Business Architect

NWN; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Health Savings Account (HSA) and FSAs

401(k) with company match

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

NWN is seeking a Business Architect in Massachusetts to own the technical sale during customer and partner pre-sales activities. The role blends technology, security, cloud, data center and AI focus across NWN offerings.

You will lead scoping, design, and proposal development with cross-functional teams and ensure a successful handoff to customer success after engagement. Hybrid work model offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems preferred or related experience.
• 4-6 years of experience in a technical leadership role on small to medium-size projects in the areas of integration or support services.
• Knowledge of Networking, Security, End User Computing, Cloud and Data Center Industry and Solutions.
• Industry certifications required or strongly preferred, including Cisco, AWS, Palo Alto Networks, or equivalent certifications from leading technology vendors.
• Defined area of Specialization supported by certification or equivalent experience (Route Switch, Unified Communications, Contact Center, Wireless, Server, Storage, Virtualization, Cloud, AI).
• Demonstrated comfort with adopting emerging AI tools and technologies to optimize processes, improve collaboration, and drive operational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Successfully plans and executes sales activities within the sales process.
• Total ownership of the technical sale during customer and partner pre-sales activities.
• Leads sales and partners in scoping NWN Offerings to meet customer requirements.
• Analyzes client business needs and recommends appropriate business solution/strategy.
• Participates in the planning and design process by assessing current state and desired outcome.
• Identifies, coordinates technical solution development activities in pursuit of formal proposal development.
• Monitors the engagement process and obtains additional resources as needed.

Skills

Technical leadership

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Time management

Organizational skills

Client interface

Visio

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems

Tools

Cisco CCNA/CCNP/CCIE

AWS Certifications

Palo Alto Networks PCNSA/PCNSE/PCCSE

VMware/NetApp/Dell EMC certifications

Job description

The Business Architect role is responsible for complete technical ownership of the sale during customer and partner pre-sales activities. This is a strategic role focusing on a blended mix of technical and business-related initiatives. This role will focus on emerging technologies including security, data center/cloud, contact center and AI solutions.

Essential, key job responsibilities for this role include, but are not limited to:

• Successfully plans and executes sales activities within the sales process.
• Total ownership of the technical sale during customer and partner pre-sales activities.
• Leads sales and partners in scoping NWN Offerings to meet customer requirements.
• Analyzes client business needs and recommends appropriate business solution/strategy.
• Participates in the planning and design process by assessing current state and desired outcome.
• Identifies, provides leadership to, and coordinates technical solution development activities in pursuit of formal proposal development.
• Identifies and engages Subject Matter Experts for discreet service offerings identified in the technical solution.
• Monitors the engagement process and obtains additional resources as needed.
• Sets up and executes evaluation activities that prove NWN Offerings.
• Identifies and develops technical champions; neutralizes challengers within the account.
• Ensures complete handshake to customer success organization.
• Ability to create/modify Bill of Materials, Scope of Work documents

Technical Knowledge:

• Technical expertise in (2) primary offerings
• High-level expertise in (3) additional offers (progressive training and learning required)
• Demonstrates significant expertise in NWN's Core Offerings.
• Masters Command of the Message and Sale principles.
• Conduct sales presentations to convey the value of NWN solutions.
• Builds impactful pilot/POCs that prove impact on customer business/requirements.
• Comprehensive product, competitive, industry and functionality knowledge.
• Continues education of self and others; facilitates knowledge transfer across the organization.

Client and partner engagement:

• Provides technical expertise through sales presentation product demonstration of NWN offerings.
• Maximizes results by anticipating and neutralizing obstacles/objections within an account.
• Adds value to customer by staying up-to-date on market trends and articulating tangible benefits across customer audiences.
• Excites and commits prospects with persuasive demos, meetings, and presentations (formal/informal).
• Actively engages and influences partner community.
• Provides long-term strategy sustaining technical account management.

Foundational Attributes:

• Works effectively as a team member, leads the organization and effectively orchestrates internal and external resources.
• Actively collaborates with and provides feedback to the Offerings Management team and Subject Matter Experts resources within the presales team.
• Effectively communicates with all critical resources throughout the sales process.
• Drives accountability of self and all team members to ensure execution of action items.
• Humility to learn, master and follow NWN processes.
• Creativity in framing a deal and positioning NWN Offerings to meet the client's business objectives.
• Passionate business problem solver for customers.
• Possess solid business acumen skills: Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving, Communication Effectiveness & Influence, Financial Literacy, Analytical Skills, Risk/Exposure Evaluation, Critical Thinking, etc.
• Position requires on-going self-study to continuously improve skills relative to strategic technology direction and service offerings.
• Recurring report requirements may include but are not limited to: time sheets, expense reports, billable time sheets, task completion documentation

The following are minimum qualifications and requirements required for this role:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems preferred or related experience.
• 4-6 years of experience in a technical leadership role on small to medium-size projects in the areas of integration or support services.
• Knowledge of Networking, Security, End User Computing, Cloud and Data Center Industry and Solutions.
• Involvement in Industry Councils, User Groups, as appropriate.
• Experience working with solution design, job costing and quality planning.
• Experience working in a project/team environment.
• Must possess excellent time management skills.
• Must possess good organizational skills.
• Must possess excellent client/customer interface skills.
• Must possess working knowledge of Visio.
• Ability to develop/ deliver management presentations.
• Proficient in MS-Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Able to architect and design detailed configurations for complex Communications Systems.
• Excellent relationship skills.
• Excellent verbal written communication skills are required.
• Industry certifications required or strongly preferred, including Cisco (CCNA, CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, CCIE), HPE Aruba (ACSA, ACSP, ACCX, ACDX), Amazon Web Services (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Solutions Architect Associate/Professional, Advanced Networking Specialty), Palo Alto Networks (PCNSA, PCNSE, PCCSE), or equivalent certifications from leading technology vendors. Additional certifications in VMware, NetApp, Dell EMC, Microsoft Azure, Fortinet, and related infrastructure, cloud, networking, and security technologies are highly desirable.
• Defined area of Specialization supported by certification or equivalent experience (i.e. Route Switch, Unified Communications, Contact Center, Wireless, Server, Storage, Virtualization, Backup and Recovery, Cloud, AI, VDI). Required
• Demonstrated comfort with adopting emerging AI tools and technologies to optimize processes, improve collaboration, and drive operational effectiveness.

Travel: Local as needed.

At NWN, we provide a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being in and out of work. This includes medical, dental, and vision plans, Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), income protection through disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match. Enjoy unlimited PTO, paid company holidays, hybrid/remote work, paid bonding leave for eligible employees, employee discounts, and access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additional offerings include accident, critical illness, long-term care, and hospital indemnity coverages, legal and identity theft protection, pet insurance, supplemental life insurances, referral bonuses, charitable donation matching, and allowances for eligible roles. Join a team that values the health and wellbeing of all our employees!

All offers of employment at NWN are contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. This process ensures a safe and secure work environment for all employees.

NWN is an Equal Opportunity Employer: NWN provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment free from unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other status or condition protected by local, state or federal law.