RIS AI Architect Associate Director

Project Role Description: Support at the intersection of technical depth and client engagement, owning the end-to-end design of cloud-native and AI-powered solutions for mid-to-large transformation engagements. Operating with greater autonomy than a senior architect, this role leads pursuit teams, shapes proposals, and translates complex requirements into compelling, commercially grounded solution narratives — while remaining hands-on in validating architecture decisions. Key Responsibilities: 1. Lead solution architecture for cloud-native and AI engagements in the $3M–$20M range — from discovery through proposal, orals, and transition-to-delivery — with Director oversight on larger bids. 2. Support and contribute to application modernisation initiatives including microservices decomposition, API-led integration, event-driven architectures, and serverless patterns. 3. Architect multi-cloud and hybrid solutions leveraging platform-native AI services (SageMaker, Azure AI Foundry, Vertex AI) and open-source frameworks. 4. Define and validate non-functional requirements — security, resilience, observability, cost optimisation, and responsible AI/governance — across proposed solutions. 5. Engage client technical stakeholders (architects, engineering leads, CTOs) to build credibility, uncover requirements, and co-shape solution vision. 6. Produce high-quality proposal artefacts including solution overviews, architecture diagrams, technical sections of RFP responses, and executive summaries. 7. Mentor and guide senior and mid-level architects within the practice; contribute to reusable assets, accelerators, and thought leadership. 8. Coordinate with delivery leads and practice principals to ensure smooth handover from pre-sales to delivery. Technical Experience: Deep expertise across AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform—services, pricing, well-architected frameworks, and partner programs Cloud-native architecture: Kubernetes (EKS, AKS, GKE), containerisation (Docker), service mesh (Istio/Linkerd), GitOps, Helm Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Pulumi, CDK; CI/CD toolchains: GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins Private cloud and hybrid architectures: VMware Tanzu, Azure Arc, AWS Outposts, OpenShift Professional Attributes: Strong client-facing presence — able to engage senior technical stakeholders and translate architectural decisions into business value clearly and confidently. Proven ability to contribute meaningfully to winning technology deals; comfortable owning the technical narrative on mid-market pursuits. Excellent written and verbal communication; adept at crafting architecture diagrams, solution narratives, and proposal content under deadline pressure. Commercially aware — can balance technical idealism with delivery pragmatism, scope management, and client constraints. Collaborative team member who can lead a small pursuit team, manage ambiguity, and coordinate across functions (sales, delivery, SMEs). Continuous learner with genuine curiosity about emerging AI and cloud technologies; actively builds and shares knowledge within the practice. Educational Qualification: 18+ years of overall IT experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a Solution Architect or Pre-Sales Architect role at a tier-1 IT services or consulting organisation Proven experience winning and architecting deals in the $5M–$50M+ range across cloud transformation, application modernisation, and AI/data programmes Mandatory cloud certifications: AWS Solutions Architect – Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or GCP Professional Cloud Architect (two or more preferred) AI/ML certifications desirable: AWS ML Specialty, Azure AI Engineer, Google Professional ML Engineer, or equivalent Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field Must have Skills AI ML platforms, Cloud native architecture, Languages frameworks Java Spring Boot, .NET C , Python primary for AI ML , Node.js , Microservices. Good to Have Skills Responsible AI, Data engineering, Automation, Domain expertise About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 791,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. 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