.
• Experience collaborating with sales roles such as Partner Development Managers and Partner Sales Specialists to build joint plans, drive pipeline and land usage in the United Kingdom and Ireland market.

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.