Solution Consultant - Hybrid Cloud

Job Description

Requirements definition and managementDefines and manages scoping, requirements definition and prioritisation activities for small-scale changes and assists with more complex change initiatives. Follows agreed standards, applying appropriate techniques to elicit and document detailed requirements. Provides constructive challenge to stakeholders as required. Prioritises requirements and documents traceability to source. Reviews requirements for errors and omissions. Provides input to the requirements base-line. Investigates, manages and applies authorised requests for changes to base-lined requirements, in line with change management policy.System designDesigns components using appropriate modelling techniques following agreed architectures, design standards, patterns and methodology. Identifies and evaluates alternative design options and trade-offs. Creates multiple design views to address the concerns of the different stakeholders of the architecture and to handle both functional and non-functional requirements. Models, simulates or prototypes the behaviour of proposed systems components to enable approval by stakeholders. Produces detailed design specification to form the basis for construction of systems. Reviews, verifies and improves own designs against specifications.Relationship managementImplements stakeholder engagement/communications plan. Deals with problems and issues, managing resolutions, corrective actions, lessons learned and the collection and dissemination of relevant information. Collects and uses feedback from customers and stakeholders to help measure effectiveness of stakeholder management. Helps develop and enhance customer and stakeholder relationships.Work OutputsSolution design and implementationThe CS STA is a consultative sale, technology and solution focused specialist who can establish and create excellent client relationships with their technical expertise. In addition to being a trusted technical advisor to the client, they have a responsibility for solution design, business development and transition of projects from presales to delivery as well as ongoing sales support. The STA provides pre-sales technical support and expertise in analysing client requirements, in conjunction with the client s current infrastructure, architecture, system capabilities and business challenges. They ensure technical solutions accomplish the client s objectives and are required to delivery consulting assessments.The STA will work with Solutions Architects (SAs) to produce a technical specification for the solution s custom development and systems integration requirements. They will develop the technical design document to match the solution design specifications. The STA will assess the pros and cons of different technical methods, products and processes available to create a solution, when preparing the proposed architecture and solution design. This includes consideration of functional and non-functional requirements. They will also map business processes and relationships clearly, in line with the solution features, and ensure that the recommended approach supports the overall scope of the solution.Contribute to proposalsThe TA will demonstrate strong client engagement skills. This requires the ability to lead the scope of work determination, product pricing and RFP/RFI responses. They will work closely with the Client Manager (CM) throughout this process and assist in the decision to pursue or halt a deal. They will also assist with service provision and product pricing where and when required. The STA collaborates with the CM to develop an implementation solution.Product salesThe STA will achieve products sales to meet specified financial goals according to specified financial metrics. The CS Senior Technical Architect has responsibility for influencing and guiding members of the Sales team to ensure that they are equipped to close deals. They need to maintain visibility of forecasting and sales pipeline in order to influence potential deals.Proof of conceptA strong vendor relationship is required to ensure an understanding of the vendor s products, business and technology positioning. They maintain a relationship with relevant vendors and incorporating their architect best practices and consulting support into DD. The individual manages client proof of concept (POC) initiatives, which require appropriation of 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 to large sized engagements, the CS Senior 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 service. All processes should comply with defined project management methodologies.Coaching and trainingThe individual trains and coaches the sales team and when applicable, teams of Engineers and Consultants to transfer product knowledge. The CS Senior Technical Architect also mentors the Product Specialist and Product Supporters. They are responsible for effective knowledge transfer to technical teams to deliver as per the technical design documentationImplement solutionThey 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. They need to accurately interpret relevant information, gaps, errors and inaccurate data and identify trends, risks and opportunities.Opportunity realizationSpecifically relating to opportunity pursuit, the CS Senior Technical Architect will:Evaluate each opportunity for alignment with Dimension Data capabilities and business policy. Prepare executive summary outlining all information gathered from the client Document proposed technology solution and statement of work. This includes all labour requirements Work with the Client Manager to prepare the pricing format supplied to clients Perform the actual solution design and prepare a parts list outlining equipment to be provided Develop and manage a proof-of-concept Engage all technical resources required for an accurate solution design Prepare a network diagram outlining the proposed solution Document all deliverables Review the final parts list and submit all information to the applicable bid team for final assembly Verify the proposal s accuracy and sign off on the final documents Assist the CM during the final presentation to the customer as appropriateContinuous ImprovementAs technical owner, provide direction for the ongoing maintenance of solutions sets, including new developments in response to environment and market changes and an ongoing analysis of the effectiveness of the solution. The TA ensures high-levels of standardisation in design and construction.ResearchContinuous business and industry research to guide critical evaluation of architectural and design patterns and principles. Identify topics of potential interest to the organisation such as industry trends and state-of-the-art technology Identify topics of interest to the organisation relating to existing technology and processes Prepare a proposal for research work, research topics, document the results and commit the output to a body of knowledge Apply research findings to the analysis phase of upcoming initiatives, ongoing implementation efforts and to planning for future initiativesTechnology evaluationBuild business cases for capabilities Define selection and assessment criteria Identify candidate technologies that provide desired capabilities Engage with technology vendors Facilitate Proof of Concept (POC) and Proof of Technology (POT) engagements Facilitate Request for Proposal (RFP) engagementsNext career steps CS Principal Technical Architect CS Senior Solutions ArchitectEducation required Qualification in Information Technology, Computer Science or Information SystemsWhat will make you a good fit for the role Standard career level descriptor for job level: Seasoned and experienced professional Has full understanding of specialisation area Resolves wide range of issues in creative ways Fully qualified, career level, career journey-orientated Uses good judgement in selecting tools and methods to solve problems Networks with senior internal and external people in own area of expertise Receives little instruction on day-to-day work, receives general instructions on new assignments Typically requires demonstrable related experience with a Bachelor s or equivalent degree; or moderate level experience and a Master s or equivalent degree; or a PhD or equivalent degree without experience; or equivalent work experience,

Keyskills :
salessapconsultingproject managementcustomer relationsproof of conceptdetail designsolution designdesign patternsproduct pricingfinancial goalscomputer sciencetechnical designsolution focusedtechnical support