At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape Azure Data & AI solutions and lead pre-sales activities for enterprise customers.
- Company: Join one of the UK's top Azure Expert MSPs with a rapidly expanding Data & AI practice.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, remote work, and strong career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-value enterprise engagements and influence strategy.
- Qualifications: Strong pre-sales experience and deep understanding of Azure Data Platform and Microsoft AI solutions.
- Other info: Remote-first working with occasional travel for client workshops and presentations.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
£100,000 base + £20,000 bonus UK-wide | Remote (with occasional travel for client workshops and presentations)
Ever fancied working for one of the UK's top Azure Expert MSP's? Want to join a rapidly expanding Data & AI practice? Supporting enterprise customers on complex transformation programmes? As demand grows across Azure Data Platform, Microsoft Fabric, AI, and modern data estate solutions, this Azure Expert MSP are seeking an experienced Azure Pre-Sales Architect (Data & AI) to shape solutions, define architectures, and guide customers through early-stage engagements.
The Opportunity
You will help customers navigate the full breadth of Azure Data & AI capabilities, combining technical depth with strong commercial and stakeholder management skills. Expect to work on high-value enterprise engagements, influence strategy, and be a key contributor to their continued Data & AI growth.
The Role
- Lead pre-sales activity across Azure Data Platform and Microsoft AI.
- Shape Azure Data Platform solutions across Fabric, Data Lake, Lakehouse, Databricks, Synapse, Warehouse and related services.
- Provide subject matter expertise across Microsoft AI including Copilot, Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services and modern AI solution patterns.
- Act as the technical lead in early-stage customer engagements, from qualification through to scoped, costed proposals.
- Facilitate workshops, discovery sessions, requirements gathering and architecture discussions.
- Produce high-quality pre-sales artefacts: SOWs, RFIs, RFPs, LOEs, technical proposals, bid materials, solution blueprints and architecture options.
- Partner closely with Sales teams to define value propositions and articulate Data & AI benefits in a clear, commercially aligned way.
- Collaborate with Professional Services to validate solution feasibility, delivery plans, risks and resource models.
- Present confidently to senior stakeholders, including directors and C-suite.
- Contribute to reusable frameworks, accelerators and pre-sales collateral across the Data & AI practice.
What we’re looking for...
Must-Haves
- Strong pre-sales experience within a Microsoft partner, consultancy or enterprise environment.
- Deep understanding of the Azure Data Platform stack: Azure Data Lake, Fabric, Lakehouse architectures, Databricks, Synapse, Warehouse, ingestion and governance patterns.
- Proven experience shaping and positioning Microsoft AI solutions (Copilot, Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services, RAG/AI architecture patterns).
- Demonstrated ability to bridge Sales and Delivery — translating customer needs into viable technical and commercial solutions.
- Significant experience producing SOWs, RFI/RFP responses, LOEs, and bid documentation.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including at senior/executive level.
- Excellent workshop facilitation and requirements-gathering experience.
Desirable
- Relevant Microsoft certifications (DP-203, DP-600, AZ-305, AI-102, SC-100, Fabric certs).
- Experience designing or migrating modern data estates at enterprise scale.
- Understanding of governance and compliance frameworks (DAMA, TDSP, CRISP-DM, MLOps).
- Experience contributing to Data & AI go-to-market offerings.
Why Apply?
- £100k base + £20k bonus for a senior pre-sales role with real influence.
- Work on enterprise-grade Data & AI programmes with strategic customers.
- Significant scope to shape solution patterns, pre-sales frameworks and go-to-market propositions.
- Remote-first working across the UK with flexibility for key engagements.
- Strong progression opportunities as the Data & AI practice continues to scale.
Ready to take a senior role shaping Azure Data & AI solutions? Apply here or get in touch with Oli Ridley directly via Linkedin.
Azure Pre Sales Architect (Data + AI) in Basingstoke employer: Cloud Decisions
Contact Detail:
Cloud Decisions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Azure Pre Sales Architect (Data + AI) in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the Azure and Data & AI space. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous projects and successes in pre-sales activities. This will not only highlight your skills but also give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for interviews by rehearsing common questions related to Azure Data Platform and Microsoft AI solutions. The more comfortable you are discussing these topics, the more confident you'll appear to interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for joining our rapidly expanding Data & AI practice.
We think you need these skills to ace Azure Pre Sales Architect (Data + AI) in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Azure Data Platform and AI solutions. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Pre-Sales Experience: Since this is a pre-sales role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to bridge technical and commercial aspects. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders and shaped proposals in previous roles.
Highlight Your Communication Skills: Strong communication is key for this position. Use your application to illustrate how you’ve effectively presented to senior stakeholders or facilitated workshops. We love seeing candidates who can articulate complex ideas clearly!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our growing Data & AI practice!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cloud Decisions
✨Know Your Azure Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Azure Data Platform stack, including Azure Data Lake, Fabric, and Databricks. Be ready to discuss how these technologies can be applied in real-world scenarios, as this will show your technical depth and understanding of the role.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since you'll be presenting to senior stakeholders, practice articulating complex technical concepts in a clear and commercially aligned way. Think about how you can translate customer needs into viable solutions and prepare examples of how you've done this in the past.
✨Showcase Your Pre-Sales Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous pre-sales activities, especially any experience with producing SOWs, RFI/RFP responses, and bid documentation. Highlight specific projects where you shaped solutions and influenced strategy, as this will demonstrate your capability in the role.
✨Engage in Mock Workshops
Since facilitating workshops is a key part of the job, consider running mock sessions with friends or colleagues. This will help you refine your requirements-gathering skills and ensure you're comfortable leading discussions, which is crucial for early-stage customer engagements.