Pre-Sales Architect (Cyber Security/ Microsoft)

CGI; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology consulting firm in Reading is seeking a Pre-Sales Architect specializing in Cyber Security. The ideal candidate will support clients by engaging in the sales cycle and designing tailored solutions. Ideal applicants will have experience within an MSSP, particularly with Microsoft Sentinel and strong communication skills. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Excellent pension

Private healthcare

Share scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a presales, solutions architect, or technical consultancy role within a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP).
• Hands-on expertise with SIEM and EDR tooling, particularly Microsoft Sentinel.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, engaging early in the sales cycle.
• Take ownership of the technical content in proposals, RFIs, and RFP responses.
• Collaborate with Bid Teams to develop winning strategies.

Skills

Security Operations Center

Solutions Architecture

Technical Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Sentinel

SIEM

EDR

Job description

Pre-Sales Architect (Cyber Security/ Microsoft)

Category: Business Consulting, Strategy and Digital Transformation

Main location: United Kingdom, West Berkshire, Reading

Employment Type: Full Time

Position Description:

Trusted to see the whole picture. If you're ahead of the game on cyber security, systems and operations risk we can secure your career ambitions.

You'll join a collaborative team of more than 230 members delivering 360° security services to clients across every domain that CGI operates in, from government, defence, healthcare and utilities to banking and financial services.

CGI was recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work List 2025 and has been named one of the 'World's Best Employers' by Forbes magazine. We offer a competitive salary, excellent pension, private healthcare, plus a share scheme (3.5% + 3.5% matching) which makes you a CGI Partner not just an employee.

CGI are seeking a Microsoft pre-sales, cyber security, specialist that will work with us to bridge the gap between our client's needs and our service offerings. The successful candidate will bring real world experience from within an MSSP and have proven relationships within Microsoft.

Your future duties and responsibilities:

• Client Engagement & Solution Design: Act as a trusted advisor to clients, engaging early in the sales cycle to understand their security challenges and business goals.
• Lead solution scoping sessions and workshops, shaping bespoke MSS solutions aligned to client needs.
• Design and propose services across our portfolio, with particular focus on Microsoft Sentinel.
• Deliver tailored product demonstrations, technical deep-dives, and client presentations that clearly articulate value.

Proposal Development & RFP Responses:

• Take ownership of the technical content in proposals, RFIs, and RFP responses-ensuring solutions are clearly documented and commercially sound.
• Collaborate with Bid Teams to develop winning strategies and compelling service narratives.
• Maintain a library of reusable technical artefacts and boilerplate responses.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with our SOC team to ensure feasibility of proposed solutions and alignment to current capability.
• Provide feedback to product and delivery teams based on market insights and evolving client expectations.

Market & Technology Insight:

• Maintain a current and deep understanding of the MSS and SOC landscape, especially in relation to SIEM, SOAR, and EDR technologies.
• Stay on top of competitor positioning to help differentiate CGI's offering effectively in the market.
• Feed insights back into marketing and proposition development to help shape future offerings.

Required qualifications to be successful in this role:

• Proven experience in a presales, solutions architect, or technical consultancy role within a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP).
• Hands-on expertise with SIEM and EDR tooling, particularly Microsoft Sentinel.
• Sound understanding of SOC operations and broader MSS offerings (e.g., managed detection & response, managed pen testing, vulnerability management).
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills-comfortable presenting to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience shaping and responding to complex security RFPs and proposals.
• Ability to work across multiple engagements in parallel while maintaining high quality and attention to detail.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, high-accountability environment with a client-first mindset.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Win rate on MSS opportunities supported.
• RFP response quality and conversion rate.
• Quality and timeliness of proposals and SoWs.
• Client satisfaction and feedback during presales engagements.
• Accuracy and completeness of scoping (based on post-sales delivery feedback).
• Sales enablement support provided (e.g., training sessions, collateral development).

Behavioural Competencies:

• Commercially aware with a strong customer orientation
• Confident communicator with the ability to simplify the complex
• Team player who thrives in a collaborative environment
• Detail-driven and methodical, especially under time pressure
• Passionate about cybersecurity and staying ahead of the curve
• Self-starter who takes ownership and drives results

Skills:

• Security Operations Center
• Solutions Architecture
• Technical Architecture

What you can expect from us:

Together, as owners, let's turn meaningful insights into action. Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging.