Pre-Sales Solution Architect - Microsoft Security

The Microsoft Security Technical Pre‑Sales Architect is responsible for leading the scoping, shaping and preparation of Statements of Work for Microsoft‑funded (MCI) security workshops, alongside broader Microsoft Security pre‑sales engagements. The role works closely with Customer Success Managers, Account Managers and delivery teams to ensure Microsoft Security opportunities are correctly qualified, accurately scoped and commercially sound. This is a senior, customer‑facing role with ownership of scope quality, technical direction and governance for Microsoft Security pre‑sales activity.

Microsoft Security technical focus

• Apply deep, practical experience across the Microsoft Security stack, while maintaining awareness of complementary security technologies that may augment or enhance Microsoft‑based solutions.
• This role requires the ability to position Microsoft Security as the core platform, whilst understanding when additional vendor capabilities may be appropriate to meet specific customer requirements.
• Microsoft Sentinel architecture, use‑case design and onboarding strategy.
• Microsoft Defender across endpoint, identity, email and cloud apps.
• Microsoft Entra identity, access governance and privileged access.
• Microsoft Purview information protection, DLP and compliance workshops.

Ensure all scoped engagements align to Microsoft funding rules, Bytes standards and realistic customer outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• MCI workshop scoping and SOW preparation
  • Work closely with Customer Success Managers to scope Microsoft funded security workshops.
  • Prepare accurate, high quality Statements of Work for MCI engagements, aligned to Microsoft requirements and Bytes templates.
  • Ensure scope, assumptions, prerequisites and deliverables are clearly defined and fit for funding approval.
  • Support eligibility checks and pre engagement validation in line with MCI workshop processes.
  • Lead customer discovery sessions to identify business process challenges and automation opportunities.
• Microsoft Security technical focus
  • Apply practical experience across the Microsoft Security stack, including:
  • Microsoft Sentinel fundamentals and use case scoping.
  • Microsoft Defender capabilities.
  • Microsoft Entra identity and access scenarios.
  • Microsoft Purview data security and compliance workshops.
  • Ensure workshop scope aligns to supported Microsoft Security workloads and funding rules.
  • Maintain awareness of relevant security solutions outside of the Microsoft product line, ensuring recommendations remain outcome‑led and appropriate to the customer environment.
• Customer and internal collaboration
  • Act as the technical bridge between Customer Success Managers, the Lead Pre Sales Architect – Cyber Security, and delivery teams.
  • Participate in customer pre scoping calls to clarify objectives, attendees and success criteria.
  • Support handover from pre sales into delivery, ensuring workshop intent and scope are clear.
• Documentation and quality control
  • Maintain consistency and quality across all MCI security workshop SOWs.
  • Ensure documentation is audit‑ready and aligned to Microsoft funding expectations.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of templates and scoping guidance.
• Coaching and capability development
  • Share Microsoft Security best practice across the Technical Pre‑Sales team.
  • Maintain awareness of Microsoft Security roadmap and funding changes.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS:

• Educational Qualifications:
  • Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Cyber Security or related field (DESIRABLE)
  • Equivalent industry experience in lieu of formal education (ESSENTIAL)
• Professional Qualifications
  • Microsoft Security certifications (SC‑200, SC‑300, SC‑400, SC‑100) (DESIRABLE)
• Years of Experience
  • 5-7 years in a Technical Pre-Sales, solution architecture, or security consulting role (ESSENTIAL)
  • Proven experience producing and owning Statements of Work (ESSENTIAL)
• Other Requirements
  • Awareness of non‑Microsoft security solutions that commonly integrate with or complement the Microsoft Security stack (DESIRABLE)
  • Strong hands‑on experience with Microsoft Sentinel, Defender and Entra (ESSENTIAL)
  • Experience leading customer discovery and scoping sessions (ESSENTIAL)
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills (ESSENTIAL)
  • Experience with Microsoft‑funded engagements or incentives (DESIRABLE)
  • Understanding of security operating models, SIEM or SOC concepts (DESIRABLE)

CORE COMPETENCIES & SKILLS – BASED ON POSITION AND GRADE

• Technical Judgement: Ability to make sound scoping and design decisions across Microsoft Security (ESSENTIAL)
• Customer Engagement: Confident leading security‑focused customer conversations (ESSENTIAL)
• Commercial Awareness: Strong understanding of scope control and services follow‑on (ESSENTIAL)
• Documentation Quality: Produces clear, accurate, audit‑ready SOWs (ESSENTIAL)
• Coaching: Supports development of associate‑level architects (DESIRABLE)
• Communication: Clear communicator with technical and non‑technical stakeholders (ESSENTIAL)
• Strategic Thinking: Aligns security engagements to customer outcomes (ESSENTIAL)
• Solution Objectivity: Ability to assess when Microsoft Security alone is sufficient and when complementary tooling may better meet customer needs (DESIRABLE)