Partner Solution Architect - Cloud & AI

Microsoft; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company seeks a Partner Solutions Architect to drive cloud solutions and partner engagement. You will lead development, accelerate technological adoption, and ensure solutions align with Microsoft Cloud priorities. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in cloud architecture, particularly with Microsoft Azure. This role is based in South Africa, Wes-Kaap and offers competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in cloud/infrastructure/SaaS.
• Proven experience in cloud architecture and solution design.
• Strong background in Microsoft Azure Infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and activation of partner offerings.
• Run technical innovation workshops.
• Provide architectural guidance and resolve technical blockers.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cloud architecture

Solution design

Partner enablement

Technical certification in cloud infra

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Business

Master's Degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Business

Tools

Microsoft Azure

Amazon Web Services

Google Cloud Platform

Job description

Overview

Microsoft has a dynamic and influential partner ecosystem that plays a critical role in driving growth and delivering successful outcomes for customers. This diverse ecosystem spans global strategic ISVs, industry-focused ISVs, systems integrators at every scale—global, regional, and local—as well as advisory firms and Microsoft Channel Partners. These partners bring a wealth of expertise, solutions, and services to the table, powered by the Microsoft Cloud, helping customers to achieve their digital transformation goals.

Microsoft Enterprise Partner Solutions (EPS) is the commercial organization accountable for driving Microsoft’s growth and success for customers through ISVs and Enterprise System Integrators. EPS defines and executes global partner ecosystem strategy with a focus on the entire partner lifecycle—ensuring seamless collaboration that empowers Microsoft to help customers achieve their digital transformation objectives.

As a Partner Solutions Architect, you will leverage your challenger mindset, deep technical leadership, understanding of the competitive landscape, and best-in-class interpersonal skills to grow our robust ecosystem of world-class partners enabling them to bring market-making and scalable business solutions to our customers.

Responsibilities

• Guide Solution Development & Activation - Lead the development and activation of new or enhanced partner offerings that align with Microsoft Cloud priorities. Ensure these solutions are robust, scalable, secure, and tailored to meet evolving customer needs.
• Empower Innovation - Run technical innovation workshops, tech briefings, and envisioning sessions to build technical intensity across partner teams. Collaborate with engineering and product teams to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies and shape partner offerings that align with both business goals and technical requirements.
• Strategic Sales Enablement - Activate transformational deals by providing architectural guidance, resolving technical blockers, and enhancing solution design. Contribute to workload consumption and revenue impact.
• Champion Technical Excellence - Guide partners through architecture design sessions, proofs-of-concept, and MVP builds. Ensure solutions follow MicrosoftCloud and AI best practices and are optimized for performance, scalability, and security.
• Thought Leadership & Stakeholder Management - Build long-term engagements with strategic partners, influence their adoption of Microsoft technologies, and develop deep technical relationships with CXOs to support joint success.
• Partner Enablement & Business Acumen - Coach broader partner technical teams to embed pre-sales, deployment, and consumption in solution development. Help partners build resilience to technical challenges, navigate competitive landscapes, and translate technical concepts into business value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business, or related field AND 10+ years experience in cloud/infrastructure/SaaS technologies, information technology (IT) consulting/support, systems administration, network operations, software development/support, technology solutions, practice development, architecture, and/or consulting
• OR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business, or related field AND 8+ years experience in cloud/infrastructure/SaaS technologies, technology solutions, practice development, architecture, and/or consulting
• OR equivalent experience
• Proven experience in cloud architecture, solution design, and partner enablement, particularly in large-scale or global engagements
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical innovation workshops, architecture reviews, and build-to-consume engagements with partners
• 8-10+ Years of related experience in technology IP solutions or services development, with a deep understanding of digital transformation business drivers, cloud platforms, and emerging Cloud Infra for AI trends
• Strong background and in-depth knowledge of cloud technologies, with a focus on Microsoft Azure Infrastructure (Compute, Storage, Networking, Security and Management)
• Technical Certification in Cloud Infra (e.g., Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google)

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.