Technical Solutions Architect

Methods Business and Digital Technology LimitedMethods is a £100M+ IT Services Consultancy who has partnered with a range of central government departments and agencies to transform the way the public sector operates in the UK. Established over 30 years ago and UK-based, we apply our skills in transformation, delivery, and collaboration from across the Methods Group, to create end-to-end business and technical solutions that are people-centred, safe, and designed for the future.Our human touch sets us apart from other consultancies, system integrators and software houses – with people, technology, and data at the heart of who we are, we believe in creating value and sustainability through everything we do for our clients, staff, communities, and the planet.We support our clients in the success of their projects while working collaboratively to share skill sets and solve problems. At Methods we have fun while working hard; we are not afraid of making mistakes and learning from them.Predominantly focused on the public-sector, Methods is now building a significant private sector client portfolio.Methods was acquired by the Alten Group in early 2022.The Role:The Technical Architect role is created to support the growth of the company and a desire to secure and build upon new and existing business opportunities. The role will help ensure our technical solutions are robust, commercially viable and fully address the customer requirements.The role will support the whole lifecycle from initial engagement with pre-sales and customers to proposal, solution design and delivery. The opportunities for growth and development in this role are substantial as Methods itself continues to grow and develop.The role will focus on the development of Microsoft solutions and cloud platforms and will have responsibility for the technical solutions and will retain that responsibility from initial customer engagement through to implementation and handover to Methods delivery teams.The role will require someone with extensive technical experience, good interpersonal skills and the ability to explain potentially complex technical solutions to a business audience.The role will require someone with good all-round ability to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines whilst at the same time comprehending complex and interdependent business requirements and to ensure these are delivered in a cost effective and secure manner.This is an ideal opportunity for a technical professional looking for a new and challenging architect position, one which will make best use of their existing skills and experience and also further their development.ResponsibilitiesInvolvement in initial customer engagements to articulate Methods’ capabilities and help shape customer technical strategy and requirements.Own the technical solution required to meet a customer’s specification, liaising proactively with colleagues and external partners, as necessary, to deliver technically elegant, feasible and commercially viable solutions.Construction of a cost model to support the implementation and ongoing delivery of the solution.Own and manage any risks associated with solution development and implementation.Undertake, where required, authorship and/or review of technical elements of proposal documentationTake the technical lead in the presentation of technical and commercial solutions to a customer, in collaboration with the sales team.Provide technical support in contract negotiations and development.Ensure effective handover of technical solution to delivery teams, in conjunction with the Programme Managers.Contribute to the development of Methods’ technical solutions and capabilities, keeping abreast of industry developments and proposing innovation.Quality Assurance of Technical Solutions proposed and /or implemented by Technical Architects or Engineers, where required.Conceptualising and designing complex solutions, covering multiple sites, and including hosted Data Centre infrastructures.Perform presales activity in support of the Business Development, Solution Architecture and Sales teams.The role requires detailed design skills specific to the individual’s technology specialisation, complemented by an architecture-level appreciation of all relevant complementary technologies.Initiate an ongoing, proactive approach, working alongside colleagues in developing and delivering service offerings based on industry best practice and new-to-market technologies.Understand and develop the opportunities within their customer accounts.Maintain a broad understanding across Microsoft technologies and be willing to complete training (including the passing of relevant exams and accreditations) in Microsoft technologies that are identified as pertinent to your role and to maintain and gain Methods certifications and accreditations.Subject Matter Expert (SME) in agreed technologies in line with Methods solutions and designs.Mentor and guide team to build and develop their skills to meet the requirements of Methods and customers.Work with Management team to build repeatable, robust, policies, processes and approaches to enable consistent and best practices solution delivery.Provide support to Managed Services and Delivery Engineers as SMEAll other duties as required.Essential skills Excellent presentation and communication (verbal and written) skillsSelf-starter with the ability to appropriately prioritise and plan complex work in a rapidly changing environment.Results oriented with ability to produce products that deliver organisational benefit.Effective design and proposal documentation skillsStrong conceptual and analytical skills – demonstrating outside-the-box problem solving skills.SC clearance or willingness to gainMicrosoft Expert Level Exams and CertificationsSubject Matter Expert Exams and CertificationsExperience requiredAt least 5 years in a customer facing role, delivering and supporting technology solutions based on Microsoft technologiesIn Depth knowledge & experience of various Microsoft technologies with SME knowledge in agreed areasAzure DevOps & automationAzure PlatformAzure Integration ServicesAzure FabricAzure App ServiceAzure Kubernetes ServiceAzure Entra IDAzure AI Foundry.NET developmentDatabase development & administrationIn Depth knowledge & experience of creating a technical design to deploy and implement without guidanceIn Depth understanding of Microsoft Cloud Platform including services, security, capabilities, technology, applications, IT Issues, best practice standards, methodologies and processesProven ability to work collaboratively in projects and demonstrate the ability to undertake technical leadershipTeam player with experience leading and collaborating cross-team to ensure successful delivery of solutions.Lead on technical workshops & solutions across multiple technologiesCommercial awareness to create proposals and draft responses to tendersSignificant Pre-sales experience in discussing solution and technologies with customersExperience of presenting technical solutions to customers and stakeholdersThis role will require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview. BenefitsMethods is passionate about its people; we want our colleagues to develop the things they are good at and enjoy.By joining us you can expectAutonomy to develop and grow your skills and experienceBe part of exciting project work that is making a difference in societyStrong, inspiring and thought-provoking leadershipA supportive and collaborative environmentDevelopment – access to LinkedIn Learning, a management development programme, and trainingWellness – 24/7 confidential employee assistance programmeFlexible Working – including home working and part timeSocial – office parties, breakfast Tuesdays, monthly pizza Thursdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and commitment to charitable causesTime Off – 25 days of annual leave a year, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy 5 extra days each yearVolunteering – 2 paid days per year to volunteer in our local communities or within a charity organisationPension – Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contributionDiscretionary Company Bonus – based on company and individual performanceLife Assurance – of 4 times base salaryPrivate Medical Insurance – which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)Worldwide Travel Insurance – which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)Enhanced Maternity and Paternity PayTravel – season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme