Solutions Architect - CoreAzure

Methods Business and Digital Technology Limited

Methods is a 100M IT Services Consultancy who has partnered with a range of central government departments and agencies to transform the way the public sector operates in the UK. Established over 30 years ago and UK-based we apply our skills in transformation delivery and collaboration from across the Methods Group to create end-to-end business and technical solutions that are people-centred safe and designed for the future.

Our human touch sets us apart from other consultancies system integrators and software houses - with people technology and data at the heart of who we are we believe in creating value and sustainability through everything we do for our clients staff communities and the planet.

We support our clients in the success of their projects while working collaboratively to share skill sets and solve problems. At Methods we have fun while working hard; we are not afraid of making mistakes and learning from them.

Predominantly focused on the public-sector Methods is now building a significant private sector client portfolio.

Methods was acquired by the Alten Group in early 2022.

Position: Solutions Architect

Reports to: Head of Delivery

The Technical Architect role is created to support the growth of the company and a desire to secure and build upon new and existing business opportunities. The role will help ensure our technical solutions are robust commercially viable and fully address the customer requirements.

The role will support the whole lifecycle from initial engagement with pre-sales and customers to proposal solution design and delivery. The opportunities for growth and development in this role are substantial as Methods itself continues to grow and develop.

The role will focus on the development of Microsoft solutions and cloud platforms and will have responsibility for the technical solutions and will retain that responsibility from initial customer engagement through to implementation and handover to Methods delivery teams.

The role will require someone with extensive technical experience good interpersonal skills and the ability to explain potentially complex technical solutions to a business audience.

The role will require someone with good all-round ability to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines whilst at the same time comprehending complex and interdependent business requirements and to ensure these are delivered in a cost effective and secure manner.

This is an ideal opportunity for a technical professional looking for a new and challenging architect position one which will make best use of their existing skills and experience and also further their development.

Responsibilities

Involvement in initial customer engagements to articulate Methods capabilities and help shape customer technical strategy and requirements.

Own the technical solution required to meet a customers specification liaising proactively with colleagues and external partners as necessary to deliver technically elegant feasible and commercially viable solutions.

Construction of a cost model to support the implementation and ongoing delivery of the solution.

Own and manage any risks associated with solution development and implementation.

Undertake where required authorship and/or review of technical elements of proposal documentation

Take the technical lead in the presentation of technical and commercial solutions to a customer in collaboration with the sales team.

Provide technical support in contract negotiations and development.

Ensure effective handover of technical solution to delivery teams in conjunction with the Programme Managers.

Contribute to the development of Methods technical solutions and capabilities keeping abreast of industry developments and proposing innovation.

Quality Assurance of Technical Solutions proposed and /or implemented by Technical Architects or Engineers where required.

Conceptualising and designing complex solutions covering multiple sites and including hosted Data Centre infrastructures.

Perform presales activity in support of the Business Development Solution Architecture and Sales teams.

The role requires detailed design skills specific to the individuals technology specialisation complemented by an architecture-level appreciation of all relevant complementary technologies.

Initiate an ongoing proactive approach working alongside colleagues in developing and delivering service offerings based on industry best practice and new-to-market technologies.

Understand and develop the opportunities within their customer accounts.

Maintain a broad understanding across Microsoft technologies and be willing to complete training (including the passing of relevant exams and accreditations) in Microsoft technologies that are identified as pertinent to your role and to maintain and gain Methods certifications and accreditations.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) in agreed technologies in line with Methods solutions and designs.

Mentor and guide team to build and develop their skills to meet the requirements of Methods and customers.

Work with Management team to build repeatable robust policies processes and approaches to enable consistent and best practices solution delivery.

Provide support to Managed Services and Delivery Engineers as SME

All other duties as required.

Essential skills

Excellent presentation and communication (verbal and written) skills

Self-starter with the ability to appropriately prioritise and plan complex work in a rapidly changing environment.

Results oriented with ability to produce products that deliver organisational benefit.

Effective design and proposal documentation skills

Strong conceptual and analytical skills - demonstrating outside-the-box problem solving skills.

SC clearance or willingness to gain

Microsoft Expert Level Exams and Certifications

Subject Matter Expert Exams and Certifications

Experience required

At least 5 years in a customer facing role delivering and supporting technology solutions based on Microsoft technologies

In Depth knowledge & experience of various Microsoft technologies with SME knowledge in agreed areas

o Azure DevOps & automation

o Azure Platform

o Azure Integration Services

o Azure Fabric

o Azure App Service

o Azure Kubernetes Service

o Azure Entra ID

o Azure AI Foundry

o .NET development

o Database development & administration

In Depth knowledge & experience of creating a technical design to deploy and implement without guidance

In Depth understanding of Microsoft Cloud Platform including services security capabilities technology applications IT Issues best practice standards methodologies and processes

Proven ability to work collaboratively in projects and demonstrate the ability to undertake technical leadership

Team player with experience leading and collaborating cross-team to ensure successful delivery of solutions.

Lead on technical workshops & solutions across multiple technologies

Commercial awareness to create proposals and draft responses to tenders

Significant Pre-sales experience in discussing solution and technologies with customers

Experience of presenting technical solutions to customers and stakeholders

The role is Hybrid - Remote with some travel required as and when to client site/Methods offices.

This role will require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website . If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria then your employment may be delayed or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

Benefits

Methods is passionate about its people; we want our colleagues to develop the things they are good at and enjoy.

By joining us you can expect:

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience
• Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society
• Strong inspiring and thought-provoking leadership
• A supportive and collaborative environment

As well as this we offer:

Development access to LinkedIn Learning a management development programme and training

Wellness 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme

Flexible Working including home working and part time

Social office parties breakfast Tuesdays monthly pizza Thursdays Thirsty Thursdays and commitment to charitable causes

Time Off 25 days of annual leave a year plus bank holidays with the option to buy 5 extra days each year

Volunteering 2 paid days per year to volunteer in our local communities or within a charity organisation

Pension Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution

Discretionary Company Bonus based on company and individual performance

Life Assurance of 4 times base salary

Private Medical Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)

Worldwide Travel Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay

Travel season ticket loan cycle to work scheme

For a full list of benefits please visit our website (