Navigation Solution Architect - Virtual

Alight Solutions; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Alight Solutions is seeking a Solution Architect to apply domain expertise in H&W, HR, payroll, and cloud delivery models, while driving sales opportunities. The role collaborates with Sales and delivery leaders to shape scope, create compelling proposals, and demonstrate capabilities to clients.

Travel 25–50% of the time is expected, with a focus on building senior client relationships and delivering tailored solutions that align with client priorities and Alight’s value proposition.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of H&W administration and best practices.
• Ability to articulate Alight’s value proposition to clients.
• Experience collaborating with Sales and delivery teams to scope solutions.
• Proven track record in building senior client relationships.
• Strong communication and presentation skills for client meetings.

Responsibilities

• Lead solution scoping for large or complex deals across HR/Payroll/Benefits domains.
• Collaborate with Sales and subject matter experts to define platform/technology requirements.
• Develop client-tailored sales materials and demonstrations.
• Coordinate with Negotiations and Pricing to determine deal pricing and delivery.
• Stay current on market trends and inform product roadmap with market feedback.
• Support the contracting process from scope to pricing and statements of work.

Skills

H&W administration

Solution architecture

Sales collaboration

RFP experience

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Our Story

At Alight, we believe a company’s success starts with its people. Alight embraces values that come directly from our people – purposeful, human, united and growth‑minded – reflecting our inclusive culture and promise that our clients expect. We are passionate about connecting purpose with impact. Alight empowers clients to build a healthier and more financially secure workforce by unifying the benefits ecosystem across health, wealth, wellbeing, navigation, and absence management.

Our Benefits

With a comprehensive total rewards package, Alight offers programs and plans that support your mind, body, wallet, and life. Benefits include health, dental and vision coverages starting Day One. Additionally, Alight colleagues enjoy wellbeing programs, retirement plans with contribution matching, generous time off, parental leave, continuing education, and career growth opportunities – all within a thriving global organization.

Flexible Working

So that you can be your best at work and home, we consider flexible working arrangements wherever possible. Alight has been a leader in the flexible workspace and “Top 100 Company for Remote Jobs” 6 years in a row.

Great Place to Work

Thanks to the work of every colleague, Alight has received multiple awards of recognition including “Great Place to Work” for the past 7 years and Fortune’s “Best Companies to Work For.” To learn more about our company culture and awards Click Here.

The Role

The Solution Architect applies deep domain, product, industry and/or solution area expertise and an understanding of client priorities to create compelling solutions that bring our value proposition to life and increase our win and renewal rate during a sales process.

The Solution Architect is client-facing and collaborates with Sales through all stages of the sales process post‑identification – from introductory meetings to requests for proposals (RFP), finalist meetings, contracting and hand‑off to the delivery team(s). Upon request, the Solution Architect collaborates with Sales to develop product solutions scope and proposals, produce client‑tailored sales meeting materials, educate the client on the technical aspects and details of Alight solutions, conduct solutions demonstrations, and coordinate with Negotiations and Pricings teams to determine deal pricing and final proposal delivery. In addition, the Solution Architect is responsible for staying current on competitors, market and industry trends, compliance developments and Alight capabilities. Solution Architects are also an important source of market feedback, working closely with Alight product owners to inform our roadmap.

Responsibilities

Domain Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of H&W administration and best practices (e.g., plan designs and strategies, decision support, web/app functionality, Customer Care, HCM/Payroll and carrier integration, dependent verification, reimbursement accounts, analytics and compliance). Ideally, able to speak from experience gained in a H&W delivery, implementation or product development role.
• Takes ownership and provides Domain expertise for solutioning Health opportunities for prospective and current clients. Integrates with other Alight service areas (e.g., Payroll and Cloud, Wealth).
• Maintains expertise in Domain products and services and Alight’s overall capabilities. Articulates and communicates Alight’s value proposition and key differentiators.
• Collaborates with Delivery Leaders to stay connected to operations and delivery practices and share market insights. This network is utilized to ensure we are bringing the latest insights to the sales process.
• Utilizes knowledge in Alight’s product set across automation, analytics, value engineering, consumer experience, and others to enhance the solutions tailored to the prospect

