Principal Architect – Microsoft Cloud (Azure, Data & AI)

Publicis Sapient is a global digital transformation partner that for more than 30 years has guided some of the worlds largest organisations toward a digitally enabled future both in the way they work and the way they serve their customers. We help unlock value through a start-up mindset and modern methods fusing strategy consulting and customer experience with agile engineering and Data problem-solving creativity. United by our core values and purpose of helping people thrive in the brave pursuit of Next.

Our teams combine deep industry expertise with our SPEED capabilities Strategy Product Experience Engineering and Data & AI to tackle the biggest challenges clients are facing today. This is where transformation stops being a buzzword and becomes measurable outcomes for millions of members.

Our 20000 professionals in 70 offices worldwide combine experience across technology data sciences consulting and customer obsession to accelerate our clients businesses by designing the products and services their customers truly value. Our people are problem-solvers and collaborators leveraging human ingenuity and AI-driven tools to drive innovation.

Our 20000 professionals in 70 offices worldwide combine experience across technology data sciences consulting and customer obsession to accelerate our clients businesses by designing the products and services their customers truly value. Our people are problem-solvers and collaborators leveraging human ingenuity and AI-driven tools to drive innovation.

As a strategic Microsoft partner we co-innovate to deliver enterprise-scale transformation across theMicrosoft Intelligent Cloud spanningAzure Data AI Security and Copilot platforms.

Role Overview

We are hiring a Microsoft Center of Excellence Lead or a Solutions Technical Leader to define and drive the technical strategy for our Microsoft business globally.

This is asenior externally facing leadership roleat the intersection of:

• Executive technology leadership
• Azure Data and AI architecture
• Strategic deal shaping and co-innovation with Microsoft

You will act as thetechnical face of Publicis Sapient to clients and Microsoft shaping complex pursuits influencing innovation and scaling repeatable solutions across the Microsoft ecosystem.

What Youll Own :

CoE Leadership & Technical Strategy

• Lead theMicrosoft Center of Excellence defining technical vision across Azure Data AI and Copilot
• Establish a clear differentiated POV aligned to Microsoft priorities and solution plays
• Represent Publicis Sapient inCxO-level conversations and strategic Microsoft engagements

Strategic Deal Shaping & Commercial Impact

• Lead technical strategy forlarge complex multi-million-dollar transformation deals
• Shape solution architecture win themes and technical differentiation in priority pursuits
• Translate Microsoft platform capabilities intoclear business outcomes and commercial value
• Drive alignment between architecture decisions andAzure consumption platform adoption and client ROI

Enterprise Architecture Microsoft Intelligent Cloud

• Define and guide enterprise architectures across:
• Azure (IaaS PaaS containers integration modernization)
• Data Platforms (Microsoft Fabric analytics ecosystems)
• AI & Copilot (Azure OpenAI AI Studio ML Copilot stack)
• Agentic AI frameworks (Copilot Studio Semantic Kernel)
• Ensure solutions aresecure scalable resilient and cost-optimized
• Establishreference architectures reusable patterns and architecture decision frameworks
• Validate high-risk designs throughhands-on prototyping and POCs

Global V-Team Orchestration

• Orchestratecross-functional v-teamsacross sales engineering delivery partners and Microsoft stakeholders
• Operate effectively in amatrixed global environment leading without formal authority
• Align regional and global teams aroundtechnical strategy execution and outcomes

Innovation & First-of Solution Leadership

• Leadfirst-of-their-kind and high-ambiguity transformation programs
• Co-innovate with Microsoft and clients to bring emerging technologies into production
• Build rapid prototypes and differentiated demos to accelerate decision-making
• Convert innovative work intorepeatable assets and scalable offerings

Co-Sell Solution Plays & Scalable IP

• Buildco-sell-ready repeatable solutionsaligned to Microsoftsolution areas and solution plays
• Develop scalable offerings that drivejoint pipeline revenue growth and market differentiation
• Create reusableIP accelerators demo libraries and reference architectures
• Ensure alignment to Microsoft GTM motions and ecosystem priorities

Microsoft Ecosystem Leadership

• Build deep relationships across Microsoftsales partner customer success and engineering teams
• Align to Microsoft priorities co-sell motions and industry solution plays
• Provide field insight toinfluence Microsoft product direction and innovation
• Represent client needs in joint Microsoft engagements

Internal Technical Leadership

• Act as thetechnical north staracross sales pre-sales and engineering
• Elevate capabilities acrossAzure architecture AI solutioning and modern engineering practices
• Coach teams to buildscalable differentiated and executable solutions

What You Bring :

Experience

• 12 years inenterprise architecture CoE leadership or senior technical leadership roles
• Proven track record shaping and winninglarge complex transformation deals
• Experience operating as a trusted advisor toC-suite stakeholders

Microsoft Technical Expertise -

Hands-on depth across:

• Azure platform(infrastructure platform services integration modernization)
• Data platforms(Fabric analytics enterprise data ecosystems)
• AI platforms(Azure OpenAI AI Studio ML Copilot ecosystem)

Track record delivering:

• Enterprise-scale cloud architectures
• Production-grade AI solutions
• Scalable repeatable solution patterns

Commercial & Executive Capability

• Ability to translate technology intobusiness value commercial outcomes and platform growth
• Strong executive communication and storytelling skills
• Experience linking technical strategy toclient transformation and Microsoft ecosystem growth

Leadership Profile

• Strong cross-industry perspective with pattern recognition and reuse
• Ability to lead through ambiguity andpioneer new solution spaces
• Proven experience orchestratingglobal teams and partner ecosystems

Preferred Differentiators

• Microsoft certifications (Azure Architect AI Engineer Data Engineer)
• Established relationships across the Microsoft ecosystem
• Experience withCopilot GenAI and agentic AI architectures
• Proven track record buildingscalable IP and co-sell solutions
• Thought leadership across events publications or industry forums
• Industry depth in Financial Services Retail Healthcare Energy or Telecom

Why This Role

• Lead and scalePublicis Sapients Microsoft Center of Excellence globally
• Operate as asenior technical leader shaping strategy deals and innovation
• Partner directly with Microsoft to influencejoint solutions and market impact
• Build the next generation ofAzure Data AI Copilot-driven enterprise transformation

Pay Range: $200000 - $270000

The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Publicis Sapient. Actual range for this position may differ depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself. Benefits of working here: Flexible vacation policy; time is not limited allocated or accrued 16 paid holidays throughout the year Generous parental leave and new parent transition program Tuition reimbursement Corporate gift matching program

As part of our dedication to an inclusive and diverse workforce Publicis Sapient is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race color national origin ethnicity gender protected veteran status disability sexual orientation gender identity or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability you may contact us at . Your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.