NWN is the leading AI-powered technology solutions provider for North America's most innovative public and private organizations. For more than 30 years, NWN has helped over 5,000 CIOs deliver technology modernization programs with its Intelligent Workplace, Customer Experience (CX), Managed Devices, Cybersecurity and Public Safety, Connectivity, and Intelligent Cloud solutions. The company's proprietary Experience Management Platform ensures seamless service delivery, real-time observability and improved efficiency for its clients' most demanding technology needs. NWN is a high-performance, high-integrity team of 1,000+ experts committed to a customer-obsessed culture, earning a 75 Customer Net Promoter Score. The company has been recognized with hundreds of industry awards and is proud to be a 'Best Place to Work' with an 86 Employee Net Promoter Score. For more information, visit: NWN.ai.

Role Overview

The Senior Director of Solution Architects role is responsible for oversight and management of the organization’s pre-sales Solution Architect team.

Scope of Role Responsibilities

Essential, key job responsibilities for this role include, but are not limited to:

• Leadership:

• • Performing the Solution Architect responsibilities for a subset of the customer base.
  • Manage Solutions Architect Team Leads or Managers
    • Manage the Solutions Architect Team and perform HR functions over the team (i.e. – reviews, onboarding, exit interviews, etc.).
  • Align with assigned senior sales leader and Manage/Analyze the team’s Pre-Sales Opportunities on a weekly basis
  • Work with the Local/National Vendor community to build the relationships and ensure the NWN Carousel Architect Team is obtaining the necessary Vendor technical support that is needed.
  • Report analysis of the metrics that drive the performance of the team (i.e. – time reports, OP analysis, etc.).
  • Conduct Quarterly Team Meetings to give the team updates on the regional/national financials and performance.
• Sales Execution:
  • Successfully plans and executes sales activities within the sales process.
  • Total ownership of the technical sale during customer and partner pre-sales activities.
  • Leads sales and partners in scoping NWN Carousel Offerings to meet customer requirements.
  • Analyzes client business needs and recommend appropriate business solution/strategy.
  • Participates in the planning and design process by assessing current state and desired outcome.
  • Identifies, provides leadership to, and coordinates technical solution development activities in pursuit of formal proposal development.
  • Identifies and engages Subject Matter Experts for discreet service offerings identified in the technical solution.
  • Monitors the engagement process and obtains additional resources as needed.
  • Sets up and executes evaluation activities that prove NWN Carousel Offerings.
  • Identifies and develops technical champions; neutralizes challengers within the account.
  • Ensures complete handshake to customer success organization.
  • Participate as a key contributor to complex deal review and qualification process
• Technical Knowledge:
  • Demonstrates significant expertise in NWN's Core Offerings.
  • Masters Command of the Message and Sale principles.
  • Conduct sales presentations and product demos to convey the value of NWN Carousel solutions.
  • Builds impactful pilot/POCs that prove impact on customer business/requirements.
  • Comprehensive product, competitive, industry and functionality knowledge.
  • Continues education of self and others; facilitates knowledge transfer across the organization.
• Client and partner engagement:
  • Provides technical expertise through sales presentation product demonstration of NWN Carousel offerings.
  • Maximizes results by anticipating and neutralizing obstacles/objections within an account.
  • Adds value to customer by staying up-to-date on market trends and articulating tangible benefits across customer audiences.
  • Excites and commits prospects with persuasive demos and presentations (formal/informal).
  • Develop, coach and mentor the Solution Architect Team to deliver persuasive demos and presentations (formal/informal)
  • Actively engages and influences partner community.
  • Provides long term strategy sustaining technical account management.
• Foundational Attributes:
  • Works effectively as a team member, leads the organization and effectively orchestrates internal and external resources.
  • Actively collaborates with and provides feedback to the Offerings Management team and Subject Matter Experts resources within the presales team.
  • Effectively communicates with all critical resources throughout the sales process.
  • Drives accountability of self and all team members to ensure execution of action items.
  • Humility to learn, master and follow NWN Carousel processes.
  • Creativity in framing a deal and positioning NWN Carousel Offerings to meet the client's business objectives.
  • Passionate business problem solver for customers. 

Additional job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Recruiting for additional Solution Architects to join the team as the business requirement justifies.
• Recurring report requirements may include but are not limited to: timesheets (including billable time), expense reports, task completion documentation.
• Budget planning for the following fiscal year for the team.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Role Qualifications and Requirements

The following are minimum qualifications and requirements required for this role:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related experience. MBA would also be preferred.
• 7 plus years of experience in a technical leadership role on small to medium size projects.
• 10+ year’s minimum of hands on experience designing, deploying, and supporting complex communications systems.
• Thorough knowledge of IP communications industry and solutions, virtualization and data center industry and solutions.
• Involvement in industry councils, user groups, as appropriate.
• Experience with structured project management methodologies.
• Experience working with solution design, job costing and quality planning.
• Experience developing/writing technical sales documents.
• Experience working in a project/team environment.
• Must possess excellent time management skills.
• Must possess good organizational skills.
• Must possess excellent client/customer interface skills.
• Must possess working knowledge of Visio.
• Must possess team leadership and mentoring skills.
• Ability to develop/ deliver management presentations.
• Proficient in MS-Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent verbal written communication skills are required.
• Excellent high-level problem solving skills.

The following qualifications are ideal, but not required:

• Vendor Technical certifications are preferred.

At NWN, we provide a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being in and out of work. This includes medical, dental, and vision plans, Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), income protection through disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match. Enjoy unlimited PTO, paid company holidays, hybrid/remote work, paid bonding leave for eligible employees, employee discounts, and access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additional offerings include accident, critical illness, long-term care, and hospital indemnity coverages, legal and identity theft protection, pet insurance, supplemental life insurances, referral bonuses, charitable donation matching, and allowances for eligible roles. Join a team that values the health and wellbeing of all our employees!

All offers of employment at NWN are contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. This process ensures a safe and secure work environment for all employees.

NWN is an Equal Opportunity Employer: NWN provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment free from unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other status or condition protected by local, state or federal law.