Senior Solutions Architect

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors’ Degree or equivalent through other qualifications / work experience.
• Successful track record in technical Pre-sales of Data Centre and Hybrid Cloud Solutions with a special focus on software solutions.
• Strong background and understanding of SAP HANA, Enterprise storage, Virtualization, Converged, Hyper Converged and Cloud infrastructures.
• 5+ years’ experience in the design of Infrastructure Solutions.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the design considerations, technologies and tools enabling new generation Data Centre solutions.
• Appropriate accreditation / certification including one or more convergence technology
• Previous exposure and demonstrable understanding of Infrastructure Solutions for SAP environments.
• Previous exposure and demonstrable understanding of complex VMware environments (both converged and hyperconverged).
• Technology Evangelist with the ability to connect and work with C-Level stakeholders
• Technology Evangelist - Public Speaking at evenKey Accountabilities:
• Owns and develop the Company Solution portfolio including alliance management
• Develop the VMware portfolio including alliance management
• Take complete responsibility for technical input to qualification and business approval meetings, designing larger more complex solutions
• Shapes technical proposals to be commercially acceptable to the customer and may make solution/service trade-offs
• Represents Company at customer forums, conferences, and professional bodies to build Company’s reputation in the marketplace
• Contributes to definition of customers’ overall IT architecture, designing new solutions of significant size and complexity, and can manage the work of specialists contributing to the design and implementation
• Partner enablement to drive the SAP portfolio value proposition
• Assisting sales team in articulating a clear win strategy
• Participate in focused events creating brand and portfolio awareness for both the SAP and VMware portfolios
• Be entrenched as a trusted advisor
• Actively drive portfolio value messaging on defined social media platforms
• Solution ownership that takes complete accountability from requirements gathering to solution delivery
• Define TCO and ROI modules where cost justification is required
• Responsible for technical input for Proof of Concept and business approval meetings and for making a recognised technical contribution
• Shares knowledge and makes a useful contribution to the knowledge base
• Works with the designated bid teams to deliver winning solutions for qualified opportunities
• Point of contact for central and partner portfolio teams, drives pre-sales campaigns for SAP, VMware, Integrated Systems, and any other designated portfolio elements
• Stays abreast of industry trends and the company’s product portfolio
• Deliver training and solution workshops for the company’s sales team and partner landscape
• Deliver customer / partner presentations, training and workshops
• Establishes an internal/external business network with customer middle management and technical staff to understand current and future needs and identify new business opportunities

Specific Competencies:

Behavioural Competencies:

• Analytical and strategic thinking
• Putting the customer first
• Drive for results and achieving together
• Quality focus

Professional Competencies:

• Communication skills and stakeholder management
• Ability to influence at executive level both internally and externally
• Expert knowledge of SAP Infrastructure solution considerations
• Managing complexity
• Service and technical expertise
• Financial awareness
• Intimate knowledge of trends, technologies and tools associated with IT Infrastructure and Hybrid Cloud Solutions
• Ability to work in a matrix structure either delivering into a bid team or leading a design team, dependent on the specific opportunity
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent Public Speaking skills
• Knowledge of the company and its relevant portfolio would be an advantage

Key Performance Indicators

• Participate in SAP Infrastructure & VMware Solutions campaigns
• Solution designs result in winning proposals
• Seen as a thought leader both internally and externally to Company, evidenced through peer review
• Campaigns for designated portfolio elements result in partner participation and ultimately increased business for the company
• Consistently produces designs, which require minimal re-work following review.
• Provide evidence that demonstrates the ability to design a solution at the appropriate optimised cost point
• Uses company prescribed processes and methodologies for development of solutions and their approvals
• Demonstrates the maximisation of the company and its standard portfolio and delivery capability in their designs
• Regular contribution to, and user of, company knowledge repositories and events.