Solutions Architect

Why work for us:

• Vodafone are revolutionising how customers use technology and connectivity, ensuring they are ready for today and the digital innovation of tomorrow.
• We are heavily embedded in providing world-class Solutions and we strive to keep ourselves ahead of the game,which will give you the opportunity to lead the way in Telecommunications and work with the latest technologies.

Role Purpose:

• The Solutions Architect role is aligned to one or more major accounts running complex Vodafone services.
• A Trusted Advisor to the customer on all things technical – part of customer’s matrix technical leadership team – perceived as an impartial player, creating value through the exploitation of technology across complex multiple platform and/or technology areas.
• Primary customer interface - up to CIO level - for all technical design aspects of Vodafone’s solution.
• Accountable to the Head of Solution Design for design coherence, fitness for purpose and contractual compliance of the Vodafone solution.
• As a Solutions Architect you will work closely with other members of the team, including those that exist within Direct Sales and the wider Business and Vodafone teams.
• This will cover a range of disciplines i.e. Sales Team, Commercial, Operations, Product, Programmes & Projects and Service to ensure that the technology solution designed is fit for purpose and can be readily deployed and operated in a profitable manner.
• The key deliverables for the Solutions Architect are high-quality, commercially viable technology solutions that have been approved by the customer and all internal stakeholders.
• The Solutions Architect is responsible for creating the relevant documentation to established standards.
• This will detail the proposed solution that will be contracted with the customer with full equipment and delivery costs included.

Essence of Role – Key Accountabilities:

• Managing the end-to-end design activity on all aspects of Vodafones solution, driving the pace of adoption within the customer and mapping  offering to the customers business needs.
• Accounts typically with annual revenue greater than c. €1m, a virtual team of 4 or more technical specialists and complex stakeholder engagement.
• Leadership in understanding, designing & documenting requirements for the solutions in their designated technology area(s) (L2\L3 WAN, SDWAN, LAN, WLAN, UC, SIP, Security, Microsoft, AWS etc.).
• Creating and maintaining a 1, 2 and 3 year customer solution roadmap, drawing upon the customer’s business drivers, key industry trends and Vodafones  product portfolio, actively contributing to the Market Unit account development plan 
• Design of solutions to solve specific customer problems, starting from agreed requirements moving through conceptual and logical to physical designs; Understanding the limits of selected products / technologies and identifying high level options that can fulfil customer business need / fit with Strategy
• Creating and maintaining a 1, 2 and 3 year customer solution roadmap, drawing upon the customer’s business drivers, key industry trends and Vodafones’s product portfolio, actively contributing to the Market Unit account development plan.
• Story-telling with data:Create strategic roadmaps and governance structures to help customers achieve their business goals, and communicating this to senior business audiences.
• Business acumen:Knowledgeable in business strategy. Provide End-to-End solution leadership and ownership throughout the engagement.
• Technical: Data & Voice Networks, Cloud, ICT platforms and Enterprise/Solutions Architecture accreditation such as TOGAF
• Communication: Track record of working with CX and Board level customers understanding requirements and persuading them to engage with Vodafone
  
   

Sales

• Responsible for technical support during commercial discussions with Vodafone customers.
• Responsible for providing costs (BOM\PS effort\Support) for Finance approval. 
• Responsible for providing the technical component of bid material/Tender responses for Account Manager/Sales
• Responsible for supporting the Account Manager during the bid discussions\presentations with the customer
• Responsible for presenting the technical solution to client at peer level

Design

• Responsible for understanding and capturing the customer requirements, using additional resources where appropriate.
• Responsible for translating customer requirements into Vodafone language, product-set, SLAs, Professional Services efforts and producing design documentation according to Enterprise standards.
• Responsible for liaising with Product Management and other internal and external subject matter experts where additional product knowledge is required
• Responsible for articulating the technical solution to service and project management colleagues and ensuring that the solution design provides for a straight-forward deployment and meets business operational requirements
• Generation of High Level Design (HLD) Documentation for customer sign off.
• Responsible for ensuring that all designs include an appropriate Enterprise network or solution management component to support service design , monitoring, reporting and capacity planning
• Responsible for supporting the Project team, if required, to ensure customer project sign off

We Are Looking For You, If You Have:

• Min 10yrs experience with Cisco Expert level certifications or equivalent e.g. CCIE, CCDA etc. Multiple qualifications a distinct advantage.
• Industry Background in Telco, ICT and Consulting 
• Verbal & Written skill and ability articulate complex technical ideas to technical and non technical audiences and to be able to respond to complex tenders.
• Enterprise Architecture qualifications such as TOGAF or equivalent of benefit.
• Products: Extensive experience in Cisco\Aruba data & voice networks, Microsoft and Cloud Service provider (AWS\Google\Azure) products
• Understanding of Telecommunication and IT service models and their practical application (e.g. ITIL, ServiceNow)
• Demonstrate strong communication skills and ability to tailor communication and interaction style to different audiences (Internal\Partner\ Customer) in a clear and simple way
• Create a trust-based environment with customers and the solutions design team that encourages honesty, integrity and follow through on all actions

Who we are:

• Vodafone is pioneering Ireland's gigabit society.
• We are Ireland's leading total communications provider offering products and services make a real impact in the lives and communities of our customers. As part of Vodafone Group, we are part of the world's largest mobile community with a presence across all five continents.
• We’re at the forefront of innovation in Ireland. From delivering Gigabit speeds which offers the fastest game play for gamers, or helping people work from anywhere in the country, the work we do is at the cutting edge of technology and is constantly evolving.
• Our purpose is to connect for a better future, and this is made possible by our people.  
• No matter what your background, career stage or interests, we have opportunities across all areas of the business, which will help you explore and unlock your full potential.
• You will get to work in a fantastic environment where diversity and difference is valued, flexible working is the norm and you’ll get to play a role in delivering Ireland’s Gigabit Society!
• Our people are at the centre of everything we do.
• We employ approximately 1,300 people in Dublin and across our network of retail stores in Ireland.
• Our aim is to ensure each employee has the opportunity to innovate, to be challenged and to be rewarded.
• We are dynamic in everything we do, including our approach to training, development, performance management and flexible benefits.
• Vodafone is committed to support LGBT+ people at work.
• We are an equal opportunities employer where our people can be at their best.

When choosing us……….

When you join the Vodafone Team, you will have the chance to grow your career while also experiencing some serious benefits!

Some of the benefits that you will receive along the way are:

• Competitive Salary
• Flexible working (times and location) is part of our culture where your hours can facilitate your personal work-life balance
• Generous Employer Pension contribution
• Free Phone Bill – When you join the team, your phone bill is on us! You will also receive mobile phone purchasing discounts
• Learning and Development – We provide extensive training to all of our employees so they can progress in their careers! There is also the Vodafone University where our employees can gain incredible skills!
• Exclusive Family and Friends Discounts – Receive additional discounts for you, your Family and Friends on Vodafone Products!
• 23 days annual leave and 3 charity days off – PLUS  a dedicated day off for your birthday
• Access to our Wellness centre including free access to our Gym, health and wellness centre and external practitioners
• We are passionate about our employees!
• Here at Vodafone we want you to bring your whole self to work and we enable this with our progressive workplace policies.
• We are proud supporters of the LGBTQ+ community and Vodafone is committed to support all of their employees at work.
• We are an equal opportunities employers where our people can be at their best.