Modernisation - Cloud Architect

Avanade is growing rapidly in Microsoft’s Mid-market and Corporate space (the upper end of what Microsoft calls its SME&C segment) and has embarked in a journey to transform the IT Services market in that space.  

Avanade is already serving hundreds of SME&C clients across AI Business Solutions, Cloud & AI Platforms, and Security. Our focus now is structure and repeatability — packaging 25 years of enterprise experience into scalable, predictable motions designed specifically for SME&C. To enable this- we have launched a dedicated SME&C Business Unit which will have Solution specific ‘Catalyst Squads’ which will be virtual teams taking an opportunity for prepackaged and repeatable ‘Catalyst Solutions’ from qualified lead through to delivery completion. 

The Modernisation- Cloud Architect is the technical design authority within Catalyst Squad – responsible for translating the transformation outcomes defined by the Solution Specialist & GTM into a technically sound, deliverable Catalyst Solution design. This role owns the platform architecture, integration patterns, delivery specification and technical quality of every Catalyst Solution engagement in the squad. 

This is a productized, opinionated role. The postholder doesn't design from first principles every time – they know the Catalyst Solution technical patterns, apply them fast and configure them to the customer's context. They are technically excellent and commercially aware: they design for deliverability and margin, not just elegance. 

Approximately 40–50% of capacity is in active technical pre-sales – running architecture workshops, building demo environments and providing the technical conviction that gives customers and Microsoft STU confidence in the solution. The remainder is spent on delivery: overseeing technical quality and resolving architecture issues. 

Works in close collaboration with the Solution Specialist & GTM (who owns the transformation narrative) and the Squad Service Delivery Lead (who owns capacity and factory alignment).  

Reports to the Squad Lead / Solution Specialist. 

Key Accountabilities

Technical solution design 

• Design technically sound Catalyst Solution architectures within bundle parameters – translating outcome requirements into platform specifications the squad can implement 

• Own the delivery specifications: component configuration, integration design, data architecture, security baseline and platform standards for each engagement 

• Run architecture and technical discovery sessions with customer IT teams and Microsoft STU counterparts 

• Validate proposed solutions are deliverable within bundle scope and timeline before contract – no surprises post-signature 

Pre-sales technical execution 

• Build and configure live Catalyst Solution demo environments tailored to customer context – demonstrating platform depth, not just concept slides 

• Co-present at the technical level with Microsoft STU, SSPs and DSSs; provide Avanade's architecture credibility alongside Microsoft's product capability 

• Produce the technical components of the business case: platform metrics, integration complexity, migration risk and Azure consumption architecture 

Delivery technical oversight 

• Maintain technical quality across active engagements – reviewing designs, resolving architecture blockers and ensuring delivery meets Catalyst Solution specification 

• Personally resolve technical issues that require senior judgment on complex configuration and integration challenges 

• Ensure Microsoft platform consumption architecture correctly meets Azure/M365 consumption targets through delivery 

IP and accelerator contribution 

• Identify reusable technical patterns from delivery – integration designs, security baselines, configuration templates – and flag for IP harvest 

• Apply Catalyst Solution accelerators, reference architectures and Catalyst Solutions IP as the default; build bespoke only where genuinely required 

• Stay current on Microsoft platform roadmap changes affecting Catalyst Solution technical design; update delivery specifications accordingly 

Key Performance Indicators 

• Microsoft platform architecture: Deep, current technical expertise in at least one Microsoft CSA domain – sufficient to design, configure and oversee delivery of a Catalyst Solution to specification. 

• Productized design discipline: Designs within bundle parameters; distinguishes in-scope configuration from bespoke development and protects delivery economics through technical scope discipline. 

• Integration and platform engineering: Hands-on design capability across integration patterns, API architecture and the Microsoft platform stack relevant to the squad's domain. 

• Pre-sales technical execution: Builds and delivers compelling demo environments and technical business case components; credible with customer architects and Microsoft STU simultaneously. 

• IP and accelerator orientation: Treats reusable technical patterns as a primary output of every engagement – applies existing IP first, contributes new IP systematically. 

Education, Certifications and Experience 

• 8+ years in technology consulting with a strong technical delivery track record in at least one Microsoft CSA domain 

• Demonstrated experience designing and overseeing delivery of complex Microsoft platform solutions – not pre-sales architecture only 

• Active Microsoft certifications in the relevant CSA domain required (e.g. SC-200, AZ-305, MB-700, MS-721 depending on studio) 

• Experience in a productized or fixed-scope delivery model – designing within bundle parameters, not always from a blank sheet 

• Mid-market delivery experience preferred; comfortable with faster cycles and leaner governance than large enterprise