16 Oct
Gradznet
Johannesburg
Senior Specialist: Solutions Architecture
Key Deliverables
- Translate the customer requirements into working solutions
- Input into business cases to understand costs, risk and benefits of solutions
- Follow all relevant steerco and approval practices for customer solutions
- Obtain business approval through set forums on new innovations required for customer specific solutions
- Deliver on Customer POCs and ensure testing criteria is clear and agreed upon
- Sponsorship and mentorship for key deals within the environment of junior architects
- Commercial Acumen must be used to deliver solutions that fit within the customer budgets
- Understanding the customers key challenges and financial parameters to solution a winning proposal
- Provide input to the strategic direction of technology investments to assist in the development of the enterprise architecture and maximise the return on technology investment.
- Review, interpret and respond to detailed Business Requirements Specifications (BRS) to ensure alignment between customer expectations and current or future ICT capability.
- Translate business requirements into technical architecture specifications and models, solution design, process diagrams and concepts of operation.
- Estimate costs and input into a business case to justify the ROI for the solution, considering infrastructure, licenses, development and support.
- Present business cases to Senior Management (TFLS, TCOE, COE ICT and Commercial) for approval, funding and prioritization.
- Gain organisational commitment for all Solution Elements, as well as evaluate and select all technologies required to complete customer solutions considering functionality, data, security, integration, infrastructure and performance.
- Work in cross functional teams to define, deliver and support the design and development of technology solutions that are fit for purpose, meet the business requirements and objectives and are in alignment with the agreed enterprise architecture, corporate ICT standard and business operational standards
- Ensure Proposed customer Solutions are deliverable within customer timelines, customer budgets and relevant governance according to process and procedures.
- Work closely with cross functional team members to deliver the solution for the customer implemented in the most efficient and cost-effective manner while ensuring the solution is complete, operable, conforms to business processes and meets the business needs with the agreed quality of service.
- Document and maintain the organisations solution proposals to customers; make recommendations for improvements and/or alternatives.
- Participate from time to time in the supplier selection process, evaluating usefulness and cost of products and making appropriate recommendations.
- Review new and existing solutions design projects and procurement or outsourcing plans for compliance with standards and architectural plans.
- Keep abreast of Solutions architecture current and future trends and innovations.
- Maintain current OEM certifications and where required obtain new certifications as an when required
- Work collaboratively with a global team to create and execute research into the feasibility of customer specific solutions whilst following internal governance.
- Act in an advisory capacity to management and team on Solution architecture.
Business Development
- Provide input into the account management plans and go-to-market plays for key identified clients across segments and regions.
- Work with sales specialists and account managers to identify, develop and close key sales opportunities.
- Collaborate with sales specialists and account managers to deep-dive into customers' business challenges, so as to collaboratively propose and pre-qualify a particular set of outcomes that would result in a formal professional services engagement.
- Build and maintain continuous technical relationships within corporate customers and partners to ensure high levels of satisfaction.
- Develop and design high quality technical responses to RFPs/ RFQs and RFIs that meet customer requirements in a timely manner.
Deliver all technical tender requirements and provide support with regards to presenting solutions.
- Provide technical input on pricing for tenders and proposals.
Governance and Risk Management
- Maintain alignment to the Group sales and pre-sales architect processes.
- Comply with relevant policies and procedures.
Role Dependencies
- Active support from the Senior Manager Solution Architecture
- Understanding of business strategy
- Understanding of the ICT COE technology, business and regulatory context
- Timely decision making and reporting
- Alignment of ICT COE and Group strategy initiatives
4.
Job Requirements
(Education, Experience and Competencies)
**Education**:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering or related field
- Relevant Cloud, Network or Unified communication certificati
▶️ Senior Specialist Solutions Architect
🖊️ Gradznet
📍 Johannesburg