Senior Microsoft Cloud Architect

Cynet Systems Inc; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking an experienced IT professional to lead cloud modernization projects and facilitate the adoption of cloud technologies. The role involves strategic communication with stakeholders, technical implementation, and change management initiatives. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Microsoft 365 and cybersecurity, ensuring successful project execution and user adoption.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of IT experience with 4 years in Microsoft 365 or cybersecurity.
• Experience in technical implementation and executive communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver presentations for leadership audiences.
• Lead enterprise-wide change management initiatives.
• Create project timelines and coordinate with project managers.

Skills

Technical Implementation

Executive Communication

Change Management

Education

8+ years of IT engineering or architecture experience

Tools

Microsoft Entra ID

Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Defender for Office 365

SharePoint Online

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Job Description

Responsibilities:

Leadership Communication And Strategic Alignment:

• Develop and deliver compelling, visual presentations (e.g., roadmaps, dashboards, milestone charts) for leadership audiences.
• Translate highly technical information into clear, plain-language briefings tailored to non-technical stakeholders.
• Present updates and recommendations during IT Steering Committee meetings and Town leadership strategy sessions.
• Align cloud modernization projects with Town priorities, budget planning, staffing readiness, and organizational change goals.

Technology Implementation And Execution:

• Configure and manage Microsoft Entra ID, Active Directory synchronization, and Intune deployment for full MDM/MAM lifecycle management.
• Lead the hands-on deployment and governance of Zero Trust Security Controls, including MFA, Conditional Access, DLP policies, and legacy protocol blocking.
• Manage Microsoft Defender for Office 365, including Secure Score, policy tuning, and threat mitigation.
• Oversee SharePoint Online & Microsoft Teams migration, permissions model, governance, and user onboarding.
• Perform root cause analysis, remediation, and ongoing optimization of cloud systems.
• Collaborate with vendors to ensure technical deliverables follow Microsoft best practices and align with the Town’s architecture standards.

Change Management And Adoption Enablement:

• Lead enterprise-wide change management initiatives to facilitate smooth adoption of cloud technologies.
• Create tailored communication plans, training sessions, end-user readiness assessments, and FAQs.
• Work with department leads to identify training gaps and develop communication materials.
• Monitor user adoption metrics, system usage, and feedback to refine strategies.
• Anticipate resistance and create support structures to sustain engagement post-deployment.

Project Mapping, Coordination And Risk Management:

• Create project timelines, interdependency maps, and resource forecasts.
• Coordinate with project managers to track milestones and mitigation plans.
• Ensure smooth execution by coordinating between vendors, IT staff, and stakeholders.
• Identify and escalate delays or scope issues to maintain project momentum.

Training, Documentation And End-User Support:

• Conduct Town-wide training and onboarding sessions.
• Create and maintain training guides and troubleshooting documentation.
• Provide Tier 2/3 support for escalated issues.
• Maintain operational runbooks and knowledge base content.

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of IT engineering or architecture experience, with at least 4 years in Microsoft 365, cloud infrastructure, or cybersecurity.
• Experience in technical implementation and executive communication.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Entra ID, AD Connect, and IAM concepts.
• Experience with Microsoft Intune MDM/MAM.
• Expertise in SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams, and OneDrive governance.
• Design and implementation experience with Conditional Access, DLP, MFA, and Zero Trust security.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Defender for Office 365.