Deal Solution Architect, Senior Manager

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we’re counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.The opportunityManaged Services is a critical component of the EY Vision 2020+ strategy and a new area of growth for the firm. Managed Services is already a $5.3 Billion business (FY20), a target of $6 Billion in FY21 and has plans to grow in excess of $10 Billion over the next few years. In order to meet this strategic objective, we are undertaking a change in our operating model to enable our Areas (Americas, EMEIA, APAC) to have the right team in place for Managed Services pursuits.As a Solution Architect, you will be expected to lead and execute key workstreams as part of EY’s most complex pursuits. The role will focus on qualified client pursuits and include the design of business and technical solutions, transition and transformation plans and any ongoing development requirements.You will report to the Strategic Deal Management Solution Architect Lead and work closely with the other SDM/Alpha+ Team members on pursuits, as well as, Client account leadership, EY’s global delivery network, and EY Service Lines experts leading our most important Go-To-Market Managed Services solution offerings.Your key responsibilities:Ownership of all elements of solution (and documentation) by, but not limited to:

Organizing and leading working sessions with offering SMEs, functional SMEs, and technology/transformation leads to create the “Solution Blueprint”

Analyzing client, offering and third-party data to create the “Solution Blueprint”

Apply and contribute to continuous improvement of existing Solution Architecture framework and approaches

Clear understanding and grasp of Client Opportunity to develop solution (e.g. client objectives, scope of work, requirements, win strategy, competitors, etc.)

Ownership of Pursuit “Solution Blueprint” (not limited to):

Operating Model for Service Delivery and ongoing Transformation: [How are we going to deliver the services over time?]

People and Process: Defining the staffing pyramid, location strategy, service levels, deliverables/outputs, volumes & drivers of effort.

Enabling Technology: Defining the Technology stack (EY/client/third party), data strategy, disaster recovery, ongoing support & maintenance

Ongoing Transformation: Defining initiatives that drive efficiency/productivity improvements and reduce EY’s cost-to-serve over time

Transition: [What is the approach and plan to move to target state…and “stand up” the Services?]

Defining the Transition effort such as the staffing/hiring/recruiting approach, facilities enablement, resource onboarding, Technology setup & deployment, training & knowledge transfer, service rehearsal

Delivery Governance and Service Management: [How are we going to oversee and govern the program?]

Ensuring overall Program management, service level reporting, and managing program financials are accounted for in the effort

Creating the “Solution Blueprint” at both:

An execution-level (i.e., monthly staffing and technology estimates by workstream, by role & rank, by location, with associated volume data) with detailed, consumable assumptions and continuously maintained change log

An executive summary-level (holistic solution strategy, milestones, risks, dependencies, critical assumptions, competitive assessment, etc.)

Balance deliverability vs. “sellability” of solution, conscious of competitiveness of solution design to win opportunities (e.g. ensure overall solution is deliverable and has required level of effort for transition, transformation, governance, etc. – while identifying potential value levers that ensure competitiveness)

Work with Pursuit Team Service Line leads to interpret and synthesize individual or bundled services into overall “Solution Blueprint”:

Understand, challenge and influence effort estimates and ensure no overlap in solution inputs across central governance layers

Understand, challenge and influence effort estimates to ensure efficiencies to be realized from technology and transformation activities are accounted for

Understand, challenge and influence solution assumptions affecting Commitment from firm, capacity issues, efficiencies, hiring/recruiting, bottlenecks/constraints from other workstreams’ tasks, etc.

Understand, challenge and influence solution assumptions for client-facing items which must hold true from client for our solution and price to hold (data cleanliness, volumes, complexities, etc.)

