Solution Architect

Zones IT Solutions; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Hybrid working

Training and development opportunities

Employee discounts

Job summary

Zones is seeking a Solution Architect for the EMEA region to translate complex business and technology requirements into scalable, secure solutions. The role partners with customers, account executives, engineering teams, and partners throughout the lifecycle, from discovery to implementation.

You will design solutions spanning cloud, networking, security, and modern workplace, aligning tech decisions with business outcomes and engaging with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in CS/Engineering/Business.
• At least 5 years in an enterprise environment.
• Minimum 2 years in a pre-sales technical role.
• Strong written, presentation and verbal communication and ability to present tech recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Translate client requirements into scalable, secure solutions.
• Collaborate with customers, account executives, engineering teams and partners throughout the lifecycle.
• Develop solution architectures and evaluate technical requirements and risks.
• Prepare SOWs and services estimates; support proposals and go-to-market efforts.
• Build and maintain relationships with partners and customers to identify opportunities.

Skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Verbal communication

Pre-sales experience

Technical certifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business

Tools

Cisco solutions

Dell EMC

HPE gear

NetApp

VMware

Job description

Description

Company Overview:

When it comes to IT solution providers, there are a lot of choices. But when it comes to providers with innovative and differentiating end-to-end service offerings, there’s really only one: Zones – First Choice for Technology Solutions

Zones is a Global Solution Provider of end-to-end IT solutions with an unmatched supply chain. Positioned to be the IT partner you need, Zones, a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in business for over 35 years, specializes in Digital Workplace, Cloud & Data Center, Networking, Security, and Managed/Professional/Staffing services. Operating in more than 120 countries, leveraging a robust portfolio, and utilizing the highest certification levels from key partners, including Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, Lenovo, Adobe, and more, Zones has mastered the science of building digital infrastructures that change the way business does business ensuring whatever they need, they can Consider IT Done. Follow Zones, LLC on Twitter @Zones, and LinkedIn and Facebook.

Position Overview:

The Solution Architect, EMEA serves as a trusted technical advisor to customers and sales teams, translating complex business and technology requirements into scalable, secure, and commercially viable solutions. This role partners closely with customers, account executives, engineering teams, technology partners, and delivery organizations throughout the solution lifecycle, from initial discovery and technical strategy through solution design, proposal development, and transition to implementation.

The Solution Architect will bring broad technical expertise across areas such as cloud and infrastructure, networking, security, modern workplace, data center, and managed services, while maintaining the ability to connect technology decisions to business outcomes. The role requires strong customer-facing skills and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders ranging from technical teams to senior business leaders.

Working across the EMEA region, this individual will help develop solution architectures, evaluate technical requirements, identify risks and dependencies, support statements of work and proposals, and ensure recommended solutions align with customer needs, technical standards, and delivery capabilities.

What you’ll do as a Solution Architect:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position, and the duties and responsibilities may change without notice.

This role requires up to 50% travel

• Planning and Reporting with the VP of Services EMEA, Sales Management and Advanced Solutions to manage pipeline towards goal achievement
• Joint Account Planning to help identify opportunities in accounts
• Sales Calls and Presentations to Identify and Close Solutions Opportunities
• Solutions Development based on the clients/prospects requirements
• Joint Bid and Proposal Development with Sales
• Prepare SOWs and Services Estimates
• Equipping and Training the Sales Organization on Solutions and How to Find Opportunities
• Pipeline Management and Forecasting of Product and Services Revenue/GM for Defined market
• Prospecting and Develop Opportunities Independently as time permits
• Working with Manufacturers, OEMs, and Software Publishers (Partners)
• Build and Maintain Regional and Local Relationships with Partners Channel and Direct Sales Organizations
• Go to Market Planning with Partners to Identify the Best Opportunity Areas and Accounts to Target
• Develop and Deliver with marketing and Partners – Demand Generation Campaigns and Events
• Maintain Certifications as Necessary to Enable Zones to be able to Resell the Products, and Maintain the Highest Level of Vendor Rebates and Lowest Cost
• Working with Clients
• Build and Maintain Relationships, Particularly Technical Relationships in Assigned Accounts as Appropriate to Farm Additional Opportunities
• Perform Needs Assessments as Appropriate
• Perform Short Term Billable Engagements to Keep Skill Set Short, Offset Some Cost of Sales. These are generally Assessment, Proof of Concept, or Architectural type of Engagements
• Strong business acumen and understanding of clients IT related business goals and challenges to ensure proper translation of the client’s needs into technology solutions
• Ensure Customer Satisfaction Levels with Stated Goal of 100%
• Support other Geographic Areas and Practices as Needed based on Skillset, Demand, and Availability
• Keep Pipeline, Forecast, Time and Billing, Project and Activity Reporting Current based with Defined Tools and Meeting Submittal Deadlines.
• Support and Work with Expert Connect in Configuration, Bill of Material and Solution Definitions to ensure Accuracy and Quality of Orders

What you will bring to the team:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business or related discipline; equivalent years of experience is acceptable
• At least 5 years of experience in an enterprise environment and a minimum of 2 years in a pre-sales technical role
• Excellent written, presentation, and verbal communication skills including demonstrated experience presenting technology recommendations from a business perspective
• Understanding of the industry, market, customers, competitors, suppliers, partners and capabilities of the business.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and management.
• Professional, business-focused attitude and courteous manner towards clients, partners, and peers
• Technology Focus and Requirements
• Comfortable interacting with employees at all levels of a large organization, including C-level executives in a technical pre-sales capacity and the ability to design and architect solutions from OEM validated designs from major industry leaders including: Cisco, Dell/EMC, HPE, NetApp, Nutanix, VMware.
• Extensive experience with enterprise network routing, switching, WAN, wired and wireless solutions.
• Strong working knowledge of Spine/Leaf and ACI/SDN topologies.
• Understanding of stand-alone and controller-based architectures.
• Active technical certifications from technology leaders like Cisco, Dell/EMC, HPE, Microsoft, NetApp, Nutanix, VMware, and other relevant network solutions.

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Zones offers a comprehensive Benefits package

At Zones, we're proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and success of our team members. Your health is important to us, so we truly embrace hybrid working. Additional benefits include private medical insurance, with access to a range of wellness programs aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. We believe that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce.

Investing in your professional growth and development is a priority for us. Our benefits package includes opportunities for training and development, as we want to support you in reaching your career goals and unlocking your full potential. In addition to the core benefits outlined above, we offer a range of additional perks and benefits to enhance your experience as a valued member of our team. These may include discounts on gym memberships, retail purchases, travel packages, and more.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.