Principal Architect – Microsoft Cloud (Azure, Data & AI)

Job Description

Role Overview

We are hiring a Microsoft Center of Excellence Lead or a Solutions Technical Leader to define and drive the technical strategy for our Microsoft business globally.

This is a senior, externally facing leadership role at the intersection of:

• Executive technology leadership
• Azure, Data, and AI architecture
• Strategic deal shaping and co-innovation with Microsoft

You will act as the technical face of Publicis Sapient to clients and Microsoft, shaping complex pursuits, influencing innovation, and scaling repeatable solutions across the Microsoft ecosystem.

Qualifications

What You Bring :

Experience

• 12+ years in enterprise architecture, CoE leadership, or senior technical leadership roles
• Proven track record shaping and winning large, complex transformation deals
• Experience operating as a trusted advisor to C-suite stakeholders

Microsoft Technical Expertise -

Hands-on depth across:

• Azure platform (infrastructure, platform services, integration, modernization)
• Data platforms (Fabric, analytics, enterprise data ecosystems)
• AI platforms (Azure OpenAI, AI Studio, ML, Copilot ecosystem)

Track record delivering:

• Enterprise-scale cloud architectures
• Production-grade AI solutions
• Scalable, repeatable solution patterns

Commercial & Executive Capability

• Ability to translate technology into business value, commercial outcomes, and platform growth
• Strong executive communication and storytelling skills
• Experience linking technical strategy to client transformation and Microsoft ecosystem growth

Leadership Profile

• Strong cross-industry perspective with pattern recognition and reuse
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and pioneer new solution spaces
• Proven experience orchestrating global teams and partner ecosystems

Preferred Differentiators

• Microsoft certifications (Azure Architect, AI Engineer, Data Engineer)
• Established relationships across the Microsoft ecosystem
• Experience with Copilot, GenAI, and agentic AI architectures
• Proven track record building scalable IP and co-sell solutions
• Thought leadership across events, publications, or industry forums
• Industry depth in Financial Services, Retail, Healthcare, Energy, or Telecom

Why This Role

• Lead and scale Publicis Sapient’s Microsoft Center of Excellence globally
• Operate as a senior technical leader shaping strategy, deals, and innovation
• Partner directly with Microsoft to influence joint solutions and market impact
• Build the next generation of Azure + Data + AI + Copilot-driven enterprise transformation

Additional Information

Pay Range: $200,000 - $270,000

The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Publicis Sapient. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself. Benefits of working here: Flexible vacation policy; time is not limited, allocated, or accrued 16 paid holidays throughout the year Generous parental leave and new parent transition program Tuition reimbursement Corporate gift matching program

As part of our dedication to an inclusive and diverse workforce, Publicis Sapient is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected]. Your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Company Description

Publicis Sapient is a global digital transformation partner that, for more than 30 years, has guided some of the world s largest organisations toward a digitally enabled future, both in the way they work and the way they serve their customers. We help unlock value through a start-up mindset and modern methods, fusing strategy, consulting and customer experience with agile engineering and Data problem-solving creativity. United by our core values and purpose of helping people thrive in the brave pursuit of Next.

Our teams combine deep industry expertise with our SPEED capabilities, Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data & AI to tackle the biggest challenges clients are facing today. This is where transformation stops being a buzzword and becomes measurable outcomes for millions of members.

Our 20,000+ professionals in 70 offices worldwide combine experience across technology, data sciences, consulting, and customer obsession to accelerate our clients’ businesses by designing the products and services their customers truly value. Our people are problem-solvers and collaborators, leveraging human ingenuity and AI-driven tools to drive innovation.

Our 20,000+ professionals in 70 offices worldwide combine experience across technology, data sciences, consulting, and customer obsession to accelerate our clients’ businesses by designing the products and services their customers truly value. Our people are problem-solvers and collaborators, leveraging human ingenuity and AI-driven tools to drive innovation.

As a strategic Microsoft partner, we co-innovate to deliver enterprise-scale transformation across the Microsoft Intelligent Cloud, spanning Azure, Data, AI, Security, and Copilot platforms.