Pre-Sales Solution Architect - Cloud in Manchester

Join ANS. Shape the future of cloud. We’re looking for a Solution Architect specialising in Cloud to join our Pre‑Sales team. This is a great opportunity for someone ready to step up from a hands‑on technical position into a more commercial, customer‑facing role. If you’ve hit the top of your game technically and are now looking for that next move into pre‑sales; where you can influence, shape and win business, this is a brilliant opportunity.

At ANS, we’re delivering some of the UK’s most ambitious cloud transformations. As Microsoft UK Services Partner of the Year, we sit right at the forefront of Azure, data and modern cloud platforms. This isn’t just a technical role – it’s a sales role.

We’re Looking For Someone Who Is:

• Commercially driven – motivated by success, outcomes and reward
• Confident identifying and shaping opportunities
• Comfortable going into real detail to build compelling solutions
• Able to balance consultative thinking with sales drive (that "blue with a red drive" mindset)

What You’ll Be Doing:

• You’ll sit at the centre of customer engagement – leading the technical story and guiding customers through their cloud journey.
• Pre‑sales & Solution Shaping:
• Create proposals, presentations, demos, business cases and PoCs
• Lead customer workshops, including ANS’ Navigator sessions – breaking down existing environments, understanding how they’re used, and designing what comes next
• Clearly articulate cost, value and solution design to customers
• Customer Engagement:
• Work alongside sales teams to identify and qualify opportunities
• Run consultative discovery sessions to understand business and technical needs
• Confidently present solutions and recommendations face‑to‑face with clients
• Solution Design:
• Design Azure‑led cloud architectures (with AWS/Private Cloud exposure beneficial)
• Build migration strategies and transition plans
• Define target operating models and future‑state architectures

This is a shaping role, you won’t be hands‑on delivering, but you’ll define what gets built and how teams deliver it.

Qualifications:

• Good technical knowledge in cloud (consultant, architect, engineer etc)
• Knowledge of cloud platform design (essential)
• Exposure to cloud migrations (planning or delivery)
• Understanding of managed services and modern cloud environments

Mindset & Approach:

• Ready to transition from "on the tools" into pre‑sales and customer leadership
• A consultative approach – comfortable guiding workshops and asking the right questions
• Strong communication skills – able to explain complex solutions simply and confidently
• Ability to keep up with technology through continuous learning (training, podcasts, articles etc.)

What Makes You a Great Fit:

• Driven by success, progression and reward
• Enjoy working closely with sales and being part of a commercial team
• Can spot opportunities and turn them into solutions
• Confidently leading conversations and presenting to clients
• Ready to step out of delivery and into solution shaping

Why ANS?

• Work on cutting‑edge cloud projects across Azure & beyond
• Be part of a high‑performing, collaborative pre‑sales team
• Clear opportunity to progress and grow your career into senior pre‑sales roles
• Help customers transform with the latest cloud technologies

This Role Might Not Be Right If:

• You want to stay fully hands‑on technically
• You’re not interested in the sales/commercial side of technology
• You’re not motivated by progression, impact or reward