Azure Cloud & AI Solutions Architect

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Azure Cloud & AI Solutions Architect based in the United States.** The Azure Cloud & AI Solutions Architect will lead strategic presales engagements, helping enterprise clients transform complex business challenges into scalable, secure, and measurable technology solutions. This senior-level role sits at the intersection of Microsoft cloud architecture, artificial intelligence, data platforms, and consulting strategy. You will lead discovery workshops, engage executive stakeholders, and shape solutions across Azure, AI, security, integration, and Power Platform technologies. By connecting business objectives with technical feasibility, you will develop clear solution roadmaps, structured delivery plans, and commercially sound proposals. Working closely with sales and delivery teams, you will help secure new engagements while ensuring realistic scopes, manageable risks, and successful project handoffs. This is a remote opportunity suited to an experienced architect who combines deep technical expertise with strong consulting, communication, and commercial skills. ### Accountabilities - Lead enterprise discovery sessions lasting 60–120 minutes to identify business drivers, operational constraints, stakeholder priorities, and decision-making dynamics. - Challenge client assumptions constructively, translating feature requests into clearly defined business problems, measurable outcomes, and value propositions. - Design and present solutions across Microsoft Azure, data platforms, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, enterprise integration, and Power Platform. - Develop high-quality Statements of Work (SOWs), including scopes, assumptions, dependencies, exclusions, acceptance criteria, and change-control provisions. - Create phased delivery strategies that reduce risk through early validation of data readiness, technical feasibility, security requirements, and implementation constraints. - Translate AI, Copilot, and automation requests into practical use cases, measurable objectives, and clearly articulated business value hypotheses. - Communicate effectively with executive stakeholders, presenting financial value, business impact, and delivery risks to CFO and COO audiences while addressing architecture and feasibility with CTO and CISO stakeholders. - Facilitate technical whiteboarding sessions and defend architectural decisions across cloud infrastructure, data, AI, security, integrations, and Power Platform. - Structure engagements to balance profitability, resource utilization, delivery risk, and commercial considerations, including fixed-fee and time-and-materials models. - Collaborate with sales, delivery, and leadership teams to coordinate opportunities, validate deal readiness, and ensure smooth transitions from presales to implementation. - Identify delivery risks, scope gaps, and misaligned client expectations early, protecting project teams from avoidable complexity and ensuring commitments remain realistic. - Produce concise discovery summaries, phased delivery plans with decision gates, and DevOps-ready backlogs containing estimates, assumptions, and implementation requirements. ## Requirements: - At least 8 years of experience in Microsoft cloud, data, or application architecture, including 3–5 years in presales, advisory, or solution architecture roles. - Demonstrated experience leading enterprise discovery sessions, design workshops, and structured client problem-solving engagements. - Strong technical expertise across Azure cloud architecture, data platforms, AI solutions, enterprise security, integration patterns, and Power Platform. - Practical knowledge of Azure data technologies, including Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake, and Azure Data Factory. - Familiarity with applied AI solutions, including Azure OpenAI, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), AI agents, summarization, Azure AI Search, and AI evaluation strategies. - Understanding of enterprise integration technologies and patterns, including Azure API Management (APIM), Event Grid, Azure Functions, Logic Apps, and Container Apps. - Knowledge of Power Platform and Copilot Studio, including appropriate use cases, limitations, governance, and implementation considerations. - Ability to produce clear, enforceable scopes of work, concise discovery summaries, phased delivery plans, and delivery-ready backlogs with realistic estimates and assumptions. - Strong commercial awareness, including engagement margins, resource utilization, fixed-fee and time-and-materials pricing models, and risk allocation. - Excellent executive communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts in business terms. - Ability to guide client conversations beyond requested features to uncover underlying needs, constraints, and desired business outcomes. - Familiarity with structured problem-solving or design-thinking frameworks; certifications or training in LUMA, IDEO, IBM Enterprise Design Thinking, Microsoft Catalyst, or equivalent methodologies are desirable. - Experience working with a Microsoft-focused consulting partner is strongly preferred. - Exposure to Prosci or comparable organizational change management methodologies is an advantage. ## Benefits: - **Target on-target earnings (OTE): $250,000** for the advertised US opportunity. Compensation may vary for Canadian-based candidates. - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance. - 100% employer-paid employee medical premiums. - Generous and flexible paid time off (PTO). - Retirement plan options. - Ongoing training and professional development opportunities. - Fully remote work environment with flexible work arrangements. - Wellness programs designed to support employee well-being and work-life balance. - Additional details regarding compensation structure, benefit eligibility, and plan options will be provided during the hiring process.