Microsoft Cloud Architect - Pre-Sales

Job Description & Summary The opportunity PwC is seeking an experienced and client-focused Microsoft Cloud Architect to join our Cloud Engineering, Data & Analytics team in Bucharest. This role bridges the gap between client business challenges and cloud technology solutions, with a strong emphasis on pre-sales engagement, opportunity identification, and solution design. You will work alongside client executives, practice leaders, and delivery teams to translate complex business requirements into technology-enabled solutions that deliver measurable business value. As a trusted advisor, you will shape cloud and AI transformation strategies while leveraging Microsoft Cloud technologies to support business development, solution design, and strategic client engagements. What you will be doing Client Engagement & Pre-Sales (50%) Lead discovery sessions, workshops, and assessments to identify business challenges, strategic priorities, and cloud & AI transformation opportunities. Build trusted relationships with executives, business stakeholders, and technical teams, developing a deep understanding of client objectives and operating environments. Present cloud and AI value propositions, architecture solutions, technology demonstrations, and executive recommendations. Support RFPs, POCs, competitive bids, and go-to-market initiatives in collaboration with sales and delivery teams. Assess cloud and AI readiness, define transformation opportunities, and represent PwC at client and industry events. Solution Architecture & Design (35%) Design scalable Microsoft cloud solutions integrated with AI and advanced analytics capabilities. Translate business requirements into architecture blueprints, technical specifications, and implementation roadmaps. Develop business cases, ROI analyses, and TCO models demonstrating the value of cloud and AI initiatives. Design secure, compliant, and cost-optimized architectures enabling AI-ready infrastructure, cloud migration, application modernization, and hybrid-cloud adoption. Architect AI solutions using Azure AI Services, Machine Learning, Cognitive Services, and Azure Synapse. Conduct security, governance, and compliance assessments and ensure alignment with client strategy, budget, and organizational capabilities. Proposal Development & Commercial Execution (10%) Lead the development of business and technical proposals, including executive summaries, solution approaches, delivery methodologies, implementation plans, pricing models, and resource estimates. Define business outcomes, success criteria, KPIs, and value realization metrics. Ensure proposal quality, accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with market positioning. Thought Leadership & Capability Development (5%) Maintain expertise in Microsoft cloud technologies, AI/ML capabilities, advanced analytics, and industry best practices. Contribute to internal knowledge assets, reusable solution templates, and PwC cloud and AI capability initiatives. Mentor junior architects and consultants and participate in industry events, webinars, conferences, and thought leadership activities. What we need from you: Professional Experience 8+ years of experience in cloud architecture, enterprise IT solutions, digital transformation, or consulting environments. 5+ years of hands-on Microsoft Azure experience across multiple client engagements. Experience delivering AI/ML, advanced analytics, data engineering, or cloud transformation projects. Proven success leading enterprise transformation initiatives, developing business cases, and supporting complex pre-sales engagements. Experience working with C-level executives, business stakeholders, and technical teams. Technical Expertise Expert knowledge of Microsoft Azure, including infrastructure, networking, databases, security, governance, migration, hybrid-cloud, and multi-cloud architectures. Strong understanding of cloud-native development, DevOps, automation, Infrastructure as Code ( IaC ), modern application architectures, and cloud cost optimization. Experience with Azure AI Services, Azure Machine Learning, Azure OpenAI, Azure Synapse, and advanced analytics platforms. Knowledge of data engineering, data platforms, AI/ML deployment, monitoring, governance, compliance, and enterprise integration patterns, including API management. Familiarity with Python, Databricks, or similar AI and analytics technologies. Certifications Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) – REQUIRED . Additional Azure certifications strongly preferred: Azure Administrator (AZ-104), Azure Data Engineer (AZ-400), or Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) . Azure AI certifications preferred: Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102) or Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) . Consulting & Leadership Skills Ability to translate complex business challenges into cloud and AI solutions with clear business value and measurable outcomes. Strong communication , presentation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities. Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and complex sales cycles. Understanding of consulting methodologies, project delivery, and business development activities, including opportunity identification and solution shaping. Ability to connect cloud infrastructure decisions with AI and analytics-driven business outcomes. Collaborative leadership style with a strong focus on client success, innovation, and delivery excellence. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience in consulting or professional services environments. Industry expertise in one or more sectors such as Financial Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Government, Retail, Energy, or Automotive. Experience with Azure Synapse, Azure Cognitive Services, Azure IoT, Azure Stack, or similar Microsoft technologies. Exposure to emerging technologies and their business applications beyond cloud and AI. Experience contributing to thought leadership through speaking engagements, blogs, whitepapers, case studies, or industry publications. Fluency in English. We Offer: Opportunities to impact: Work on high-impact cloud and AI transformation initiatives across diverse industries, helping clients achieve measurable business outcomes. Mentoring: Access continuous learning opportunities through PwC University, professional certifications, knowledge-sharing programs, and a clear career development path within a collaborative team of cloud and AI specialists. Work-life balance: Benefit from flexible working arrangements and work-life balance initiatives in a supportive and inclusive environment. Extra perks : Enjoy a competitive compensation and benefits package, access to PwC's global network and Cloud & AI ecosystem, and recognition for exceptional performance and client impact. #LI-SC1