ulster.ac.uk

Candidate Briefing Document

May 2025

Cloud Security & Solutions Architect

Job Description

Role: Cloud Security & Solutions Architect

Department: Infrastructure & Operations, Digital Services Directorate

Grade: 7

Responsible to: Microsoft Services Technical Manager

Campus: Any Campus (Hybrid)

(Permanent / Full-Time)

Job Purpose The role holder will specialise in Azure, leading in architecting, implementing, and optimizing cloud solutions to ensure the design of scalable and resilient architectures.

The primary remit of the role extends to supporting and maintaining the University’s Cloud- Based Microsoft Enterprise configurations incorporating the M365 ecosystem, Entra ID, Azure Cloud Services and the Microsoft Security stack including Defender for Cloud, Defender for Office, Defender for Identity and Defender for Cloud Apps.

Main Duties

1. To design, implement, and manage Azure cloud solutions based on the Azure Well- Architected Framework’s five pillars and the Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF).

2. Responsible for the implementation of Azure cloud solutions, such as deploying resources, configuring settings, testing functionality, monitoring performance, and documenting outcomes.

3. To lead Azure cloud projects and initiatives, such as migration, modernization, automation, and innovation, and ensure alignment with business objectives and requirements.

4. To collaborate with stakeholders, vendors, and partners to define cloud architecture vision, strategy, and roadmap.

5. To evaluate and recommend new and emerging cloud technologies and solutions to improve performance, scalability, availability, and security of Azure cloud environment.

6. To ensure that the University’s Microsoft services infrastructure is configured, implemented and managed in accordance with accepted technical and operational standards.

7. To contribute to the design, implementation and management of the University’s virtualised Microsoft services architecture.

8. To drive automation of the implementation, maintenance and alerting of the Microsoft services environment.

9. To provide a fault analysis and diagnostic service for the Microsoft Services infrastructure and be responsible for corresponding problem management and resolution.

10. To monitor, and report on the service quality and operational resilience of the Microsoft Services infrastructure using appropriate management tools and techniques.

11. To assist with risk assessment and business continuity planning for the University’s Microsoft services infrastructure and ensure all service deployments are resilient.

12. To prepare and communicate technical and operational documentation to support the effective exploitation of the Microsoft services infrastructure, including the provision of regular statistical reports as required.

13. To maintain effective technical relationships with vendors and suppliers of hardware, software, and consultancy, and establish effective relationships with shared service and/or managed service providers.

This list of duties is not intended to be fully comprehensive; any other duties will be commensurate with the nature and level of the post.

We may create a 12-month waiting list for same or similar roles within the Department / Faculty. The University reserves the right to extend the waiting list across the University if required for certain posts.

The University is committed to developing all employees and operates a Developmental Appraisal Review (DAR) which is mandatory. You will be required to meet with your manager at least once every two years as part of the DAR process. If you have line management responsibility for other staff, you will be required to conduct a DAR meeting with your staff at least once every two years.

All staff in the University have a responsibility to comply with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Health and Safety Policy. Line Managers have particular responsibility for ensuring compliance with these Policies within their own area.

If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Darragh McCrickard, Microsoft Technical Services Manager via email

d.mccrickard@ulster.ac.uk

Personnel Specification Points to note:

• The tick symbol indicates whether the essential criteria is to be assessed at application or interview stage. • All essential criteria under Interpersonal Skills will be assessed at interview stage only. • The interview process for this position will consist of 2 stages. A Technical pre-assessment entailing 2 unseen tasks (remote or in person). If you are

successful, you will be invited to interview which will entail a seen presentation and subsequent interview (preferably in person).

Essential Selection Criteria (this section only includes criteria which are essential for the role) Evaluation method

Application Interview Education and Professional Qualifications

Degree or postgraduate qualification in an Information Technology, Computer Science related discipline or can demonstrate an appropriate level and range of professional experience. 

Previous Experience/ Training

Experience in designing and implementing Azure cloud solutions from design through to production. 

Experience of deploying, managing and supporting any two of the following technologies in a large organisation:

• Azure IaaS, PaaS and SaaS • Entra ID • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform and ARM • Microsoft Defender Suite including Defender for Cloud, Defender for Office, Defender for

Identity and Defender for Cloud Apps • Containerisation technologies including Azure Kubernetes • Secure logging of Azure and Microsoft Events such as Log Analytics



Experience and proficiency in scripting languages such as PowerShell or Python. 

Job Related Achievements An understanding of best practices for cloud environments, including security, cost optimization,

operational excellence, reliability, and performance efficiency. 

Strong experience of supporting, managing and developing the following Azure Infrastructure technologies: Networking, Security, Storage and Compute. 

The ability to work collaboratively in and across complex, multi-disciplined teams and within complex organisational structures. 

Interpersonal Skills

Proven interpersonal skills combined with good written and oral communication skills, with a keen attention to detail. Should include excellent presentation, networking and collaborative skills and the ability to present complex technical issues to both technical and non-technical audiences. 

A co-operative and collaborative approach whilst interacting with technical colleagues in other departments to provide solutions to technical problems. 

A highly self-motivated and self-directed individual, with the ability to plan and organise workloads to ensure that deadlines are met within resource constraints, consistently meeting objectives and success criteria.



Other Factors A willingness to travel between campuses. 

Commitment to continuing professional development, especially in relation to maintaining an appreciation for the value and relevance of new technologies, processes and practises. 

Desirable Criteria

The desirable criteria below are in ranked order of importance/relevance to the role and may be used in the shortlisting process.

1. Relevant Azure qualifications relating to Microsoft/Azure Solutions Architecture and Security (e.g. SC-900, AZ-900, AZ-305, AZ-204, AZ-500).

2. Experience of supporting Microsoft infrastructure deployments in a multi-campus or multi-site environment and/or within higher education.

The University will conduct a shortlisting exercise based on the written information you have provided. The initial shortlisting exercise will be based on the identified criteria from the personnel specification. The University reserves the right to supplement these shortlisting criteria using additional essential and/or desirable criteria from the personnel

specification at subsequent stages of the shortlisting process.

It is our policy not to accept CVs as an alternative to completing the University’s application form. The application form can be completed on-line at www.ulster.ac.uk or alternatively you can apply in hard copy.