Principal Consultant — Cloud & DevOps, Consulting Delivery

As part of our Cloud Practice, the Principal Consultant — Cloud & DevOps is responsible for consulting on technology solutions on Microsoft Azure. This role acts as a technology leader for client engagement and drives high-level design and delivery experience across the Azure Cloud & DevOps technology offerings. 

Delivery:

• Lead and inspire high-performing consulting teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and client-centricity.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and performance feedback to consultants.
• Oversee consultant development and career progression.
• Recruit and onboard new consulting talent.
• Design, consult and advise on state-of-the-art technical solutions on Azure that address customers’ requirements for scalability, reliability, security, and performance. 
• Demonstrate a professional ability to work with business stakeholders, manage effective relationships, understand their issues, and deliver appropriate technical solutions.
• Act as a technology leader for client engagement. Drive high-level design and delivery experience across the Azure Cloud & DevOps technology offerings.
• Evaluate stakeholder requirements; develop, communicate, and present solution options to senior management and various stakeholders (C-suite and directors). 
• Work closely with a team of technologists, consultants, senior engineers, analysts, and executives to jointly create functional design specifications and Azure reference architectures, and assist with other project deliverables as needed.
• Support our presales team in driving documentation, written requirements, and strategic direction. Interact with technical delivery, project, and sales teams.
• Help set up proof-of-concept prototypes that assess the feasibility of solutions and demonstrate to our clients how technology can be leveraged.
• Recommend client value creation initiatives and implement industry best practices.
• Provide valuable contributions and adaptation to post-implementation support (long term).
• Demonstrate a hands-on ability to deliver appropriate technical solutions within project and program time frames.
• Support the uplift of team capability where required. Mentor upcoming engineers across DevOps and cloud fundamentals.

Engagement management:

• Oversee the entire lifecycle of consulting engagements, from project scoping and proposal development to delivery and closure.
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and budgets.
• Develop and implement effective engagement methodologies and quality assurance processes.
• Proactively manage project risks, issues, and scope changes.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, and exceed client expectations.

Client relationship management:

• Build and nurture strong relationships with clients, acting as a trusted adviser and strategic partner.
• Effectively communicate project updates, insights, and recommendations to clients.
• Manage client expectations and ensure high levels of client satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities to expand service offerings and deepen client relationships.

Business development:

• Contribute to the growth of the consulting practice by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities.
• Develop proposals and participate in client pitches.
• Build and maintain a strong network of industry contacts.

Practice development:

• Contribute to the development and enhancement of the consulting practice's methodologies, tools, and intellectual property.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the consulting team

Education: 

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field

Experience: 

Minimum 10+ years in IT consulting, with at least 5 years in cloud- and DevOps-focused roles

Certifications: 

• Relevant cloud and DevOps certifications (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect, Azure DevOps Engineer Expert, Kubernetes Administrator) are highly preferred.

Soft skills:

• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills with a client-first mindset
• An ongoing willingness to learn, upskill in cutting-edge technologies, and train, coach, and mentor others

Technical skills: 

• Significant experience in solution design, architecture, and hands-on delivery within the Azure cloud and DevOps environment (advanced Azure knowledge)
• Previous lead consulting experience with Microsoft, cloud, or automation service organizations
• Extensive experience in relevant hosting solutions, modern network design, cloud systems integration, and senior technical support role
• Has come from either a Microsoft development/software background or traditional Microsoft infrastructure engineering
• Azure IaaS/PaaS/SaaS
• Azure Network, Azure Security, Azure IAM, and RBAC Design
• Azure DevOps — Azure Automation
• IaC — Terraform
• Open-source containers (AKS Kubernetes)
• Azure integration (Logic Apps, API Management, etc.) and microservices
• Azure Resource Manager — ARM templates
• Azure Application Design, Monitor, Landing Zones, Azure Log Analytics (OMS), and Blueprints deployments
• Azure Functions, Key Vault, and Backup
• Azure Security Center Operations
• Azure Management Groups and Subscription Management
• PowerShell module creation and management
• Secure Azure SQL solutions and cloud storage
• Cloud identity, security, governance, licensing, Azure Portal, and AD