Solutions Architect (Service Management and End-User Computing)

SUMMARY:
PURPOSE:
The Solutions Architect will work closely with the sales and customer service teams on opportunities and bids, whilst working with the Sales Specialists and Business Developers, to cultivate opportunities and ensure that the Gijima Service Management and End User Computing (EUC) portfolios are presented in a comprehensive manner to help win customers and grow revenue streams. The incumbent will be responsible for the needs analysis of customer requirements, presales, solution crafting, solutions architecture, solution presentation and pricing of the proposed solutions as well as technology trend analysis and driving solutions through innovation and fit for purpose solutions.

POSITION INFO:
FORMAL EDUCATION:

Grade 12 (essential)
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, informatics, information management or comparable education with professional experience specialised in Solution Design with focus on End User Computing and Service Management.

EXPERIENCE:

· Min 5 – 10 years experience working in the Service Management and EUC portfolios.
· Traceable excellent experience in processing complex proposals (RFI, RFQ, RFP, etc) in the role as Solutions Architect.
· Excellent technical skills to create complex Managed Services and and EUC Solutions.
· Strong Knowledge to integrate technology partners and vendors into the solution design.
· Keen sense of current standards and trends.
· Overview over the current conditions and competitors in the ICT EUC and Managed Services markets.
· Project management skills.
· In-depth knowledge in developing pricing models and applying pricing tools (Pricing Management).
· Excellent Knowledge of Gijima - and vendor-based calculation tools.
· Excellent communication and negotiation skills, as well as cooperation and teamwork.
· Strong documentation and presentation skills.
· A passion for continual expansion of knowledge in the Managed Services and EUC sectors.
· Excellent knowledge in creating complex and synergistic ICT-Solutions.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Supporting Sales to meet and exceed the financial and strategic sales targets.
· Central interface between Bid Management, Solution Sales and internal/external delivery units.
· Responsible for the integration of agreed solutions into the customer’s systems by taking various components and interfaces into account.
· Define, design and coordinate the solution architecture and cost calculations.
· Technical support for Sales during the acquisition phase.
· Integration of technology partners / vendors into the solution design.
· Align the solution design in complex projects with involved stakeholders within Gijima group and external partners.
· Design authority for solutions according to approved solution and service descriptions.
· Requesting offers and further discounts at vendors/partners.
· Technical steering of Engineering, Operation and Consulting in the deal team.
· Stream lead for Managed Services and EUC topics in complex mixed deals (Big and Major Deal Support) for costing and design of EUC solutions.
· Support smooth handover to Delivery for the realisation phase.
· Collaborate closely with colleagues in the sales team and Gijima operations community for knowledge sharing and collective solution development.



KEY COMPETENCIES:

Knowledge and Skills Required:
· Sales process knowledge - Intermediate
· Financial acumen - Intermediate
· Corporate Governance - Intermediate
· ITIL processes - Intermediate
· Knowledge of service delivery models - Advanced
· Knowledge of market and technology trends – Advanced
· Knowledge or further certification in project management, ITIL, COBIT, Enterprise Architecture
· IT Industry and competitor knowledge – Advanced
· Computer literacy (MS Office Suite)
· Logical and analytical thinking
· Communications skills (written and verbal)
· Presentation skills
· Professional engagement with customers, internal clients
· Problem solving skills
· Negotiating skills
· Conflict Management Skills
· Strategic planning skills.

Competencies required
· Relating and Networking
· Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations
· Applying Expertise and Technology
· Deciding and Initiating Action
· Working with People
· Writing and Reporting
· Persuading and Influencing
· Planning and Organising
· Presenting and Communicating Information
· Learning and Researching
· Creating and Innovating