Microsoft: Infrastructure Consultant

Microsoft Services Global Delivery team is looking for a Consultant who will play the Onsite Delivery Coordinator role for Infrastructure engagements delivered to customers in Europe. The Onsite Delivery Coordinator role works closely with EMEA MCS consulting and GD Offshore teams to add value to customers by demonstrating how Microsoft technology and Services can help solve business issues and positively impact the customer’s business by executing in a Global Delivery Model.

This position is based out of South Africa and the focus would be on working with customers on projects across EMEA. This position involves high amount of travel (up to 75% of time), as the Onsite Coordinator is expected to be present at Customer location during critical phases of engagement delivery.

Team/Department Mission:
Success is measured by demonstrable results through Customer satisfaction, translating customer requirements effectively to offshore, representing the offshore GD team in Time Zone with the customer, getting acceptance as required from the customer on key artifacts and deliverables and optimizing the time spent by the offshore team in communication overhead and rework.

The candidate should have had prior experience in working in a multi-cultural environment with proven experience in multi-country pre-sales and project delivery experience with experience in working with offshore teams.

The candidate should have had good hands-on experience in the Microsoft Infrastructure Platform with a strong knowledge of Server and Messaging technologies.

Key Accountabilities:
•Presents the face of offshore to customer effectively building trust about the offshore activities and competencies (alleviating time zone and cultural differences): Is the single-point-of-contact between offshore teams and customer.
•Possess a mix of Technology and Project Management skills to interact with stakeholders.
•Managing technical communication between the customer team and offshore team to support offshore activities.
•Coordinate tasks that facilitate smooth workflows.
•Discuss, finalize and obtain signoffs from customer on standards/guidelines for project deliverables.
•Providing status and progress updates of the Offshore Deliverables into UAT/Customer Deployment.
• Accountable to ensure all UAT issues from the customer are clarified /resolved appropriately.

Successful candidates would typically have one or more of these qualifications:
•At least 6 years related IT experience on the Microsoft platform.
•Must have a degree in Computer Science or Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
•Should have designed and implemented solutions using any of the three technology areas listed below.
– Windows Server 2012, Hyper- V, PKI, ADRMS, Security and clustering.
-Messaging and Collaboration: Exchange Server 2010, Migration from compete platforms such as Notes/GroupWise /any third party messaging system, Instant Messaging and enterprise voice deployments using Lync.
-System Centre Suite, Configuration Manager, Operations Manager, Virtual Machine Manager, Data Protection Manager, Orchestrator, Service Manager.
-Automation / Scripting skills using Power Shell, VB Scripts, XML etc.
-Operating system deployment using SCCM / MDT (LTI / ZTI ).
• A good knowledge of English language.
•Work experience should involve technical consulting, solution design, project envisioning, planning, development, deployment, and management, leveraging remote delivery model.
•Must have a proven record of delivering business value especially w.r.t remote delivery model.
Role Specific Characteristics Include:
•Candidates must have a deep understanding of multi country markets with multiple cultures, customers, and technology; have the background to provide leadership in the technology area and a demonstrated effectiveness in consulting and client management.
•Candidates must have deep understanding of customer and partner business and IT environment, and have demonstrated skills creating architecture and deploying technology to solve business problems.
•Candidates must have industry leading depth knowledge on the Microsoft platform, and have demonstrated analysis and communication skills connecting technology and business problems.
•Be flexible in working hours – work extended hours to overlap with offshore team (e.g. ready to take late evening, early morning calls.
•Frequent travel (up to 75%) is an integral part of this job, as are high levels of recognition and visibility.