Understand, challenge and influence all technology platforms needed to deliver work/services, transition and transform

Understand, challenge and influence solution guardrails required for commercial discussions, and requirements to deliver on contractual obligations (e.g. SLAs)

Understand, challenge and align with Delivery leadership independently and through Service Lines to ensure delivery is clearly outlined and signed off on

Identify and reconcile “blind spots” in service line solutions (individual or bundled)

Manage functional owner relationships across solution components (individual or multiple services lines) to ensure solutions are approved, and overall “Solution Blueprint” is understood

Work as part of Pursuit Team (Alpha+):

Share and align “Solution Blueprint” with Deal Shaper (DS) and Costing/Pricing Lead (CPL) for deal shape factors and cost-to-serve

Translate “Solution Blueprint” documents to acceptable format for CPL

Determine where to optimize solution with Pursuit Leader (PL), DS, and CPL

Support Lead Negotiator (LN) in SOW/schedule negotiations (i.e., SOW, SLAs, etc.) by providing “Solution Blueprint” content

Be clear on SA ownership of “Solution Blueprint” at onset of Pursue phase, while also encouraging collaboration with Client Account Leadership, Pursuit individuals from Client Team, and Service Line Individuals (and SL SA’s)

Draft Proposal content, as needed by PL, related to “Solution Blueprint”

Escalate quickly key findings to PL, DS, and CPL with recommendations or for discussion, where there is material impact on solution, cost, or risk profile

Own/Present “Solution Blueprint” confidently and accurately during internal leadership reviews and approvals (Agreement To Pursue / Agreement To Contract)

Seek and confirm appropriate input, feedback, and approval for the solution (e.g., Delivery sign-off, QRM, Independence, GCSPs, etc.)

Support the recruitment and development of solution talent into the Strategic Deals Management/Alpha+ Team

To qualify for the role, you must have (Technical Skills and Knowledge)Experience in developing integrated managed services solutions. Core understanding of the big four and their go-to-market propositions

Demonstrated experience building client solutions that leverage and reuse existing assets and capabilities including alliances

Managed Services experience across multiple industry sectors (e.g. Financial Services, Products, Telco and Media)

Problem solving skills

Understanding of industry leading and emerging technology that enables services

Understanding how solutions impact the economic value proposition to the client and EY

Ability and willingness to define, create and document detailed solution plans, as well as the “big picture” of the entire operating model “Solution Blueprint”

Ability to foster team-oriented work environment on large deal pursuits

Leadership skills for command and control of all moving parts of the “Solution Blueprint” development and approval processes

Confidence to ask tough questions and challenge teams, especially when a team’s solution is not clear or comprehensive

Strong analytical and communication skills with High Emotional Quotient (EQ) to enable positive external and internal communications

Steady temperament – handle quick solution turns while remaining collaborative and keeping positive energy under stressful situations

Inquisitive, quick study of situations, and detail oriented in creating high quality “Solution Blueprints”

Strong organization skills, with capability to work independently to plan, structure, organize and execute Solution Architect pursuit activities

Well versed and skilled in MSFT Office (Word, PPT and Excel) for deliverables

Ideally you will have experience with:Complex client requirements that you will be able to turn into a comprehensible and simplified solution

Managed services first-hand knowledge of delivery challenges

Construction of significant managed service opportunities end-to-end: mobilization, transformation, and through to operational steady state

Multi-tower (bundled services) managed services deals. Ability to step back and independently assess how to connect the “dots” and what it takes to standup, transform, and deliver bundled services

Development of Solution Architecture capabilities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of Solution Architect function - methodology, processes, and tools to improve solutioning or improve taking new offerings to market

Managed services delivery models with global footprint

Commercial contractual obligations and risks of solutions developed. Ability to align “Solution Blueprint” (SOW and schedules) with final terms and conditions

What We Look ForWe’re interested in self-motivated individuals who can easily function in a high demand, performance-driven environment. In addition, we’re looking for people who recognize the accomplishments of the team before the individual and are sought after as people developers. If you’re passionate about problem-solving and helping our clients with some of their most complex issues, this role is for you.What we offerWe offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options. Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being. Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next. Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way. Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs. Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.The exceptional EY experience. It’s yours to build.EY | Building a better working worldEY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.EY is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.