Technical Design Architect - Modern Workplace (Microsoft)

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Modern Workplace specialist to join us as a Technical Design Architect.

In this role, you will define and lead the strategy for modern work solutions, Microsoft services and supporting technologies. Develop a clear working process for all Modern Work solutions, with Marketing, Sales and the Support Services Divisions, and establish technology, architectures and vendor selection in line with business goals, digital transformation initiatives, and emerging technology trends for all Modern Work solutions.

Our TDA will define concise Go to Market solutions across the Modern Work services, clarify a concise Microsoft strategy and assist in developing and evolving a robust vendor relationship with Microsoft and supporting partners.

This is a customer facing role with travel to meetings across the UK.

Please note that this role can work on a hybrid basis from one of our UK offices, or from home. You must be able to travel to ARO offices and customers and have your own transport.

What you'll do

• Establish and enforce standards, reference architectures, and design patterns for Modern Work and Microsoft Solutions in accordance with industry and company best practices.
• Provide technological ownership of functional solutions and direction for training adoption and development across the sales teams and wider ARO business including service and support and delivery teams.
• Provide a clear message to clients and prospects across the wider Modern Work solution offering, aligned to appropriate industry, validated references, and compliance standards.
• Draft or review technical schedules, technical designs and concepts including scope of works, discovery documentation or schedules of work.
• Prepare presentation solution compliance matrices, architectural diagrams, and risk registers with supporting narratives.
• Support and attend client opportunity meetings to assist with the group's development and growth.
• Devise client specific solutions to meet business objectives in a timely manner.
• Provide appropriate detailed handover and High Level Design documentation to assist in the swift execution and progress of each opportunity. Support the development and education of the sales teams and assist with the development of the business pipeline.
• Work proactively with the Projects and Engineering teams to ensure smooth transition of opportunities and successful delivery of the projects and solutions devised.
• Provide the go to market message and value statements about niche technology offerings or USPs.
• Attend conferences, trade shows and client meetings as required to provide clarification meetings or presentations with clients to explain solution rationale and long-term benefits.
• Proactively work with and develop key vendors to underpin the Modern Work GTM.
• Promote a positive mindset, acting as a mentor and supporting the culture of the ARO group.
• Be responsible for the 365 solution and architecture by providing the technical guidance required to understand, plan, and implement integrated Microsoft 365 solutions for enterprise resource planning and secure and compliant modern collaboration.
• Architecture design principles:
  • Align with Microsoft Cloud Architecture Models
  • Adopt Microsoft 365 Collaboration Principles
  • Adopt Microsoft 365 Design Principles
• Provide infographics, how-to guides and training to internal and external stakeholders.
• Evaluate future Microsoft 365 service/solution readiness in line with continual service improvement.
• Be responsible for all Microsoft 365 Deployment Standards across Collaboration, Compliance, Governance & Security.
• Review deployment standards, service & feature changes and manage their change/release into deployment activities.

What we are looking for

Essential:

• Deep understanding of the Modern Work industry solutions.
• Comprehensive understanding across the Microsoft Stack and supporting solutions along with value propositions.
• Ability to define and maintain target solutions aligned with business strategy.
• Strong capability to align IT strategy with business goals.
• Proven experience in translating complex business needs into technical solutions.
• Broad knowledge across Modern Work, infrastructure, applications, data, and security domains.
• Experience designing multi topology solutions.
• Ability to define architecture principles, patterns and applicable market trends.
• Understanding of security architecture, Zero Trust models, and data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, IEC 62443 for OT).
• Accredited and certified with up-to-date knowledge of enterprise technologies, including Microsoft, networking, cloud, SaaS, AI/ML, and integration platforms.
• Proven experience across multiple industries and verticals.
• Vendor accreditations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage C-level, technical teams, and vendors.
• Skilled at facilitating architecture reviews, workshops, and decision-making forums.
• Ability to perform gap analysis, cost-benefit evaluation, and roadmap development.
• Experience driving digital or infrastructure transformation initiatives.
• Strong documentation skills to produce architecture blueprints, RFP responses, and strategic presentations, technical due diligence, and vendor evaluations.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with Agile, DevOps, and ITIL practices.
• Ability to bridge architecture with operations, ensuring designs are maintainable, observable, and resilient.
• Ability to select and integrate best-of-breed solutions across multi-vendor environments.

Who are we?

Aro has 25 years' experience in Collaboration, Connectivity, Cloud and Infrastructure and Cyber Security services both in the UK and Internationally and has a nationwide presence with offices across the UK.

As one of the UK's leading independent IT and communication experts our mission is to deliver a seamless technology experience to all end users. To make that vision a reality, we need bright, tenacious and inspiring talent to help drive our performance, growth and achieve this mission.

To make us successful we focus on strong communication, a culture based on fun, trust and collaboration. We have created a modern workplace environment, which is full of engaged, energetic, positive and curious people whose productivity, resilience and wellbeing allow them to thrive.

In 2021 we were awarded the People Insight's Outstanding Workplace Award, which celebrates organisations building positive workplace cultures and acting on employee feedback to spark positive change.

Why Work for Aro?

At Aro we are committed to creating an excellent employee experience. Our employees, culture and additional benefits all make Aro a great place to work. Come join us!

We offer a wide range of benefits and incentives to our employees including:

• Company Pension Scheme and matching contributions
• Company Perks portal
• Private Medical insurance
• Life assurance
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays plus holiday trading
• Your Birthday off, on us!
• Health Club and Wellbeing Scheme
• Aro Shares after 12 months employment
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Technical Training Academy and E-learning
• Hybrid working

If even 80% of this matches your experience and attributes, we would be delighted to hear from you.