The AI Architect Manager is a critical leadership role responsible for designing, developing, and scaling enterprise AI solutions aligned to business strategy and measurable outcomes. This role serves as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, enabling clients to establish, mature, and scale their AI programs across the Microsoft ecosystem.

The incumbent will lead AI architectural design and end-to-end solutioning and sales efforts, including opportunity origination, qualification, solution shaping, and delivery, by evaluating business processes, operating models, and application architectures to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performing AI solutions tailored to client environments. This role is responsible for translating complex business requirements into actionable AI architectures that deliver tangible value and measurable client outcomes.

The AI Architect Manager will partner closely with cross-functional stakeholders and global teams across Avanade, Accenture, Microsoft, and partner ecosystems to ensure a cohesive, enterprise-wide approach to AI solution delivery, innovation, and revenue growth.

This position requires a strategic and hands-on leader capable of operating effectively in a complex, matrixed environment while driving innovation, collaboration, client impact, and commercial success.

What you'll do

• Provide leadership and oversight for AI solution architecture, ensuring alignment with client business strategies, technical requirements, and industry best practices.

• Own and drive end-to-end sales cycles, including opportunity identification, qualification, solution shaping, proposal development, pricing inputs, and deal closure.

• Partner with account teams and clients to originate and develop AI opportunities, aligning solutions to business value and measurable outcomes.

• Translate business requirements into AI solution scope, value propositions, and scalable architectural designs in collaboration with AI teams and Solution Architects.

• Analyze client processes, systems, and data landscapes to identify AI transformation opportunities and recommend appropriate approaches based on client maturity.

• Lead solutioning activities including estimation, technical design, and proposal development across the pre-sales and delivery lifecycle.

• Deliver AI engagements in roles including AI SME, Solution Architect, or Technical Architect, ensuring high-quality outcomes.

• Provide governance, quality assurance, and best practice guidance across AI project teams related to delivery approach, design, and implementation.

• Facilitate client workshops, stakeholder meetings, and pre-sales presentations to articulate AI value, solution approach, and business impact.

• Develop and contribute to AI assets, accelerators, and methodologies to enhance organizational capability, sales effectiveness, and delivery efficiency.

• Collaborate across global teams and partner ecosystems to share knowledge, drive innovation, and scale AI capabilities.

Priority Skill

• Agentic AI Solution Architecture

Job Requirements: 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as business needs require, with reasonable accommodation provided where required by applicable law.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as business needs require.

IMPORTANT before applying for a job internally:

• Review this application criteria.

• You must already possess the appropriate visas and/or work permits required to live and work in the country the job is based. Do not apply until you have confirmed these authorizations are in place, or the job description states that international applicants will be considered.

• If you apply and are selected for a job at a higher level, it will be offered at your current level. You will be considered for promotion at the next eligible promotion period, except where subject to local law or contractual obligations*.

*ICEG, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, and Germany: Promotions will be handled in accordance with local labor laws and works council agreements, where applicable). 

Come join us
There’s one in every group—the person who sees what’s possible and goes after it. If you’re a consultative, enterprise deal hunter who loves navigating complex organizations, shaping C‑suite agendas, and closing transformational Microsoft-powered programs, you’ll thrive at Avanade.

In this role, you will: own strategic new logo and expansion growth across a defined set of large enterprise accounts, build multi‑year account plans, orchestrate pursuit teams across solution areas, and partner deeply with Microsoft to co-create and win large, outcome-based deals.

Role snapshot

• Work model: Hybrid (with travel to clients)  |  Travel: 34%

• Primary location: US-based  |  Territory: US-wide with multiple industries available (retail, healthcare, financial services, etc.)  

• What you’ll sell: Microsoft-led transformation (Azure, Data/AI, Modern Workplace, Security, Business Apps) delivered through consulting + services

• Level: Enterprise / strategic accounts  |  Deal type: multi-stakeholder, multi-workstream pursuits

Key responsibilities

• Build senior executive relationships and map complex buying centers—engage C‑suite and SVP/VP leaders to align strategy to Microsoft-led transformation roadmaps.

• Create and execute multi-year account plans—identify whitespace, craft value propositions, and convert pipeline into large programs and long-term managed engagements.

• Lead end-to-end pursuits—set win strategy, coordinate solution/delivery/alliance stakeholders, and drive proposals, pricing, and commercial structures to close.

• Drive Microsoft co-sell—build joint pursuit plans, align to Microsoft priorities, and leverage the partner ecosystem to accelerate enterprise wins.

• Own forecasting and operating rhythm—pipeline hygiene, deal reviews, and clear stakeholder communication to deliver against annual targets.

As a Data Protection Consultant, you’ll lead the delivery of data protection and data governance solutions for Avanade clients. You’ll bring hands-on technical expertise, own project outcomes, and guide clients and junior team members through complex security and compliance initiatives.

What you’ll do

· Lead or co-lead client engagements focused on data protection and data governance.

· Design and implement Microsoft Purview solutions (e.g., sensitivity labeling strategies, advanced DLP policies/integrations, Purview DSPM, data lifecycle/retention controls).

· Perform threat mapping and gap analysis across structured, unstructured, cloud, and on-premises data.

· Facilitate client workshops and stakeholder discussions to translate requirements into scalable, secure Microsoft-based solutions.

· Own solution design decisions, configuration, and technical documentation.

· Provide technical mentorship to Analysts and Senior Analysts; lead workstreams or small teams.

· Contribute to estimations, delivery planning, and risk management.

· Support solutioning efforts, proposals, and internal capability development.

· Build awareness and controls for emerging AI and agentic AI security considerations (e.g., Security Copilot).