BizApps Data/AI Lead Architect

Avanade•Seattle, WA

About The Position

As Lead Data & AI Architect in Avanade’s global ERP Centre of Excellence, you will connect the Business Applications and Data & AI Solution Areas, aligning and adapting Avanade’s Data & AI strategies, offerings, and reference architectures for Dynamics 365. You will lead the global Dynamics 365 Data & AI Community of Practice, act as a senior data and AI expert for project teams, and advise client executives on the value and potential of ERP and CRM data. The role spans presales and delivery. Its preferred model is to support the wider portfolio as a senior expert through design reviews, quality assurance, focused problem-solving, recovery work, architect oversight, and pursuit solutioning. When required, you may lead data and AI architecture for an individual strategic programme over a longer period. You will own data and analytics architecture for Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management and Customer Engagement, design Microsoft Fabric and Power BI solutions, and help ensure data is governed, secure, trusted, and suitable for analytics and AI. You will identify and shape AI use cases, advise executives on data strategy and investment, develop data and AI talent, and build relationships with Microsoft and Accenture teams. Avanade describes this as a global role with influence on how it delivers Dynamics 365 worldwide. The company offers access to Microsoft product teams and roadmaps, paid Microsoft certifications and dedicated annual training time, a career advisor, and a path into senior technical leadership roles. Compensation varies by location, role, skills, and experience. Listed annual salary ranges are $159,000–$189,000 for Seattle, District of Columbia, and Boston, and $149,000–$179,000 for Illinois, Dallas, Houston, San Diego, and Denver. Avanade also lists medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability coverage, a 401(k) plan, bonus opportunities, paid holidays, and paid time off.

Requirements

Long experience with Microsoft Dynamics, typically 12 years or more across Dynamics AX, Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management, and Dataverse-based applications.
Experience delivering several full-lifecycle enterprise implementations.
Strong track record designing and delivering data, reporting, and analytics solutions using Microsoft BI tools for Dynamics 365 clients.
Experience bringing business applications and data and analytics teams together across organisational boundaries.
Consulting or systems integration background and experience leading distributed delivery teams.
Deep understanding of the Dynamics 365 data model, data entities, Dataverse, and ways to make Dynamics 365 data available to analytics and AI platforms.
Expert command of Power BI, including semantic modelling, DAX, performance optimisation, and enterprise-scale governance.
Hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric and Azure data services, including Fabric Link, Synapse Link for Dataverse, Data Factory, Lakehouse, and Warehouse.
Practical knowledge of Microsoft AI tools, including Copilot in Dynamics 365 and Power BI, Copilot Studio, Fabric data agents, Microsoft Foundry, and Azure OpenAI.
Strong grasp of data governance, security, and lineage; Microsoft Purview is preferred within this requirement.
Good understanding of finance and supply chain processes and the KPIs that matter to business leaders.
Executive presence and ability to engage credibly with CFOs and chief data officers while also working in depth with data engineering teams.
Ability to communicate complex data and AI topics in concise, compelling C-level updates that build trust and support decisions.
Experience building and energising communities and willingness to share knowledge.
Collaborative, consultative approach, intellectual curiosity, and strong ownership.
Fluent English.

Nice To Haves

Additional languages.
Microsoft certifications such as Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate, Fabric Data Engineer Associate, Power BI Data Analyst Associate, Azure AI Engineer Associate, or Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert.
Microsoft MVP status or a visible profile as a speaker or author in the data, Power BI, or Dynamics community.
Experience with sustainability, ESG, or industry-specific data solutions built on Dynamics 365.

Responsibilities

Connect Avanade’s Business Applications and Data & AI Solution Areas and align their work for Dynamics 365 clients.
Adapt Avanade’s Data & AI strategies, offerings, reference architectures, data models, and accelerators for Dynamics 365 rather than creating parallel approaches.
Act as the senior data and AI expert for Dynamics 365 project teams across regions, providing design reviews, advice, and second opinions.
Conduct quality assurance reviews of data, reporting, and AI components in active programmes, identifying risks early.
Lead focused engagements to resolve complex Fabric, Power BI, data integration, and AI solution challenges.
Lead recovery activities for troubled analytics or AI work, stabilising solutions, restoring client confidence, and handing over healthy projects.
Oversee and coach data and BI architects on Dynamics 365 projects, reviewing key decisions and aligning approaches with Avanade standards.
Shape data, analytics, and AI solutions for major pursuits, including solution design, estimates, and risks.
Own data and analytics architecture for Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management and Customer Engagement solutions.
Design Microsoft Fabric analytics platforms connected to Dynamics 365 through Fabric Link, Synapse Link for Dataverse, and the Dataverse data platform.
Lead Power BI solution design, including semantic models, DAX, embedded analytics, financial and operational reporting, and enterprise performance tuning.
Ensure Dynamics 365 data is suitable for analytics and AI through clear ownership, data-quality rules, and business semantics.
Incorporate governance, security, lineage, row-level security, and capacity and cost management into solution designs.
Modernise legacy reporting estates, including BYOD, entity store, and older BI platforms, into a Fabric-first architecture.
Identify and shape AI use cases across finance, supply chain, and customer processes, including forecasting, anomaly detection, Copilot experiences, and autonomous agents.
Design AI solutions using Copilot in Dynamics 365 and Power BI, Copilot Studio, Fabric data agents, Microsoft Foundry, and Azure OpenAI.
Prepare client data for trustworthy and explainable AI, and embed responsible AI, privacy, compliance, and governance in solutions.
Engage CFOs, COOs, CIOs, and chief data officers on data strategy, analytics roadmaps, and AI investment decisions.
Explain complex data and AI topics in concise executive updates that communicate business value, risks, and next steps.
Help leadership teams define meaningful KPIs and insights and understand how modern data platforms can deliver them.
Serve as a senior escalation point and adviser to Avanade leadership on data and analytics for critical programmes.
Lead the global Dynamics 365 Data & AI Community of Practice, running regular community calls and joint sessions with the Data & AI practice.
Coach and develop data and AI talent and help establish career paths for data specialists in Business Applications.
Build relationships with Microsoft Dynamics 365, Dataverse, Fabric, and Power BI product teams; bring roadmap insights to the community and share client feedback.
Work with Accenture data and AI communities and Microsoft partner teams to include Dynamics 365 scenarios in joint offerings and go-to-market activity.
Represent Avanade at Microsoft and industry events and contribute thought leadership on data and AI in business applications.

Benefits

Medical coverage.
Dental coverage.
Vision coverage.
Life insurance.
Long-term disability coverage.
401(k) plan.
Bonus opportunities.
Paid holidays.
Paid time off.
Paid Microsoft certifications.
Dedicated training time every year.
Dedicated career advisor.
Clear path into senior technical leadership roles.
Access to Microsoft product teams, roadmaps, previews, and product engineering conversations.
Inclusive, international community.