Principal Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect (Chicago)

Prestigious Financial Institution is currently seeking a Principal Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect. Candidate will be responsible for providing technical expertise and architectural solutions for Microsoft 365 ecosystem, with focus on identity management and optimization of Microsoft cloud services.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities :

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.

• Responsible for overall Microsoft 365 ecosystem architecture design and system analysis
• Acts as an expert for identity management and Microsoft cloud services in the plan, design, and delivery of IT operations
• Performs analysis and communicates industry trends in Microsoft technologies that benefit to IT management
• Drives short- and long-term architecture strategy for Microsoft 365 services including Exchange, SharePoint, Entra ID, Azure VDI, and rights management
• Conducts end-to-end technical plan design for identity management solutions
• Designs and participates in proof of concepts to enable new Microsoft cloud services
• Develops architectural designs for implementation of Microsoft 365 services
• Responsible for impact analysis and design modifications to existing systems for implementation of new Microsoft cloud services
• Responsible for Microsoft 365 standards and analysis to ensure compatibility and integration across the ecosystem
• Responsible for ensuring that teams are maintaining and executing organizational policies, procedures and controls, configuration management, and release management
• Work with cross-functional teams to train and transition to optimized Microsoft 365 services and identity management solutions
• Responsible for optimization, documentation, and support of Microsoft 365 components
• Take ownership of identity management discipline and be responsible for managing all Level 2 related issues in the Microsoft ecosystem
• Evaluate new tools, technologies, and processes to improve efficiency of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem

Qualifications :

• Experience in managing Microsoft 365 services including Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive
• Deep expertise in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) and identity management solutions
• Experience with Azure Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) implementation and management
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Information Protection and Rights Management
• Good understanding of how different Microsoft cloud services interact in an enterprise environment
• Ability to investigate and perform Root Cause Analysis on reported issues and suggest workarounds before implementing permanent fixes
• Act as a subject matter expert for troubleshooting and resolving complex problems across Microsoft platforms
• Partner with different infrastructure and development teams
• Work independently, prioritize existing projects, and proactively determine areas requiring additional attention
• Work in collaboration with infrastructure teams, product managers, development teams and architects to provide platform-related knowledge
• Experience with Microsoft 365 administration and architecture
• Deep expertise in Microsoft Entra ID, Azure AD Connect, and hybrid identity solutions
• Experience with Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Teams administration
• Knowledge of Microsoft Information Protection and Rights Management
• Experience with Azure Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
• Experience with PowerShell scripting for Microsoft 365 automation
• Working knowledge of Microsoft administration tools
• Experience with Microsoft Graph API
• Knowledge of modern authentication protocols
• Experience with Microsoft licensing models and optimization strategies
• 10+ years of experience in Microsoft technologies with focus on identity management and Microsoft 365 services

Certification :

• Microsoft Certified : Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Microsoft 365 Certified : Enterprise Administrator Expert
• Microsoft Certified : Identity and Access Administrator Associate
• ITIL Certification(s)