Microsoft 365 Architect
Position Summary
The Microsoft 365 Architect is responsible for defining, designing, and governing the enterprise Microsoft 365 platform strategy. This role serves as the technical lead for Microsoft 365 services, including Entra ID, Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, Exchange Online, Power Platform, Microsoft Purview, Microsoft Defender, and Microsoft Copilot.
The Architect partners with Security, Infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, Compliance, and Business stakeholders to deliver secure, scalable, and innovative digital workplace solutions that improve productivity, collaboration, and operational efficiency across the enterprise.
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise Architecture & Strategy
- Define and maintain the Microsoft 365 architecture roadmap aligned with business and technology objectives.
- Develop standards, reference architectures, and governance models for Microsoft 365 services.
- Evaluate emerging Microsoft technologies and recommend adoption strategies.
- Lead architecture reviews and provide guidance for enterprise initiatives leveraging Microsoft 365 capabilities.
- Function as the level 3 support in case of high priority/escalated incidents
Platform Engineering & Administration
- Design and oversee Microsoft 365 environments, including:
- Entra ID (Azure AD)
- Exchange Online
- Teams
- SharePoint Online
- OneDrive
- Power Platform
- Microsoft Copilot
- Microsoft Purview
- Drive tenant optimization, licensing strategy, and platform modernization initiatives.
- Ensure scalability, performance, reliability, and operational excellence.
Security, Risk & Compliance
- Partner with Security and GRC teams to implement security controls and compliance requirements.
- Design data protection, and governance solutions for M365 tenant across workloads.
- Assist with security events and incident response activities where Microsoft 365 services, identities, data, logs, or security tooling are relevant.
- Analyze over-provisioned/over-shared components (sites/channels etc) and work with team to reduce exposure
AI & Copilot Enablement
- Lead architecture and deployment strategies for Microsoft Copilot and AI-enabled productivity solutions.
- Support AI enablement team to establish governance frameworks for AI use, data access, security, and compliance.
- Partner with business leaders to enable use case implementation using M365 technology stack
Collaboration & Productivity
- Improve employee experience through modern collaboration technologies.
- Drive adoption of Teams, SharePoint, Microsoft 365 capabilities, emerging Microsoft technologies, and available license entitlements to ensure the organization realizes maximum value from existing investments.
- Partner with stakeholders to optimize workflows and business processes.
- Enable self-service and automation using Power Platform solutions.
- Collaborate with Operating Companies to ensure user migration across tenants during Merger & Acquisition & Divestiture
Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate with Microsoft account teams, system integrators, and managed service providers.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and administrators.
- Present architecture recommendations and investment strategies to senior leadership.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field.
- 10+ years of enterprise Microsoft technologies experience.
- 8+ years of hands-on experience in managing Microsoft 365 tenant including architecture
- Hands on expertise in:
- Microsoft 365
- Entra ID
- Teams
- SharePoint Online
- Exchange Online
- Power Platform
- Purview
- Defender
- Experience designing and supporting large-scale enterprise environments.
- Strong understanding of Zero Trust architecture principles.
- Experience with identity and access management, security, governance, and compliance frameworks.
Preferred Qualifications
- Preferred Certifications
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert (MS-102)
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals (AB-900)
- Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate
- Experience with mergers, acquisitions, and tenant consolidations.
- Knowledge of scripting and automation using PowerShell.
Critical Success Metrics
- Microsoft 365 platform availability and reliability
- Secure score improvements
- Reduction in collaboration and productivity tool sprawl
- Copilot adoption and value realization
- Compliance and audit performance
- User satisfaction and productivity improvements
- Reduction in identity and access risk
- Automation and operational efficiency gains
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinking and enterprise vision
- Strong communication and executive presentation skills
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Problem-solving and innovation
- Risk-based decision making
- Customer-focused mindset
- Ability to influence without authority
Why this role matters: This position owns the digital workplace foundation used by every employee, ensuring Microsoft 365 remains secure, compliant, resilient, and ready to support future capabilities such as AI, Copilot, advanced collaboration, and enterprise automation.