Azure Solutions Architect – CPT at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• An established and growing Managed IT Services Provider, specialising in Microsoft technologies, cloud solutions, cybersecurity and IT infrastructure client is seeking an experienced Azure Solutions Architect to lead and develop its Azure infrastructure practice. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing cloud solutions, overseeing technical delivery, establishing engineering standards and developing the capabilities of the Azure engineering team.
• The role combines solution architecture, pre-sales technical scoping, cost estimation, delivery oversight, team leadership and client advisory. Working closely with sales, management, engineers and key clients, the successful candidate will translate business requirements into practical, scalable and cost-effective Azure infrastructure solutions.
• The position requires strong expertise in Microsoft Azure architecture, networking, identity and security, cloud migrations and infrastructure automation. The successful candidate will also take ownership of technical quality, operational procedures, Microsoft partner certifications and the ongoing development of the Azure practice.
• The scope is focused exclusively on the Azure platform infrastructure layer. Application development, software code and business data fall outside the department's responsibility and must be managed through separate change requests or statements of work. 

DUTIES:

Solution Design and Architecture

• Design Azure landing zones, hub-and-spoke networks, identity and security baselines, migration strategies and modernisation roadmaps.
• Ensure solution designs align with the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework and Well-Architected Framework.
• Evaluate resilience, business continuity and disaster recovery requirements, including Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO).
• Establish appropriate architectural standards and ensure solutions are scalable, secure and cost-effective.

Pre-Sales Scoping and Estimation

• Manage the technical scoping process by translating qualified opportunities into detailed scopes of work, engineering effort estimates and Azure cost estimates.
• Complete technical scoping and estimation within three business days.
• Present proposed architectures, technical solutions and business cases to client technical teams and financial decision-makers.
• Prepare realistic engineering estimates and clearly define project deliverables, assumptions and requirements.
• Work alongside sales and management during the commercial process, with pricing responsibilities remaining with sales and the Managing Director.

Delivery Oversight and Technical Quality

• Verify engineering capacity and resource availability before projects are committed.
• Review solution designs and technical builds to ensure adherence to established architectural and engineering standards.
• Provide technical sign-off before project closure.
• Monitor delivery quality and ensure projects remain within the agreed scope.
• Identify out-of-scope requirements and ensure these are managed through formal change requests rather than absorbed into existing project commitments.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor and develop the Azure engineering team.
• Facilitate weekly technical sessions, monthly one-on-one meetings and quarterly skills assessments.
• Establish individual development plans and support engineers in achieving relevant technical certifications.
• Participate in recruitment and selection of engineering talent.
• Delegate responsibilities, encourage ownership and develop engineers' technical and client-facing capabilities.
• Build a capable, independent team through knowledge sharing, coaching and effective succession of responsibilities.

Practice Standards, Intellectual Property and Partner Designations

• Own and maintain departmental operating procedures, technical runbooks and infrastructure-as-code libraries.
• Establish and maintain consistent engineering standards, technical documentation and delivery processes.
• Manage the department's certification roadmap to support Microsoft Partner Capability Scores and specialisations.
• Ensure technical standards, procedures and supporting documentation remain current.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, technical capabilities and service delivery.

L3 Escalation and Client Advisory

• Act as the Level 3 technical escalation point for complex Azure infrastructure incidents and architectural challenges.
• Provide technical support during severe incidents, including occasional after-hours availability.
• Lead architecture reviews and provide technical guidance to key clients.
• Advise clients on Azure infrastructure strategies, cloud roadmaps and modernisation opportunities.
• Recommend improvements to cloud environments, infrastructure resilience, security and performance.

REQUIREMENTS:

Essential Requirements

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).
• Minimum of 5 years' hands-on Microsoft Azure experience, including at least 2 years in a solution design role where solutions were designed for implementation by other engineers.
• Experience designing Azure landing zones using the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework, including:
• Management groups and Azure Policy.
• Subscription design and governance.
• Hub-and-spoke networking or Virtual WAN.
• Strong Azure networking expertise, including:
• Routing and User Defined Routes (UDRs).
• Site-to-site VPN and ExpressRoute.
• Azure Firewall.
• Private endpoints and DNS.
• Strong identity and security architecture experience, including:
• Microsoft Entra ID.
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
• Privileged Identity Management (PIM).
• Conditional Access.
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
• Experience migrating on-premises environments, including VMware or Hyper-V, to Azure.
• Working knowledge of Azure Migrate and Azure Site Recovery.
• Demonstrated experience preparing scopes of work and engineering effort estimates.
• Experience with Azure cost modelling and the ability to present technical solutions and associated costs to financial decision-makers.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), using Bicep or Terraform, including reviewing implementations and establishing development standards.
• Previous experience mentoring, coaching or leading engineers, either formally or informally.

Advantageous Requirements

• Experience working within a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or Microsoft Partner environment.
• Understanding of Microsoft Partner Capability Scores, partner designations and partner incentives.
• Additional Microsoft certifications such as AZ-700, AZ-500 or SC-100.
• Data and AI-related certifications such as DP-600 or AI-102.
• Experience with Azure Arc and hybrid cloud management.
• Exposure to Microsoft Fabric or Azure AI services.
• Experience using professional services automation tools such as HaloPSA.
• Familiarity with time-based delivery reporting, resource utilisation and project tracking.

 ​​​​​​ATTRIBUTES:

• Strategic and analytical: Able to evaluate business and technical requirements and translate them into effective cloud architecture solutions.
• Strong technical leadership: Confident in providing architectural direction, establishing standards and guiding engineering teams.
• Commercial awareness: Understands project estimation, resource allocation, cost modelling and the commercial implications of technical decisions.
• Client-focused: Able to engage with clients, understand their requirements and present technical solutions to both technical and financial stakeholders.
• Strong communication: Excellent presentation, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Mentoring and coaching: Passionate about developing engineering talent, sharing knowledge and building an independent, capable team.
• Accountability and ownership: Takes responsibility for architectural decisions, technical quality and successful delivery outcomes.
• Attention to detail: Ensures accuracy in solution designs, technical documentation, estimates and project reviews.
• Problem-solving: Demonstrates strong troubleshooting, decision-making and technical investigation capabilities.
• Organised and disciplined: Able to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain consistent delivery standards.
• Proactive and innovative: Identifies opportunities to improve cloud infrastructure, engineering practices and service offerings.
• Adaptable: Keeps up to date with Microsoft Azure technologies, cloud architecture developments and industry best practices.
• Collaborative: Works effectively with engineers, management, sales teams and clients to achieve business and technical objectives.
• Resilient: Remains composed when handling complex technical escalations, delivery challenges and critical incidents.