Copilot Studio Technical Lead

Avanade Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Avanade Inc. in Chicago is seeking a Copilot Studio Technical Lead to guide enterprise clients through strategy, design, architecture, governance, and adoption of Copilot Studio solutions within Microsoft 365, Azure, and Power Platform ecosystems.

You will lead end-to-end architecture, oversee deployments, and mentor teams while ensuring responsible AI practices and regulatory compliance across engagements.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering Copilot Studio/Power Platform in enterprise environments.
• Strong leadership of delivery teams, workshops, and client engagements.
• Expertise in security, governance, privacy, and enterprise compliance for AI solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end architecture of Copilot Studio solutions including copilots, plugins, connectors, data sources, and governance frameworks.
• Oversee deployment, testing, and operationalization with CI/CD and environment governance for Copilot solutions.
• Mentor consultants, drive client workshops, and translate business requirements into scalable architectures.

Skills

Copilot Studio

Power Platform

Solution Architecture

Azure Integration

Security & Compliance

Client Leadership

Education

Microsoft certifications

Tools

Azure Functions

Logic Apps

Dataverse

API Management

Job description

IntroductionThe Copilot Studio Technical Lead is responsible for leading enterprise clients through the strategy, design, architecture, governance, implementation, and adoption of Microsoft Copilot Studio solutions, serving as a trusted advisor who bridges technical expertise with strategic business outcomes. This role combines deep AI and Power Platform knowledge with consulting leadership to help organizations responsibly integrate intelligent copilots across their Microsoft 365, Azure, and enterprise digital ecosystems.

Join Avanade's AI Workforce practice and be at the forefront of enterprise AI transformation — architecting the next generation of intelligent Copilot solutions on Microsoft's most cutting-edge technologies. This is your opportunity to shape how global organizations adopt AI at scale, working alongside world-class practitioners on engagements that truly matter.

What you'll do

1. Solution Architecture & Design

Lead end-to-end architecture of Copilot Studio solutions including copilots, plugins, connectors, data sources, and governance frameworksTranslate business requirements into scalable, secure, and compliant architectures using Copilot Studio, Power Platform, Azure services, and Microsoft 365Lead AI use case assessment and platform fit analysis across Copilot Studio, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, Power Platform, and related enterprise toolsDesign conversational flows, orchestration logic, and integration patterns for enterprise copilotsDefine data models, lifecycle policies, and environment strategies using Dataverse and Azure resourcesEstablish architecture patterns that balance business value, technical feasibility, security, compliance, and operational readiness

2. Deployment & Implementation

Lead technical implementation across development, testing, deployment, and operationalizationConfigure Copilot Studio environments, connectors, authentication, and integration endpointsBuild and deploy plugins, custom connectors, and automation using Power Automate, Azure Functions, Logic Apps, and API ManagementEstablish CI/CD pipelines, ALM processes, and environment governance for Copilot solutionsSupport production readiness by defining testing approach, monitoring needs, escalation paths, and documentation.

3. Client Engagement & Leadership

Facilitate workshops, discovery sessions, and roadmap planning with business and technical stakeholdersAdvise clients on AI adoption, responsible AI practices, and enterprise governance modelsLead delivery teams, manage workstreams, and ensure high-quality deliverablesCommunicate complex technical concepts to executive audiences with clarity and confidenceServe as the bridge between business users, IT, security, data owners, platform teams, and engineering teams to move ideas from concept to approved implementation

4. Security, Compliance & Responsible AI

Define enterprise Copilot Studio operating models, including intake, triage, approval workflows, environment strategy, connector governance, DLP alignment, lifecycle management, and production readiness criteriaImplement identity, access, and data governance controls using Entra ID, Dataverse, and Microsoft 365Ensure copilots adhere to responsible AI, privacy, and compliance requirementsConduct risk assessments, security reviews, and architectural validationPartner with client security, compliance, legal, platform, and business stakeholders to ensure solutions are approved, supportable, and aligned to enterprise AI standardsHelp clients define what copilots should and should not do, including boundaries for autonomous actions, human-in-the-loop review, sensitive data access, and system-of-record updates

5. Operational Readiness & Change Management

Support user adoption, training, and operational readiness activitiesDevelop documentation, runbooks, and governance artifactsPartner with change management teams to ensure successful rollout and sustained usageDefine adoption measures, usage reporting, feedback loops, and continuous improvement processes to help clients move beyond pilot/demo efforts into sustainable enterprise adoption

6. Thought Leadership & Practice Development

Contribute to Avanade's AI and Power Platform communities through reusable assets, accelerators, and best practicesMentor junior consultants and support capability development across the practiceStay current with Microsoft AI innovations and emerging technologiesSupport internal offering development by contributing lessons learned, delivery patterns, governance templates, and client-ready acceleratorsStrong technical foundation and hands-on experience in Microsoft Copilot Studio, Power Platform, and enterprise AI solution design, with the ability to lead complex client conversations with confidence.Passionate about emerging AI technologies and committed to responsible, ethical AI practicesSkilled at simplifying complex technical concepts for non-technical and executive audiencesCollaborative mindset with an unwavering focus on client success and delivering measurable outcomesProven ability to mentor and develop junior consultants, fostering a culture of continuous learningHolds or actively pursuing relevant Microsoft certifications including AI-102, PL-600, and AZ-305, demonstrating a commitment to technical excellenceDemonstrated track record of delivering AI and Power Platform solutions in complex enterprise environments, from initial strategy through to sustained adoptionComfortable operating at the intersection of advisory, architecture, governance, delivery leadership, and hands-on technical validation

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.

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

Please read Avanade's Hiring and Privacy Statement for more information on how we process your data during the Recruiting and Hiring process.