Background:
This is an exciting opportunity to join the customer facing EMEA Consulting Services team that has a proven track record of successful consultancy project delivery.
The Solutions Architect is accountable for providing high-quality consultancy, design and implementation services for customers within the EMEA region.
Job Purpose:
Deliver comprehensive consultancy services to SAVVIS customers and provide in-depth solution design that meet customer requirements and ensure project wins
Provide comprehensive technical consultancy to Savvis clients and, when required, to the pre sales and Sales Team within SAVVIS
Ensure the best possible solution is designed and implemented to meet current and future customer needs and requirements
Create comprehensive documentation around solutions design and project delivery and deliver handover information to integration and support staff
Work with the Pre-Sales, Sales, Technical Operations, Customer Account Managers and Project Management to ensure that custom elements of a solution can be built and fully supported, and that deliverables are clearly defined, and agreed with the customer at the point of sale.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
Working in the Consulting Services team to ensure all technical aspects of customer’s requirements are delivered in a timely and coherent manner.
Perform a wide range design consultancy and implementation engagements based on Cloud and Virtualization technologies and related Symphony offerings for SAVVIS customers (80% Design, 20% Implementation)
Build proof-of-concept environments to showcase technology and integrate into customers existing IT infrastructure
Work with the CST Practice Head in the creation of Cloud & Transformation offerings and capabilities
Execution and leadership of Cloud Solutions & Transformation Services projects to new and existing customers
Scope and deliver high quality Statement of Works (SOW), RFP responses and other proposal materials to support professional services activities
Demonstrate technical and advisory leadership for customers, sales, and other consultants
Participate in sales meetings to actively promote Cloud Solutions & Transformation Services
Assist on preparation and delivery of presentations and proposals with Account Executives, System Engineers and Consultants
Perform billable consultancy work
Demonstrate technical and advisory leadership for customers, sales, and other consultants and effectively communicate the technical and business message
Successfully lead complex customer accounts or projects, bridging between the needs of the customer and the company
Determine scope and technical requirements for Cloud Solutions & Transformation engagements
Produce case studies and technical whitepapers on areas of customer interest
SUCCESS MEASUREMENTS
Have a ‘can do’ attitude and a willingness to work hard to achieve SAVVIS goals
Be a positive, contributing member of the sales teams whose views are respected, and whose direction is followed
Champion products from SAVVIS and contribute positively to their ongoing success
Take ownership of issues
Make timely, correct decisions that are based on facts
Communicate effectively with all stakeholders in the sales cycle
Deal effectively with failure; demonstrate an ability to learn from mistakes
Have integrity
Identify and progress additional sales opportunities relating to a project
Be recognised as an expert resource for Cloud Solutions & Transformation consulting engagements
Produce high quality proposal and solution documents as a key deliverable from a consulting engagement
Work with Business Development Manager(s) and Delivery Manager(s) to track time spent on customer engagements to ensure accurate billing
Attend sales meetings to help position SAVVIS consulting services and be seen as a enabler to new business
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & TRAINING REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE ROLE
Essential
VMware expert, VCP certified
Relevant IT certifications (e.g. MCSE, CCNA, etc)
Design, Implementation and Consulting expertise in all of the following matters:
Virtualization : ability to design & implement virtualization solutions around either new datacenters from ground up or within a consolidation/transformation program (e.g. Physical to Virtual transformations/migrations). Solid expertise on VMware products is vital (including, but not only: vSphere, SRM, View/VDI) is key – additional skills in similar technologies are a bonus e.g. Hyper-V, Xen, etc.
Migrations/Transformations: further to the above mentioned virtualization products/technologies set, it is a strong requirement to have solid expertise in transformation tools & methodologies from both an infrastructure & application perspectives (e.g. VMWare Converter, Platespin PowerConvert & PowerRecon, VMWare Capacity Planner, Discovery and Dependency Mapping tools from EMC, VMware, HP, CA, etc);
Cloud Solutions : Ideally expert in designing and implementing solutions around existing Cloud offerings (e.g. Savvis, Amazon, etc) and Cloud management tools, e.g. vCloud Director, Eucalyptus, Novell, Nimbula, etc . Strong knowledge of Cloud concepts and ideally experience in transformation/migration solutions from/to private/hybrid/public clouds.
