Deal Architect
11 hours ago
Birmingham
Company DescriptionVersion 1 has celebrated 30 years in business and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver technology and transformation solutions that drive customer success. Our deep expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape. We foster strong partnerships with global technology leaders including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, Snowflake, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services. We’re an award-winning employer reflecting how our employees are at the very heart of what we do: UK & Ireland's premier AWS, Microsoft & Oracle partner 4000+ strong, 450/400m revenue business 10+ years as a Great Place to Work in Ireland & UK Best Workplace for Women in the UK & Ireland by GPTW Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK by GPTW We’re a core values driven company, we hire people who share our values, and we reward those who display and foster them, it’s deeply embedded within our DNA. Invest in us and we’ll invest in you!. Job DescriptionRole SummaryThe Deal Architect is a senior strategic leader responsible for shaping, designing, and governing complex multi‑million–dollar technology and managed services deals. This role is central to orchestrating end‑to‑end solutioning across technical, commercial, delivery, and contractual components of large strategic pursuits. With 18+ years of experience, the Deal Architect acts as the linchpin between customers, sales, delivery, and domain specialists—ensuring that the final solution is winnable, deliverable, cost‑optimised, and aligned with the customer’s business outcomes.Key Responsibilities1. Deal & Solution Architecture LeadershipLead the architecture of complex, multi‑tower solutions covering cloud, data, digital engineering, service management, platforms, and application modernization.Translate high‑level business requirements into integrated technical, service, and commercial solution frameworks.Govern solution integrity across technology, delivery, transition, pricing, and contractual streams.2. Strategic Pursuit OwnershipOwn and orchestrate end‑to‑end solution development for major RFPs, RFIs, and sole‑source pursuits.Gate the progression of opportunities by evaluating strategic fit, solution feasibility, delivery risk, and commercial viability.Drive and document win themes, value propositions, differentiators, and commercial levers.3. Cross‑Functional OrchestrationCoordinate with Solution Architects, Technical Directors, Domain Advisors, Finance, Legal, Delivery, and Commercial teams.Ensure all pursuit artefacts (SOWs, pricing sheets, TOM, SLAs/XLAs, transition plans) align to a cohesive solution.Facilitate solution workshops, customer discovery sessions, and deep‑dive technical/operational interviews.4. Financial & Commercial ArchitectureShape pricing models including T&M, Fixed Price, Outcome‑based, or Managed Service constructs.Ensure commercial solutions reflect risk‑adjusted costing, transition/run budgets, and margin expectations.Challenge cost inputs, optimise delivery models (onshore/nearshore/offshore), and improve deal competitiveness.5. Governance & ComplianceLead internal solution reviews, Red Team/Black Hat sessions, and CXO sign‑offs.Ensure alignment with enterprise frameworks, risk controls, security standards, and architectural governance.Validate compliance with customer‑mandated standards, due diligence requirements, and regulatory expectations.6. Customer EngagementAct as a senior customer‑facing solution leader in orals, workshops, and commercial negotiations.Build executive‑level trust by articulating solution rationale, trade‑offs, delivery models, and roadmap visions.7. Knowledge LeadershipMentor junior architects and presales contributors.Evolve solution patterns, playbooks, reusable assets, cost models, and value accelerators.Contribute to thought leadership and industry‑aligned solution frameworks.QualificationsRequired ExperienceTechnical & ArchitecturalEnd‑to‑end architecture expertise across Cloud (AWS/Azure), Data Platforms, Integration, Modern Applications, DevOps, and Enterprise IT landscapesExperience designing large-scale multi‑tower solutions including:Cloud migrations & managed servicesDigital transformation programmesMulti‑region delivery frameworksService management & automation pipelinesSecurity & governance overlaysCommercial & FinancialExtensive experience building complex pricing models for multi‑year deals.Strong understanding of cost structures, resource models, rate cards, GP/NP levers, and risk buffers.Exposure to constructing managed service contracts with SLAs, XLAs, KPIs, and outcome‑based models.Pre‑Sales & Pursuit ExperienceProven track record working on competitive RFPs, framework renewals, and large strategic deals.Experience interacting with CxO stakeholders, procurement teams, and architecture governance boards.Ability to run deal strategy cycles, competitive analysis, and bid optimisation.Cross‑Functional SkillsAbility to orchestrate large virtual teams across sales, delivery, architecture, finance, and legal.Excellent communication, storytelling, and executive‑level presentation ability.Strong stakeholder management and negotiation capabilities.Core CompetenciesStrategicEnterprise‑level architectural thinkingBusiness-case modelling & commercial optimisationMarket, industry, and competitive insightInnovation & value engineering mindsetTechnicalMulti‑cloud architectures (Azure/AWS)Data, integration, and automation frameworksModern engineering practices (CI/CD, DevOps, SRE)Security & compliance frameworksBehaviouralExecutive presence and gravitasStructured problem-solvingCollaborative leadershipHigh resilience under bid pressureAbility to navigate ambiguity and derive clarityPreferred QualificationsBachelor’s / Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related fieldCertifications: TOGAF, AWS/Azure Architect, ITIL, PMP/Prince2 (optional)Experience in consulting, system integration, or managed services environmentsExperience engaging with global delivery modelsAdditional InformationWhy Version 1? At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability. 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. And many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more. Version 1 is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences, and we value the different perspectives people bring including those shaped by disability and neurodiversity. We want every candidate to have a positive and accessible recruitment experience. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process, please contact your recruiter at Version 1. We will consider all requests carefully, respectfully and confidentially. Paul.Steed@version1.com #LI-PS1SummaryType: Full-timeFunction: Information TechnologyExperience level: Mid-Senior LevelIndustry: Information Technology And Services