Sales Process

• Collaborates with Large Market multi‑solutions or complex solutions Sales resources to develop and inform sales strategy in order to drive bookings and close opportunities
• Performs discovery and primarily leads product solution scoping for large, complex multi- or single solution deals (e.g., identify complexity drivers)
• Collaborates with Sales, subject matter experts, and business leaders to develop scope of Alight solution set and determine platform/technology
• Provides input to strategic questions related to defining the opportunity and overcomes customer objections to initiate and forward sales opportunities
• Generates demand by assisting clients to identify and qualify current needs and effectively articulate how Alight can add value
• Accountable for solution costing and coordinates with Finance and Sales, and Value engineers to construct business case
• Tailors materials and demo based on solution, client need and competitive landscape. Creates new materials where needed.
• Engaged in sales meetings, primarily answers solutions and technical questions, uses understanding of the client’s business and depth of knowledge to personalize the recommended solution –with ability to collaborate with other experts and leaders at the client and internally.
• Conducts and leads effective solution demonstrations – bringing the solution to life via storytelling vs. a feature/function demo.
• Documents the solution concisely and clearly throughout sales process, ensuring maximum transparency and knowledge transfer across delivery
• Supports the contracting process from a scope and solution point of view across statements of work, transition, commercials, and ensures that specifications of pricing are accurate to customer’s needs
• Collaborates with other Architects in scope development for multi‑solutions deals across products

RFP Support

• Reviews, updates, and provides input on RFP responses after initial draft is provided by the enablement team
• Creates responses for domain‑related RFP questions and engages subject matter experts where needed
• Creates client‑specific delivery model and service descriptions
• Owns Domain‑related follow ups (e.g., questions received from Third‑Party Evaluator)
• Assists with periodic review of RFP library content – ensure responses are compelling and reflect the latest on our solutions

Other

• Provides input to product owners – insights and feedback from prospects and Third‑Party Evaluators to inform priorities and enhancements
• Coordinates with business leaders and product owners to understand their needs and requirements of complex applications and on scope items that may require special development or staffing
• Coordinates with product owners to ensure that latest solution developments are reflected in sales materials and assist with building expertise in these areas
• Understand the competitive landscape and customer needs to position the Delivery organization effectively

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• HR/Payroll/Benefits administration and sales knowledge preferred
• 5 – 10 years of relevant experience in a range of domain area or related roles
• Deep knowledge of benefits, HR, payroll and/or cloud and delivery models, the capabilities of administration platforms, and compliance considerations
• Demonstrated track record applying domain expertise in client delivery or sales
• Agility and organizational skills to work in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple concurrent opportunities
• Excellent client communication and consulting skills – able to lead engaging conversations, adapt on the fly, negotiate as needed and have a point‑of‑view
• Proven experience in building and developing senior client relationships
• Experience in promoting a team environment
• Travel Expectation 25 – 50% of the time (sometimes on short notice) to support meetings with prospects

Application and Interview

By applying for a position with Alight, you understand that, should you be made an offer, it will be contingent on your undergoing and successfully completing a background check consistent with Alight’s employment policies. Background checks may include some or all the following based on the nature of the position: SSN/SIN validation, education verification, employment verification, and criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, credit check, and/or drug test. You will be notified during the hiring process which checks are required by the position.

Alight requires all virtual interviews to be conducted on video. Please be aware that Alight is a camera‑on culture and may require occasional travel to one of our physical office locations.

Our commitment to Inclusion

We celebrate differences and believe in fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We know that diverse teams are stronger, more innovative, and more successful.

At Alight, we welcome and embrace all individuals, regardless of their background, and are dedicated to creating a culture that enables every employee to thrive. Join us in building a brighter, more inclusive future.

Equal Opportunity Policy Statement

Alight is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate against anyone based on sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics or conduct covered by federal, state, or local law. In addition, we take affirmative action to employ disabled persons, disabled veterans, and other covered veterans.

Alight provides reasonable accommodations to the known limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants for employment with disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs, practices and observances, unless doing so would result in undue hardship. Applicants for employment may request reasonable accommodations/modifications by contacting their recruiter.

Authorization to work in the Employing Country

Applicants for employment in the country in which they are applying (Employing Country) must have work authorization that does not, now or in the future, require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the Employing Country and with Alight.

Note, this job description does not restrict management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job to other entities; including but not limited to subsidiaries, partners, or purchasers of Alight business units.

Salary Pay Range

Minimum : 122,000.00 USD

Maximum : 140,000.00 USD

Pay Transparency Statement: Alight considers a variety of factors in determining whether to extend an offer of employment and in setting the appropriate compensation level, including, but not limited to, a candidate’s experience, education, certification/credentials, market data, internal equity, and geography. Alight makes these decisions on an individualized, non‑discriminatory basis. Bonus and/or incentive eligibility are determined by role and level. Alight also offers a comprehensive benefits package; for specific details on our benefits package, please visit: Wellbeing and Benefits Selector Page - Alight

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job to other entities; including but not limited to subsidiaries, partners, or purchasers of Alight business units.

Note, this job description does not restrict management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job to other entities; including but not limited to subsidiaries, partners, or purchasers of Alight business units.