Microsoft 365 Architect

This Microsoft 365 Architect role is a 12-Month Contract with a client located in Addison, TX.

Pay Range: $70/hr. - $80/hr. The rate may be negotiable based on experience, education, geographic location, and other factors.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated technology leader with deep expertise in Microsoft 365 architecture, security, compliance, governance, and cloud service engineering. This role will be responsible for partnering with business stakeholders, cybersecurity teams, risk and compliance partners, and engineering organizations to design and implement secure, compliant, and scalable Microsoft 365 solutions aligned with enterprise standards and regulatory requirements.

The candidate will drive architecture decisions, provide engineering analysis, establish governance frameworks, and deliver innovative solutions that strengthen the firm's security posture while enabling productivity. Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills are essential, as this role regularly engages senior executives, security organizations, compliance partners, and technology teams to ensure alignment with security controls, regulatory obligations, and enterprise governance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of Microsoft 365 security, compliance, governance, and risk management solutions across the enterprise.
• Define and maintain security and compliance frameworks aligned with regulatory requirements, corporate policies, and industry best practices.
• Architect cloud-based productivity solutions with a focus on data protection, information governance, identity security, regulatory compliance, automation, scalability, and resiliency.
• Provide architectural leadership for Microsoft 365 services, including security controls, compliance capabilities, monitoring, audit readiness, and governance processes.
• Partner closely with Cyber Security, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Audit, and Technology teams to ensure solutions meet enterprise security and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain architectural standards, design artifacts, roadmaps, and governance documentation supporting operational excellence and compliance objectives.
• Conduct assessments of existing platforms and processes, identify security or compliance gaps, and recommend remediation strategies and long-term improvements.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic guidance on Microsoft Purview, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Information Protection, Records Management, Insider Risk, eDiscovery, Compliance Manager, and related M365 compliance services.
• Establish and champion best-in-class engineering practices that support secure solution delivery, operational effectiveness, and continuous compliance.
• Support initiatives ranging from proof-of-concepts and emerging technologies to large-scale enterprise transformations and multi-year strategic programs.
• Drive automation and control implementation to enhance monitoring, reporting, policy enforcement, and governance across Microsoft 365 services.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership by providing recommendations on security strategy, compliance requirements, risk management, and technology investments.

Required Qualifications

• College degree in Computer Science, Technology, Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience
• 10 years’ experience with architecture and engineering across email services
• Expert-level knowledge of relevant collaboration services both cloud and on-premises
• Expert-level knowledge of cross platform Directory solutions, Conditional Access, Identity & Access Management, Security/Compliance, Data Loss Prevention, Data Classification
• High-level knowledge of foundational components such as Active Directory, network infrastructure/architecture (DNS/DHCP, routing, etc.), & PowerShell scripting
• Expert level design and solution engineering experience in various collaboration technologies
• Expert knowledge of data loss prevention services including deployment, configuration and administration
• Self-starter, critical thinker with proven ability to deal with granular requirements yet see things holistically and strategically
• Ability to create architecture documents including network/data flows and test scope

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with enterprise security including TLS including SMTP over TLS, certificates, HSM, NIST standards
• Experience with Microsoft Windows operating system environment
• Experience with M365, including OneDrive, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online & Teams
• Authentication mechanisms including domain authentication, OAuth/Modern Authentication, Kerberos
• Experience with network & security components including load balancers, proxy, load balancers and firewalls
• Understanding of Financial Regulatory, Legal and Compliance requirements
• Experience with ITIL methodologies and best practices
• MCP or higher certification

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, an EAP program, commuter benefits, and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable. Disclaimer: These benefit offerings do not apply to client-recruited jobs and jobs that are direct hires to a client.

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit https://www.akkodis.com/en/privacy-policy.

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

· The California Fair Chance Act

· Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

· Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

· San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance