Senior Solutions Architect, Midrand

The focus for this role will be Hybrid Cloud and Data Centre and SAP solutions.

A successful candidate will be expected to be a competent design authority on larger or more complex solutions, demonstrating an understanding of the customers' business and commercial issues. They identify, design, and deliver larger or more complex architectures, strategies and specific solutions.

Responsible for the design and communication of high-level structures to enable and guide the design and development of integrated solutions that meet current and future business needs.

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
• 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 events

Key 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.

NB: When applying - please take note of the minimum requirements i.e. Qualifications and number of years' experience and the specific field.