Workplace Delivery Architect (M365)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and template standardised Microsoft 365 and related 3rd party solutions that meet business requirements and ensure scalability, reliability, and security.
• Develop and contribute to company-wide technology policies, practices, and standards.
• Contribute to improving ways of working within the technology practices.
• Collaborating in cross-functional teams across technical practices to develop cross-portfolio solutions using Microsoft 365 and associated 3rd party applications.
• Create and maintain documentation for Microsoft 365 solutions and infrastructure, including integration points with 3rd party applications.
• Stay up to date with the latest Microsoft 365 technology trends and provide expert guidance to clients on leveraging these technologies effectively.
• Identifying opportunities to modernise existing customer environments.
• Collaborating with other engineers to improve tools, processes, and working practices.
• Leverage your expertise as the SME to guide and support the SA team, ensuring that our solutions not only meet but exceed customer expectations.
• Mentor and provide guidance for engineers within the team.

Teams to collaborate with

• Portfolio and Propositions - collaborate to provide engineering support for the Workplace & Cloud Portfolio. Provide feedback to improve customer solutions. 
• Solutions Architecture – support team with technical expertise as the SME, to help underpin and translate client need and create a design proposal.  
• Customer Experience and Managed Services – collaborate to ensure a smooth service transition from technical delivery into in-life support where required. 

Behavioural competencies – organisational and behavioural fit.

• Flexible and creative to take considered risks.
• Learn and adapt quickly to changing situations.
• Self-motivated and able to work under pressure.
• Ability to travel to different sites and locations when required.
• Manages conflict and challenges in an open and constructive manner.

Critical competencies – technical fit

• Expertise across the Microsoft 365 stack, with in-depth knowledge of Intune, Purview, and related technologies.
• Experience in designing, deploying, demonstrating and managing M365 solutions and services.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work with clients to understand their business requirements.
• Ability to take business requirements and translate them into high-level (HLD) and low-level designs (LLD).
• Ability to articulate design decisions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven skills in accurately gathering requirements, coupled with the ability to effectively lead and deliver customer workshops, ensuring stakeholder needs are thoroughly understood and met.
• Strong service orientation with a demonstrable commitment to customer service.
• Ability to contribute effectively to sales activities, including writing propositions and bid tenders.
•  Effective change management and adoption strategies to ensure a smooth transition and uptake of new technologies.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, contributing to a collaborative work environment and sharing knowledge and best practices with colleagues.
• A commitment to continuous professional development to ensure up-to-date knowledge of the latest Microsoft 365 features, security practices, and integration capabilities. This includes participating in relevant training, certifications, and industry events.

Demonstrable experience with the following technologies:

• In-depth expertise across the Microsoft 365 stack, including, but not limited to, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange Online, and a strong understanding of Microsoft Entra Identity and Access Management solutions.
• Proven experience with Microsoft Intune for device and application management and Purview for compliance and information protection.
• Exceptional ability to present complex technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, showcasing the ability to tailor presentations and discussions based on the audience's level of expertise.
• Strong track record of creating comprehensive, detailed documentation for technical solutions, ensuring clarity and accessibility for engineers and/or end-users. This includes high-level and low-level design documents, user guides, and best practice recommendations.
• Experience engaging with customers during the sales process, effectively demonstrating the capabilities and benefits of Microsoft 365 solutions and how they meet the customer's business requirements.

Desirable:

Demonstrable experience with the following technologies:

• Familiarity with integrating third-party solutions to enhance and secure Microsoft 365 environments, providing comprehensive, end-to-end solutions.
• Experience with additional Microsoft services like Viva or CoPilot, enriching the workplace experience through advanced engagement, productivity, and AI tools.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 licensing models and strategies for optimisation, helping organisations maximise their investment.
• Demonstrated ability to use PowerShell and/or Microsoft Graph for automation, reporting, and management tasks within the Microsoft 365 environment, showcasing advanced technical capability.
• Exposure to or experience with other cloud services platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP), indicating a broader understanding of cloud ecosystems and their interoperability with Microsoft 365.
• Experience with MSPs, including developing or contributing to service offerings, familiarity with the Microsoft Partner Portal, and knowledge of secure administration practices.
• Previous involvement in Agile methodologies and DevOps principles application in project delivery, highlighting a flexible and efficient approach to work.
• Experience in leading people or mentoring engineers, demonstrating leadership skills and the ability to foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team.

About Claranet

Founded at the beginning of the dot.com bubble in 1996, our CEO Charles Nasser had a light bulb moment to develop a truly customer-focused IT business. Since then, Claranet has grown from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the UK to being one of the leading business modernisation experts, who deliver solutions across 11+ countries.

At Claranet, we’re experienced in implementing progressive technology solutions which help our customers solve their epic business challenges. We’re committed to understanding their problems, delivering answers quickly, and making a lasting impact to their business.

We are agile, focused and experienced in business modernisation. Our approach helps customers make genuine, significant shifts in their business strategy, to deliver financial savings, boost innovation, and create a resilient business. We continually invest in our people and the latest technologies, so our customers get peace of mind knowing that they have access to the best talent and services.

In the UK we have over 500 staff working in London, Gloucester, Warrington, Bristol, and Leeds, or as homeworkers.

Working for Claranet

Here at Claranet we pride ourselves on going the extra mile for and with our employees (yes, we really mean with). We offer an extensive benefits package that you can tailor to your needs, inclusive of a matching contribution pension scheme, healthcare, insurance, dental, discounted gyms and app supported benefit access.   

But what we think makes us different is ‘Team Claranet,’ our dedicated internal part of the business that supports you with matters close to your heart. We proudly support local charities in each of our office locations, support employees with paid charity leave, organise key charity fundraising event per year and have a dedicated committee responsible for supporting employee’s fundraising efforts.

Claranet are one of the 10 founding members of TC4RE (Technology Community for Racial Equality.) Being a part of a group of leading UK technology organisations, we are dedicated to building a more diverse and inclusive workforce. We are also very proud members of Tech Talent Charter, a government supported, industry-led membership group created to address the UK’s tech talent shortage and diversity gap through collective action.

Our Vision

Our vision is to become the most trusted technology solutions partner; renowned for being the best and brightest, having lasting impact with our customers and delivering exceptional returns to our stakeholders.

Position Summary

The Workplace Delivery Architect will be an integral part of our Modern Workplace Practice, focusing on designing and implementing solutions that leverage the Microsoft 365 suite and 3^rd party applications to meet our clients' diverse needs. This role is pivotal in ensuring that our Microsoft 365-based solutions are developed to the highest standards, incorporating best practices and innovative approaches to meet and exceed customer expectations. The Workplace Delivery Architect will engage with customers to thoroughly understand their business challenges and objectives, providing expert advice on utilising workplace technologies effectively to address these needs. By combining deep technical expertise with a keen understanding of business processes, this role will deliver tailored, future-proof solutions that enhance workplace collaboration, productivity, and security.

Role Mission

Claranet’s strategy is to build long-term, trusted relationships with its customers by delivering market-leading, integrated managed services. To support this, we are seeking a Workplace Delivery Architect to join our team, focusing on delivering expert Microsoft 365 and 3^rd party solutions to enhance our clients' productivity, collaboration, and security.

Objectives and Key Results

• Contribute to the target of 70% of services are scalable and repeatable.
• Ensures that solutions are engineered in a manner that is scalable and repeatable to optimise delivery efficiency and commercial cost-effectiveness. 
• Use design and delivery methodologies that are industry best practice and consistent where possible across the team.
• Ensure that products and services are engineered and delivered to the leading market standards, using where possible repeatable designs.