Microsoft Data Protection Architect

WeAreTechWomen; London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services company is seeking a Microsoft Data Protection Architect to lead the design and delivery of data protection solutions. The role involves working with Microsoft 365 and Azure environments, ensuring security in AI-enabled settings. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in security architecture and relevant certifications. A competitive salary and extensive benefits are included.

Benefits

30 days vacation

Extensive benefits package

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Microsoft 365 and Azure security architecture.
• Deep understanding of AI data risks and compliance frameworks.
• Experience leading data protection programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of data protection solutions.
• Architect Microsoft Purview solutions for Information Protection.
• Integrate Microsoft Defender suite to protect against threats.

Skills

Microsoft Purview expertise

Data Loss Prevention

Insider Risk Management

Data Lifecycle Management

Data Security Posture Management

Stakeholder management

Education

SC-400, SC-401, SC-300, SC-100 certifications

Tools

Microsoft 365

Azure

Microsoft Sentinel

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Job Title: Microsoft Data Protection Architect

Location: London / Manchester / Edinburgh

Salary: Competitive Salary depending on experience

Career Level: Manager

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. With our thought leadership and culture of innovation, we apply industry expertise, diverse skill sets and next-generation technology to each business challenge.

We believe in inclusion and diversity and supporting the whole person. Our core values comprise Stewardship, Best People, Client Value Creation, One Global Network, Respect for the Individual and Integrity. Year after year, Accenture is recognized worldwide not just for business performance but for inclusion and diversity too.

“Across the globe, one thing is universally true of the people of Accenture: We care deeply about what we do and the impact we have with our clients and with the communities in which we work and live. It is personal to all of us.” - Julie Sweet, Accenture CEO

The Accenture Microsoft Business Group (AMBG) is a global team of 80,000+ professionals, recognised 19 times as Microsoft Global SI Partner of the Year. We’re leaders in AI and Business Applications, helping clients achieve end-to-end transformation—from strategy to delivery and managed services.

Role Purpose

As a Microsoft Data Protection Architect, you will lead the design and delivery of data protection solutions across Microsoft 365, Azure, and hybrid environments. You will be instrumental in helping clients secure their data estates, especially in AI-enabled environments, using Microsoft’s full security stack and Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) capabilities.

This is a client-facing, delivery-focused role with opportunities to contribute to pre-sales, solution shaping, and thought leadership across Accenture engagements.

Responsibilities

Delivery Leadership (approx. 80%)

• Architect Microsoft Purview solutions for Information Protection, DLP, Insider Risk Management, Records Management, and Data Lifecycle Management.
• Design and implement DSPM for AI using Microsoft Purview’s AI-specific controls to secure generative AI platforms (e.g. Copilot, Fabric, OpenAI integrations).
• Lead AI data risk assessments, including oversharing analysis, data classification, and adaptive protection enforcement.
• Integrate Microsoft Defender suite (Defender for Cloud, Endpoint, Identity, Office 365, XDR) to protect against threats like data poisoning, jailbreaks, and credential theft.
• Establish compliance frameworks aligned to GDPR, EU AI Act, ISO 42001, and NIST AI RMF.
• Support pre-sales and solution shaping, including workshops, assessments, and roadmap development.
• Mentor junior architects and consultants, and contribute to AMBG capability building and innovation.
• Support client workshops and steer solution evolution during delivery.

Pre-sales & Solutioning (approx. 20%)

• Contribute to shaping opportunities and technical solutioning for pursuits.
• Support RFx responses with architecture inputs and delivery approach.
• Develop reusable assets and share best practices across the team.

Qualifications

We are looking for experience in the following skills:

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in Microsoft Purview: Information Protection, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Insider Risk Management, Records Management, and Data Lifecycle Management.
• Advanced configuration of sensitivity labels, retention policies, and adaptive protection across Microsoft 365 workloads.
• Implementation of Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for AI environments, including Microsoft Copilot, Fabric, and third-party LLMs.
• Risk modelling for prompt injection, oversharing, and data poisoning in generative AI workflows.
• Use of Microsoft Purview AI-specific controls for classification, policy enforcement, and reporting.

Manager-Level Skills (Data Security Architecture Lens):

• Experience leading data protection programmes
• Strong understanding of data governance, lineage, and compliance (Purview, security, privacy)
• Stakeholder management and ability to influence senior client decision-makers
• Competence in estimating, shaping SoWs, and managing RAIDs for large-scale data protection programmes

Certifications & Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in Microsoft 365 and Azure security architecture
• Deep understanding of AI data risks and compliance frameworks
• Certifications: SC-400, SC-401, SC-300, SC-100
• Microsoft Purview: Information Protection, DLP, Insider Risk, Records Management, DSPM for AI
• Microsoft Intune: Endpoint protection and policy enforcement
• Microsoft Fabric: Secure data engineering and AI development environments
• Microsoft Sentinel: SIEM/SOAR integration
• Security Copilot: Embedded and standalone threat detection and response
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills

What’s in it for you

At Accenture in addition to a competitive basic salary, you will also have an extensive benefits package which includes 30 days vacation.

Flexibility and mobility are required to deliver this role as there will be requirements to spend time onsite with our clients and partners to enable delivery of the first-class services, we are known for.

Closing Date for Applications

31/01/2026

Accenture reserves the right to close the role before this date should a suitable applicant be found.

Locations

• London
• Birmingham
• Edinburgh
• Leeds
• Manchester

Additional Information

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

Job candidates will not be obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest as part of the hiring process.

Accenture is committed to providing veteran employment opportunities to our service men and women.

Please read Accenture’s Recruiting and Hiring Statement for more information on how we process your data during the Recruiting and Hiring process.

About Accenture

We work with one shared purpose: to deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity. Every day, more than 775,000 of us help our stakeholders continuously reinvent. Together, we drive positive change and deliver value to our clients, partners, shareholders, communities, and each other.

We believe that delivering value requires innovation, and innovation thrives in an inclusive and diverse environment. We actively foster a workplace free from bias, where everyone feels a sense of belonging and is respected and empowered to do their best work.

At Accenture, we see well-being holistically, supporting our people’s physical, mental, and financial health. We also provide opportunities to keep skills relevant through certifications, learning, and diverse work experiences. We’re proud to be consistently recognized as one of the World’s Best Workplaces.

Join Accenture to work at the heart of change. Visit us at www.accenture.com