Principal Architect – Microsoft Cloud (Azure, Data & AI)

About the Role

We are hiring a Microsoft Center of Excellence Lead or Solutions Technical Leader to define and drive the technical strategy for our Microsoft business globally. This is a senior, externally facing leadership role at the intersection of:

• Executive technology leadership
• Azure, Data, and AI architecture
• Strategic deal shaping and co-innovation with Microsoft

You will act as the technical face of Publicis Sapient to clients and Microsoft, shaping complex pursuits, influencing innovation, and scaling repeatable solutions across the Microsoft ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale Publicis Sapient’s Microsoft Center of Excellence globally
• Operate as a senior technical leader shaping strategy, deals, and innovation
• Partner directly with Microsoft to influence joint solutions and market impact
• Build the next generation of Azure + Data + AI + Copilot-driven enterprise transformation
• Shape and win large, complex transformation deals
• Deliver enterprise-scale cloud architectures, production-grade AI solutions, and scalable, repeatable solution patterns
• Translate technology into business value, commercial outcomes, and platform growth
• Orchestrate global teams and partner ecosystems

Requirements

Experience:

• 12+ years in enterprise architecture, CoE leadership, or senior technical leadership roles
• Proven track record shaping and winning large, complex transformation deals
• Experience operating as a trusted advisor to C-suite stakeholders

Microsoft Technical Expertise:

• Hands-on depth across Azure platform (infrastructure, platform services, integration, modernization)
• Data platforms (Fabric, analytics, enterprise data ecosystems)
• AI platforms (Azure OpenAI, AI Studio, ML, Copilot ecosystem)

Commercial & Executive Capability:

• Ability to translate technology into business value, commercial outcomes, and platform growth
• Strong executive communication and storytelling skills
• Experience linking technical strategy to client transformation and Microsoft ecosystem growth

Leadership Profile:

• Strong cross-industry perspective with pattern recognition and reuse
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and pioneer new solution spaces
• Proven experience orchestrating global teams and partner ecosystems

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft certifications (Azure Architect, AI Engineer, Data Engineer)
• Established relationships across the Microsoft ecosystem
• Experience with Copilot, GenAI, and agentic AI architectures
• Proven track record building scalable IP and co-sell solutions
• Thought leadership across events, publications, or industry forums
• Industry depth in Financial Services, Retail, Healthcare, Energy, or Telecom

Pay

Pay Range: $200,000 - $270,000. The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Publicis Sapient. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself.

Benefits

• Flexible vacation policy; time is not limited, allocated, or accrued
• 16 paid holidays throughout the year
• Generous parental leave and new parent transition program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Corporate gift matching program