Design, Implementation and Consulting expertise in some of the following matters:
Systems : Main focus on Wintel based technologies, including but not only, x86 systems (HP, IBM, Dell, etc), Active Directory, DNS, WINS, desktop & server operating systems, RAS, SSL, VPN and Windows networking in general. Exposure/knowledge of Unix & Linux based technologies and/or management software (MS SCOM/SCCM, CA, HP) will represent a significant advantage;
Storage : Strong experience in storage solutions design & implementation. Candidates should have strong skills in the following: HDS, EMC, Brocade, 3Par, NetApp, SAN, NAS, zoning, fiber channel, iSCSI solutions is required;
Networks : Strong experience in networking solutions design & implementation. Candidates should have strong skills in the following: F5 (LTM & GTM), Cisco, Juniper, Zeus, LAN/WAN internetworking, including hubs, switches, routers, load-sharing equipment, and LAN/WAN technologies (Ethernet, IP VPN, Frame Relay, ATM);
Security: Strong experience in networking solutions design & implementation. Candidates should have strong skills in the following: (Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, CheckPoint, NetScreen, Bluecoat etc.), VPN, gateways, firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, encryption, identity management, SSO, strong authentication, penetration testing and all relevant aspects of security in virtualized and cloud multi-tenanted environments.
Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
Strong communication skills (oral, written and presentation)
Good experience of using consultative approach and engagement styles
Demonstrable experience in developing high-end infrastructure solutions
Demonstrable experience in the IT industry – should be a trusted and respected TDA as well as a technical advisor both to the customer and to his/her peers
Must have worked in a customer facing role
Must have a proven track record of working with all levels with in a customer - should be able to engage at CxO level and convey technical information to a non-technical audience
Must have a proven track record of working onsite with blue-chip clients – should be a trusted and respected TDA as well as a technical advisor both to the customer and to his/her peers
Must have the ability to produce and present flowing and articulate presentations, to control the flow and delivery of content to diverse audiences at customer meetings and seminars
The ability to lead the delivery of customer focused workshops, showing agility and a capability to be creative.
Experience in designing service oriented architecture to fulfil complex business requirements – should be able to design and implement efficient, high quality and cost-effective solutions based in Virtualization, Transformation/Migration and Cloud Computing;
The ability to deliver without a pre defined customer agenda
The ability to document solution components in a timely manner while ensuring acceptable level of detail, data integrity, and accountability
Knowledge of Visio or other drawing and documentation tools
Good understanding/experience of n-tier application architectures
Good understanding of commercial elements of solutions and ability to present this and potential return on investment models to customers
Strong solutions design and implementation skills, but should be able to actively participate at any stage of the solution development cycle, from pre sales qualification to project closure and customer acceptance
Capability to schedule time with flexibility to handle varying workload, and still meet tight deadlines
Ability to multi-task and work multiple projects simultaneously.
Proficient with common office applications
Some travel may be required through the UK and Europe
Full UK driving licence (with the ability to travel to SAVVIS offices and client sites across EMEA).
Desirable/Optional
High level knowledge of data centre environmental facilities including power distribution, uninterruptible power switching systems, generators, air handling equipment, cabling and cable management systems, fire suppression, and security.
Good knowledge of a vertical commercial environment, e.g. retail, legal, or finance
Desirable relevant certifications e.g. ITIL, TOGAF, COBIT, DODAF, SABSA etc
TO PERFORM THE ROLE SUCCESSFULLY COMMUNICATION AND INTERFACE IS REQUIRED WITH:
Internal
External
Sales
Customers at all levels
Customer Solutions – CAMs; ProServ
Third party suppliers and contractors
Finance & Procurement
Service Delivery
SAVVIS Support Centre
Technical Operations Team
Data Centre Services
US Professional Services Teams
COMPETENCIES
Personal Competencies
Professional Competencies
Have excellent written and verbal communication skills
Be a technical leader
Be extremely organised and able to remain calm and focused under pressure
Be knowledgeable on IT infrastructure technology and how is can solve customer requirements
Be highly motivated and with a ‘can do’ attitude
Be a decision maker
Energetic nature
Be customer-focussed
Ability to pull apart complex problems and deliver solution designs
Be able to learn and to coach
Be able to follow processes
Interpersonal Competencies
Have commercial awareness
Be an excellent communicator
Manage and prioritise their own diary
Work well as an individual and within a team
Good understanding of the customers environment and politically aware/ astute
Be assertive
Ability to technically manage an account
Be approachable at all times
Identify, analyse, and manage risk within projects
Required Skills
Required Experience
SAVVIS Inc. - 2 years ago
- save job
-
block
