Senior Architect - Microsoft 365 Productivity

About the role

This job is responsible for defining an architectural vision and solution that supports the strategic outcomes of the Business’ Products and Services. Key responsibilities include defining the target operating environment, designing for client resiliency, assisting with solution design, and defining non-functional requirements. The role works with stakeholders and service providers aligned to the Business’ strategic objectives, evaluates the impact of strategic design decisions, and contributes to the architecture roadmap.

Responsibilities

• Works across the business, operations and technology to create the solution intent and architectural vision for complex solutions and prioritize functional and non-functional requirements into a technology backlog to enable the technology roadmap and functionality to support evolving capabilities and services
• Contributes to the creation of the architecture roadmap of defined domains (Business, Application, Data, and Technology) in support of the product roadmap and the development of best practices including standardized templates
• Clarifies the architecture, assists with system design to support implementation, and provides solution options to resolve any architectural impediments
• Facilitates solution-driven discussions, leads the design of complex architectures, and finds creative solutions through knowledge of domain, practical experiments, and proof of concepts while ensuring architecture is flexible, modular, and adaptable
• Educates team members on the technology practices, standardization strategies, and best practices to create innovative solutions
• Supports the team as needed to select the technology stack required for solutions and helps select preferred technology products
• Performs design and code reviews to ensure all non-functional requirements are sufficiently met (for example, security, performance, maintainability, scalability, usability, and reliability)

Client Architecture and Experience Design

• Define and own Microsoft 365 productivity client architecture, including:
  • Microsoft Teams (desktop, web, mobile)
  • Outlook (Windows, macOS, web, mobile)
  • OneDrive sync client
  • Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)
• Design standards for:
  • Client versions and update channels
  • Add-ins and extensibility
  • Performance, reliability, and latency optimization
• Ensure consistent experience across:
  • Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
  • Corporate-managed and BYOD scenarios

Endpoint, Identity and Security Integration

• Architect productivity experiences aligned with:
  • Microsoft Entra ID authentication and conditional access
  • Device compliance and endpoint management (Intune)
  • Zero Trust principles
• Ensure productivity workloads integrate cleanly with:
  • Sensitivity labels and encryption
  • DLP and endpoint controls
  • Defender for Endpoint and Defender for Office 365

Teams and Collaboration Enablement

• Lead architecture for:
  • Teams chat, channels, meetings, calling, and voice
  • Interoperability with Exchange Online and SharePoint Online
  • External access, federation, and guest collaboration
• Define governance for:
  • Teams lifecycle, templates, and policies
  • Meeting policies and recording controls
  • App governance and third-party integrations

Performance, Adoption and Reliability

• Diagnose and optimize:
  • Teams and Outlook performance issues
  • OneDrive sync reliability and throughput
  • Client-side latency and connectivity challenges
• Partner with network teams to optimize:
  • Microsoft 365 connectivity (VPN, proxy, split tunneling)
  • QoS and bandwidth strategies
• Support adoption and change initiatives by aligning architecture to real-world usage patterns

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years in enterprise end-user computing or productivity architecture
• 3+ years hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 client workloads
• Deep expertise in:
  • Microsoft Teams client architecture and behavior
  • Outlook client variants and dependencies
  • OneDrive sync client design and troubleshooting
• Strong understanding of:
  • Microsoft 365 service interdependencies
  • Identity-driven access models
  • Endpoint management concepts
• Client and Platform Knowledge:
  • Experience supporting:
    • Windows and macOS desktop platforms
    • iOS and Android mobile clients
  • Familiarity with:
    • Click-to-Run update channels
    • Add-in frameworks and client extensibility
    • Modern authentication and token flows

Desired Qualifications

• Strong problem-solving and diagnostic skills
• Ability to balance user experience, security, and compliance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable engaging with both technical teams and executive stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft certifications such as:
  • MS-100 / MS-101
  • Endpoint or Microsoft 365 certifications
• Experience in regulated industries (financial services, healthcare, government)
• Exposure to:
  • Microsoft Purview (labels, DLP, retention)
  • Microsoft Defender suite
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot and AI-enabled productivity features
• Experience with:
  • Large-scale Teams or OneDrive deployments
  • Global or multi-geo Microsoft 365 tenants

Skills

• Analytical Thinking
• Architecture
• Result Orientation
• Solution Design
• Technical Strategy Development
• Application Development
• Collaboration
• Data Management
• DevOps Practices
• Risk Management
• Agile Practices
• Automation
• Influence
• Solution Delivery Process
• Test Engineering