Messaging and Collaboration Cloud Architect

Job Summary:

The Messaging &Collaboration Architect is responsible for designing, implementing, and governing enterprise messaging platforms across hybrid environments, including Microsoft Exchange Server (On-Premises), Exchange Online, and Microsoft 365services hosted within Microsoft Azure.

This role provides architectural leadership for messaging transformation initiatives, cloud migration programs, platform modernization, and operational governance. The architect ensures secure, scalable, highly available, and compliant messaging services while enabling seamless collaboration across the enterprise.

In addition, the role works closely with infrastructure, security, cloud, and workplace teams to define messaging strategies, establish technical standards, and support enterprise transformation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Messaging Architecture &Strategy

·      Define enterprise messaging and collaboration architecture standards.

·      Develop strategic roadmaps for Exchange modernization and Microsoft 365 adoption.

·      Design hybrid messaging architectures supporting coexistence between on-premise and cloud environments.

·      Establish messaging governance, security, compliance, and operational standards.

·      Lead technical assessments and architecture reviews for messaging-related initiatives.

·      Ensure architecture aligns with enterprise technology and cloud strategies.

Microsoft Exchange Platform Architecture

·      Design and govern Microsoft Exchange Server environments (2016, 2019, Subscription Edition).

·      Design Exchange Online architectures within Microsoft 365.

·      Architect hybrid Exchange deployments and migration strategies.

·      Define mailbox resiliency, high availability, disaster recovery, and backup architectures.

·      Design transport, routing, mail flow, and message hygiene solutions.

·      Lead platform capacity planning and performance optimization initiatives.

Microsoft 365 & Azure Integration

·      Architect Microsoft 365 messaging and collaboration services.

·      Design Azure-integrated messaging solutions supporting hybrid cloud operations.

·      Implement and govern Azure networking requirements supporting Exchange Online connectivity.

·      Design identity integration leveraging Azure Active Directory and Entra ID.

·      Support integration with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and related collaboration services.

·      Ensure secure cloud adoption through modern authentication and conditional access controls.

Messaging Security &Compliance

·      Design secure messaging environments aligned with Zero Trust principles.

·      Architect email protection solutions including:

o  Microsoft Defender for Office 365

o  Exchange Online Protection (EOP)

o  Anti-spam and anti-phishing controls

o  Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

o  Information Protection and Sensitivity Labels

·      Ensure compliance with enterprise security standards and regulatory requirements.

·      Support eDiscovery, retention policies, legal hold, and audit requirements.

·      Collaborate with cybersecurity teams on threat management and incident response.

Cloud Migration &Transformation

·      Lead Exchange migration projects from on-premise environments to Microsoft 365.

·      Design mailbox migration strategies and coexistence models.

·      Develop migration runbooks, technical procedures, and rollback plans.

·      Assess legacy environments and recommend modernization approaches.

·      Provide architecture leadership for tenant consolidation, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

·       Drive adoption of modern workplace and collaboration technologies.

Service Delivery &Operational Governance

·      Establish operational standards and support models for messaging services.

·      Define monitoring, reporting, and service health management requirements.

·      Ensure adherence to ITIL processes including Incident, Problem, Change, and Configuration Management.

·      Support major incident management and root cause analysis activities.

·      Participate in service reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

·      Define platform KPIs, SLAs, and operational metrics.

Automation & AI-Enabled Operations

·       Design automation solutions for messaging administration and operational activities.

·       Utilize PowerShell scripting for provisioning, administration, and reporting.

·       Promote Infrastructure as Code and automation-first approaches where applicable.

·       Leverage Microsoft Copilot and AI-enabled operational tools to improve support efficiency.

·       Develop operational dashboards and reporting capabilities using Power Platform technologies.

Collaboration &Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Infrastructure, Cloud, Security, Workplace, and Application teams.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and administrators.
• Present architecture recommendations to senior management and customers.
• Facilitate design workshops and architecture review sessions.
• Maintain architecture documentation, standards, and knowledge repositories.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

·      8+ years of experience in Microsoft Messaging and Collaboration technologies.

·      Hands-on experience with:

o  Microsoft Exchange Server (2013/2016/2019/SE)

o  Exchange Online

o  Microsoft365 Administration

o  Hybrid Exchange Deployments

o  Azure Active Directory / Entra ID

o  Azure Networking Concepts

o  Microsoft Teams Integration

o  Mail Flow and Transport Services

o  PowerShell Automation

o  Messaging Migration Projects

·      Strong knowledge of:

o  Hybrid Messaging Architectures

o  High Availability and Disaster Recovery

o  Authentication and Identity Management

o  Email Security Technologies

o  Compliance and Governance Frameworks

o  Microsoft Licensing Models

o  Enterprise Infrastructure Platforms

·      Experience supporting:

o  Large-scale enterprise messaging environments

o  Cloud transformation programs

o  Messaging modernization initiatives

o  Managed services operations

Key Competencies :

·      Enterprise Architecture Thinking

·      Technical Leadership

·      Strategic Planning

·      Solution Design

·      Stakeholder Management

·      Problem Solving and Troubleshooting

·      Communication and Presentation Skills

·      Risk Assessment and Mitigation

·      Documentation and Governance Discipline

·     Customer-Focused Mindset.

Qualifications and Certifications :

·       Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.

·       Preferred Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate

o   ITIL Foundation or ITIL 4 Managing Professional

·       Advantageous Certifications

o  TOGAF

o  CISSP