Pre-Sales Service Architect

Summary

Join Version 1 as a Pre-Sales Service Architect and play a crucial role in designing and proposing tailored IT solutions. Collaborate with the sales team to understand client requirements, develop comprehensive service solutions, build proposals, and present them to potential clients. Work on managed service transitions and create service designs. This role demands a deep understanding of IT managed services, excellent communication skills, and the ability to translate technical concepts into business value. You will develop and design IT service solutions, ensure solutions are scalable and secure, and have good commercial awareness. You will also work closely with the sales team, conduct customer meetings, and serve as the technical point of contact. Create detailed service proposals, collaborate with internal teams, and stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. Work closely with internal teams to ensure smooth transitions and communicate effectively with customers and technical teams.

Requirements

• Strong experience in a pre-sales, solutions architecture, or technical consulting role within the IT managed services industry
• Expertise in bid and proposal writing for one or all of the following: ITTs, RFIs, RFPs and pre-market engagements
• Good knowledge of IT infrastructure, cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure), cybersecurity, networking, and end-user support, and how these interrelate as part of a multi-tower offering
• Proven expertise in designing and presenting complex IT solutions to clients
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to understand and translate customer business needs into technical solutions
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Responsibilities

• Develop and design comprehensive IT service solutions that align with client requirements, including infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, network management, service desk, service management and end-user services support
• Ensure solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with industry best practices and compliance standards
• Have good commercial awareness and be able to articulate the commercial impacts of technical challenges and opportunities
• Work closely with the sales team to understand customer needs and objectives
• Conduct customer meetings, presentations, and workshops to gather detailed requirements and present proposed solutions
• Serve as the technical point of contact for customers (from a service perspective) during the pre-sales process
• Create detailed and high-quality service proposals, including service architectures, service descriptions, input into pricing models, and compelling written responses. Plus input into transition plans
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Service Delivery, Managed Services offerings, Sales, Business Support) to ensure all aspects of the solution are feasible and well documented
• Stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in IT managed services
• Provide technical guidance and support to the sales team and other stakeholders
• Conduct competitive analysis to identify key differentiators and advantages of proposed solutions
• Provide input and leadership into service improvements within the commercial team
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure a smooth transition from pre-sales to implementation
• Communicate effectively with customers, sales teams, and technical teams to ensure alignment and understanding of proposed solutions
• Provide feedback and insights to improve service offerings and pre-sales processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL, AWS, Azure etc.) are a plus, not an essential
• Customer first mindset with a strong understanding of business drivers and outcomes
• A no ego approach with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently when required
• Personal commitment and drive to ensure timely delivery of required artefacts
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple bids, pre-market engagements and value add projects simultaneously
• High level of honesty, integrity and professionalism/excellence

Benefits

• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme
• Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more
• Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies
• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat
• Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & ‘Call-Out’ platform
• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes