SENIOR SOLUTION ARCHITECT

We are an award-winning, IT consulting and managed services business, specialising in modern, software defined networking, security and communications technologies, delivering innovative solutions and services to major organisations right across the globe. Our service portfolio ranges from consulting strategies and assessments through to solution design, deployment and fully managed services, incorporating market-leading technologies in each of our specialist areas. At Xalient we design, build and manage software-defined solutions and services that help global enterprises become more resilient, adaptable and responsive to change. We’re an innovative and young technology services company with around 150 employees, most based in Leeds, that helps large organisations connect their people and locations across the globe and protects them against growing cyber threats – shameless namedrop, but we’re proud to call Kellogg’s, Keurig Dr Pepper, Mondelez & Hamleys our customers (and that’s just a few of them!). Due to incredible growth, we are recruiting a Senior Solution Architect to join the team in the UK, reporting directly to the Head of Pre-Sales. This role would suit an ambitious and talented Solution Architect with experience in both a Pre-Sales and ideally a consulting capacity. Experience within an MSP (managed services provider) environment is also beneficial. As a senior member of the team you will be representing Xalient in both a technical and commercial capacity. You will be required to design and present the Xalient Product Portfolio of solutions and services to Customers, support the growing regional sales team and support and mentor (where necessary) other members of the Solution Architect team . Ownership and responsibilities include the Pre-Sales engagement process with the Client, supporting Sales through the Sales Cycle to decision point and handing over into the delivery process for business wins. It is also expected that you will contribute to the development of the Xalient portfolio and assist in delivering sales enablement to the wider teams. What you’ll be doing ·Responsible for achieving success by driving business growth, influencing sales propositions to win business deals in a Pre-Sales capacity. ·Track and monitor activity and success as a single point of truth for Pre-Sales activity. Ownership of supporting sales to achieve targets. ·Maintain close, sensitive and long-term working relationships with key customers’ acting as a trusted advisor. ·Technical Pre-Sales design of networking, security, identity and all managed service solutions with a high level of accuracy. This includes defining solution hardware, software, licenses, professional services budgets and services. Lead bids, organizing activity to ensure timely bid submission to meet agreed deadlines. ·Provide technical authority' for Xalient proposals. Submit content, costs, bills of materials and validate content for high level designs for peer review. Peer review designs from other peers and colleagues with critical/positive appraisal. ·Prepare and deliver effective presentations to peers as part of ongoing Sales Enablement. ·Prepare and deliver effective presentations to customers to highlight solution detail and business benefit and help win/close deals. ·Ensure continuity for the customer by providing an effective handover to the delivery teams or scope, commercials etc. for business wins. ·Delivery consultancy services, providing customers with valuable strategic recommendations, innovative ideas and assistance with business case preparation and vendor comparison. ·Work closely with Solutions Architect, Professional Services and Sales teams What you’ll need · 5+ years working experience in a Pre-Sales/Architectural capacity ·Networking & Security background (i.e. Networking, Security, SD-WAN etc.). ·Experience or knowledge of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) ·Networking /Security Accreditations to minimum CCNA or equivalent, with CCNP or equivalent (preferred) with extensive project/engineering experience in networking competencies. ·MSP/ISP specific experience around support, projects, and technical pre-sales processes. ·Experience of enterprise LAN, WAN, Wireless, Next generation firewall technologies. ·Exposure to SD-WAN and Cloud Security technologies preferred. ·Experience of responding to RFP/Tender and providing detailed bid responses ·Experience of completing low level and high-level designs, following full technical pre-sales and project life cycle. Beneficial ·Experience and knowledge of providing and specifying Managed Services solutions ·Experience or knowledge of Zero Trust methodology ·Experience in Identity Access Management ·Experience in laaS and Cloud Connectivity (Express Route, Direct Connect etc) Offer Competitive salary + bonus (DOE) Remote working with travel required Flexible benefit fund Private medical insurance 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays Pension Equal Opportunities statement We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy or maternity or age.