Position Summary and Primary Objectives

• This position acts as an ambassador for the company Unified Communications Services business. This position interacts with the Microsoft, Networking, Voice and Audio/Video Collaboration LOB’s and Vendors to develop and maintain professional services collateral, Managed service offerings and Packaged Managed services based upon company’s Services Continuum.

• 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, education of the sales force, and sales support whilst maintaining contact with the National Solution Group for the development and rollout of new Unified Communications solutions.

Typical breakdown of Solutions Architect time:

•           25% Go to Market Definition & Execution

•           15% Product Development & Product Management

•           60% Presales

Main Duties / Key Accountabilities

·   Identifies opportunities and crafts appropriate solutions based on sound business principles and benefits.

·   Forms client relationships based on trust and respect.

·   Performs a leading role in the delivery of company's Unified Communications solutions to the market.

·   Advise Sales and Service teams on Converged Infrastructure Solutions deployment and management.

·   Plays a key role in client strategy formulation, business case development and project scoping.

·   Plays a supporting role in delivery and end user acceptance.

·   Liaison with product vendors and suppliers to develop new or change existing solutions to meet various market requirements.

·   Configures and builds quotations for Sales teams

Requirements: Education, Training and Experience

·   BS/MS in Computer Science or Engineering

·   Have a minimum of 4 years design and deployment experience in one or more Unified/Converged Solutions technology areas.

·   Have an excellent understanding of the Unified Solutions portfolio of IPT, Exchange, OCS, IPIC’s. DMS and related technologies.

·   Extensive experience with Microsoft Messaging Technologies

·   Domain knowledge in Manufacturing, Retail, Government,

   Telecommunications or Petrochemicals gained through practical

   business experience. 

·   Technical Certification to compliment experience (CCNA/CCNP/CCDA/CCDP/CCSP) + other relevant industry certifications.

·    Previous knowledge/experience in Voice, VOIP and IPT based solutions an absolute necessity.

·    Experience in the integration of multi-vendor solutions

·   Good working knowledge of shared services products from design through sales to operation.

·   Experience in services costing and solution design.

·   Experience in the development of standard operating procedures.

·   Business experience – advantage.

·   Tertiary education (Business Management, Marketing, Information Systems)  - advantage

·   Ongoing review and obtainment of knowledge and skills within technology and business spheres

Personal Attributes and Skills Required

·   Ability to apply intelligence and creativity in the development of innovative solutions to diverse and challenging business problems

·   Experience in successfully implementing significant customer centric business and technology solutions within large organizations

·   Analysis – identifies key issues and relationships from a wide base of information

·   Decision-making – ability to make balanced and sound decisions having

   evaluated the consequences of alternative solutions

·   Initiating action – being proactive, taking prompt action to accomplish

   objectives

·   Adaptability – maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in the work environment, adjusting to new structures, processes or cultures

·   Supportive of the team effort; willing to learn and share knowledge freely

·   Ability to sell business solutions consisting of project-based services

·   Planning and organisation – establishes course of action for self and others

·   Aligning performance for success – focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives

·   Have commitment, drive and flexibility in a highly competitive market.

·   Excellent customer management skills, with a strong focus on satisfaction. Plus the ability to effectively manage their expectations in challenging situations.

·   Excellent commercial skills, understanding technical risk associated with multi million rand opportunities and taking overall technical ownership of the

   solution.

·   Excellent technical leadership skills to enable implementation and support in multi vendor, multi disciplined environments.

·   Flexibility and commitment to customers

·   Good oral and written English