Technical Architect at Dimension Data

Job description

The Technical Architect is a technical solution crafter for clients in the Dimension Data business. The Technical Architect has broad product knowledge integrated with strong technology understanding. The individual may focus on a particular area of technology or domain and associated products.

This employee’s primary responsibility will be the overall technical design and build of the custom elements of the solution. This will include the ability to design the physical domain from the communications layer, to audio visual, video conferencing, media (resource management, digital signage, streaming, etc.) and all cloud services for hybrid solutions.

• Solution design
• The Technical Architect is a consultative sale, technology and solution focused specialist who has the ability to create excellent client relationships with their technical expertise. In addition to being viewed as a trusted technical advisor to the client, The Technical Architect will also have responsibility for solution design, business development, and transition of projects from presales to delivery, and sales support. The Technical Architect provides pre-sales technical support and expertise in analysing client requirements, in conjunction with the client’s current network and system capabilities and ensuring technical solutions will accomplish the client's objectives. This individual will work with Solutions Architects to produce a technical specification for the custom development and systems integration requirements for the solution. They will develop or produce the technical design document to match the solution design specifications.
• Contribute to proposals
• These employees demonstrate strong client engagement skills with clients of a mid-complexity base. This requires the ability to participate or lead in scope of work determination, product pricing and RFP/RFI responses. The Technical Architect works closely with the Client Manager throughout this process. They assist with the determination of outsourcing, product pricing and collaborates with the Client Manager to develop an implementation solution.
• Product sales
• The individual is expected to achieve products sales to meet specified financial goals according to specified financial metrics. The Technical Architect has a responsibility for influencing and guiding members of the Sales team and to ensure that they are equipped to close deals. They also need to maintain visibility of forecasting and sales pipeline in order to influence potential deals.
• Proof of concept
• A strong vendor relationship is required to ensure an understanding of the vendor’s products business and technology positioning. The individual is expected to manage client proof of concept (POC) initiatives, which will require the involvement of the appropriate resources, and setup and delivery of the POC. To obtain a working client solution the individual acts as a bridge between the client, Engineers and Consultants (technical solution viability) and Project Management teams (project initiation). On all medium sized engagements, The Technical Architect owns the proposed solution and transitions the build / implementation to the delivery team. This means that he/she remains engaged with the client all the way through to the transfer to managed services and returns as “thought leaders” for the next opportunity. All processes should comply with all defined project management methodologies.
• Coaching and training
• The Technical Architect has a technical consulting aptitude, focusing on the business and sales aspects. The individual trains and coaches the sales team and when applicable teams of Engineers and Consultants to transfer product knowledge. The Technical Architect also mentors the Product Specialist and Product Supporters.
• Implement solution
• Vendor product, sales and technology certification is required. They use their previous technical project lead experience to guide successful implementation of a system solution. They may be required to manage multiple development designs and projects to meet client and project timelines.
• Opportunity realisation
• Specifically relating to opportunity pursuit The Technical Architect will:
• Evaluate each opportunity for alignment with Dimension Data capabilities and business policy.
• Prepare the executive summary that outlines all of the information gathered from the client in regards to their needs, as we understand them
• Document the proposed technology solution
• Document the statement of work along with all labour requirements
• Work with the Client Manager to prepare the pricing format that will be supplied to the customer.
• Perform the actual solution design and prepare a parts list outlining equipment to be provided.
• Develop and manage a proof-of-concept as such may be required
• Engage all technical resources required for an accurate solution design
• Prepare a high level architecture diagram and schematics outlining the proposed solution
• Document all deliverables and what constitutes a successful completion.
• Review the final parts list as supplied by the Client Manager and submit all information to the applicable bid team for final assembly
• Verify the proposal’s accuracy and sign off on the final documents to be presented to the client
• Assist the Client Manager during the final presentation to the customer as appropriate

Behavioural skills

As corporate citizens they are good team players and exhibit the required level of management skills required from entry level managers. He or she practices two-way communication and listens to understands other’s point of view. Technical Architects have good analytical and consulting capabilities. They demonstrate the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with team members, contributing to their success.

In this position you will be required to:

• Outline technical architecture descriptions across domains, functions, and industries, then monitoring and governing the implementation.
• Take responsibility for the overall technical design and build of the custom elements of the solution.
• Be responsible for solution design, business development, and transition of projects from presales to delivery, and sales support.
• Work with Solutions Architects to produce a technical specification for the custom development and systems integration requirements for the solution.
• Participate or lead in scope of work determination, product pricing and RFP/RFI responses.
• Assist with the determination of outsourcing, product pricing and collaborates with the Client Manager to develop an implementation solution.
•  Influence and guide members of the Sales team and to ensure that they are equipped to close deals.
• Manage client proof of concept (POC) initiatives, which will require the involvement of the appropriate resources, and setup and delivery of the POC.
• Use previous technical project lead experience to guide successful implementation of a system solution.
• Perform a variety of tasks that will directly impact opportunity pursuit and realisation.
• At least 5 years' professional technical experience related to unified communications and collaboration, included media technologies (AV, VC, Resource Management, Digital Signage) and cloud solutions (public, private and hybrid)
• A minimum of 3 years in a professional technical role
• Qualification in Information Technology and/or Technology Management
• Willingness to travel to client locations

Experience

• A good understanding of the vast range of IT operations and service offerings
• Proven client engagement and development consulting experience
• Experience managing expectations when balancing alternatives against business and financial constraints
• Proven experience in a variety of architectures for specific domain or specialisation
• Project management experience
• Experience in technologies such as Cisco, Polycom, Crestron, Extron, Condeco, Exterity, Kramer, Samsung, etc.

Skills and knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of IT industry environment and business needs
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
• Must have excellent technical problem solving skills, including identifying and addressing performance problems, system defects, hardware issues, etc.
• The ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the solution leads to business transformation
• Must be able to break down complex technical topics into common language understandable by non-technical/business oriented audiences
• Assertive in approach coupled with confidence in area of expertise
• Ability to understand business requirements and convert them into solution designs
• Demonstrates good judgement and a pragmatic approach to delivering architecture activities across technical realities, business constraints and company needs