Technical Solutions Architect
Paddock Wood
Circa £50k
VR/02954R

The Technical Solutions Architect is responsible for owning and shaping the overarching technical strategy for clients, including design and estimation. The role is also responsible for providing technical assurance as part of all major business change works.
Responsibilities of the role:
· Be aware of, and fully engaged with, future and current technology trends, feeding back into the business' solution(s) and service stacks via Service Design activities
· Work with the business' Marketing & Sales teams to develop content on:
o Solution stack / Technology awareness
o Business-enabling technologies
· Propose, design, scope and deliver infrastructure and environment projects, based on a full understanding of their clients' business objectives
· Provide solutions assistance to other team members where necessary
· Use the team's collective knowledge and experience to create and maintain best practice project templates to improve, and achieve, consistent project delivery
· Participate in ensuring projects changes are centrally documented and communicated
· Working with the Service Desk Insights team:
o Ensure that information systems are secure from threat (proactive and design)
o Identify and address security threats (reactive and resolution)
· Regularly communicate with the client and the Projects Manager regarding project progress
· Enter all work as activities, service tickets, or project tickets into ConnectWise
· Involvement in developing project plans, goals, and budgets: Working with the Projects Manager to identify additional resources needed and develop schedules
· Provide input to the customer IT Roadmap(s)/IT strategy process
· Solution stack design
· Work with all relevant departments to conduct R&D sessions to:
o Enhance existing solution stack / Develop new innovations
o Ensure that the technical components/operational improvements are in sync with the business needs of the organisation
· Working with key stakeholders to develop Internal process, support material and In-house training for both new services and existing service evolution, ensuring a smooth adoption for all relevant Internal departments and delivery of value back to the client
· Contribute to R&D:
o Identifying Innovation and development needs based on customer, industry and technology trends
o Schedule R&D sessions ensuring milestones and outcomes are set and kept to
o Handing over new/upgraded services to the service desk

Accountabilities:
· Provide consultancy on, and implementation of, technology solutions/designs/costs, and expected benefits, to meet business objectives
· Analyse the scope and expected organisational impact of information system change
· Produce high-level component specifications and translate these into technical proposals for implementation using the preferred product stack
· Evaluate existing systems and provide advice on how to meet organisational requirements, understanding their roadmap and lifecycle
· Preparation and delivery of solutions to align with criteria set out by the business in line with the IT strategy:
o Ensure the project objectives and requirements are clear and agreed upon by all team members
o Participate with the implementation team to ensure that risks are identified, communicated, and mitigated to assist in projects being delivered successfully through to production
o Improve customer perception and satisfaction by providing a professional technical consultancy service though to handover
· Work closely with appropriate department heads to choose compatible design solutions for managed service clients

Key competencies:
· Professional IT Certifications, such as: Microsoft MCP, MCSA, or MCSE, Citrix CCEA or CCIA, SonicWall CSSA, Cisco CCNA, or VMware VCP
· Microsoft Solutions Stack knowledge and experience (MS365 and Azure)
· ITIL Foundation Qualifications
· Detailed understanding of networking and NetSec principles
· Knowledge and experience in cross-functional project management methods and techniques
· Wide knowledge of IT applications, processes, software and equipment
· Strong organisational, presentation, and customer service skills
· Skill in planning and preparing written communications
· Interpersonal skills: such as telephony skills, communication skills, active listening and customer-care
· Ability to multi-task and adapt to changes quickly
· Service awareness of all the organisation’s key IT services for which support is being provided
· Understanding of support tools, techniques, and how technology is used to provide IT services
· Positive and passionate about technology and how it can enable users, help customers and provide business value