The Solution Architect is a consultative sales, technology and solution focused specialist who creates great client intimacy with their technical expertise. In addition to being viewed as a trusted technical advisor to the client, the Solution Architect will also have regional responsibility for solution design, business development, transition of projects from presales to delivery, and sales support while maintaining national responsibility for the development and rollout of new solutions. The Solution Architect provides pre-sales technical support and expertise in analyzing customer requirements, in conjunction with the customer’s current network and system capabilities, and ensuring technical solutions will accomplish the customer's objectives.

The role requires strong customer engagement on medium sized clients, which requires the ability to partake in scope of work determination, product pricing and RFP/RFI responses. The individual works closely with the sales account manager throughout this process and will also assist in the decision to pursue or abort a deal. A strong vendor relationship is required to ensure an understanding of the vendor’s products business/ technology positioning. The individual is expected to manage customer proof of concept (POC) initiatives, which will require the involvement of the appropriate resources, and setup and delivery of the POC. In order to obtain a working customer solution, the position acts as a bridge between the customer, delivery resources and project management. On all medium sized engagements, the Solution Architect owns the proposed solution, transitions the build / implementation to the delivery team, however remains engaged with the client through transfer to managed services and returns as “thought leaders” for the next opportunity. All processes should comply with all defined project management methodologies.

Progression is possible vertically to Senior Solution Architect, Practice Manager, or laterally to Consultant or Senior/Project Manager or into the Sales Organization.


Major Duties & Responsibilities
• Develop an understanding of this client’s market positioning, vision and solution value add
• Provide sales support and solution expertise on qualified opportunities including all managed service offerings specific to the practice
• Look for opportunities in other areas, especially managed services, and pursue these with the appropriate Account Manager
• Assume responsibility for technical pre-sales solution design and related justifications within the context of defined and client-approved requirements and constraints.
• Work with Account Managers on client proposals and when assigned to opportunities the presales deliverables (BOM, SOW, Diagram & PCT).
• Working together with Sales and Project Management, define the roadmap and milestones for each project, and the required involvement of delivery teams
• Participate in strategic account planning teams for key clients
• Maintain specified billable targets through the delivery of consultative services such as Surveyors, IT consulting, engagement management, and applicable components of key delivery engagements (end user training, etc.)

Qualifications/Experience required
Education/Qualifications Required
• A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Accounting, Math, Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Cisco CCNP and Cisco CCDP certifications are desirable as well as HP, EMC, and Sun sales certifications.

Work Experience Required
• 5-10 years experience in the IT industry with 5 years enterprise Pre-Sales experience.
• 3 years exposure to Systems Administration (NT or UNIX) is required.
• Overall technical leadership in at least one major network project is required.
• Significant technical involvement in at least 3 major network projects is necessary.
• Highly developed technical capability across a broad range of products / solutions