Role Summary
The Sr Microsoft 365 Engineer - Intelligent Support SME is responsible for delivering vendor-alternative support across the Microsoft portfolio (Azure, Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, SQL, Windows Server, System Center, Dynamics, etc.). This role provides deep technical expertise, end-to-end incident ownership, proactive guidance for migrations and major changes, acting as a trusted advisor and primary escalation point for complex Microsoft issues.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide technical support for Microsoft workloads, including remote diagnosis, debugging, and remediation of complex issues.
- Own incidents end-to-end: triage, troubleshooting, coordination with internal/external teams, and communication through resolution.
- Serve as an escalation point for critical (Sev 1/2) Microsoft incidents to ensure rapid restoration of service.
- Drive root cause analysis (RCA) for major incidents and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Conduct supportability reviews for major Microsoft migrations and deployments (e.g., M365, Azure, Teams, SharePoint, Exchange, SQL).
- Provide design and configuration recommendations to ensure high availability, performance, and supportability.
- Participate in planning and supporting customer change windows related to Microsoft platforms.
- Lead patching and hotfix deployment activities for Microsoft platforms, ensuring safe rollout and minimal downtime.
- Evaluate Microsoft advisories and updates; recommend appropriate patching strategies aligned to customer risk profiles.
- Coordinate with customers on maintenance windows, rollback plans, and post-change validation.
- Act as a trusted technical advisor to customers for all Microsoft-related issues and questions.
- Coordinate with Microsoft (when needed) for complex defect resolution while maintaining AHEAD’s “single point of contact” experience.
- Collaborate closely with Client Success Managers to prepare for QBR/EBR reviews and present technical health/performance metrics.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and knowledge base articles to improve first-contact resolution.
- Contribute to continuous improvement efforts around processes, tools, and automation for Microsoft support.
- Mentor junior engineers and cross-train peers on Microsoft technologies and best practices.
Incident & Problem Management
Proactive Support & Supportability Reviews
Patching, Hotfixes & Maintenance
Customer & Vendor Collaboration
Documentation & Continuous Improvement
Required Skills & Experience:
- Technical Expertise
- Deep, hands-on experience with several of the following:
- Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams)
- Azure IaaS/PaaS services and networking
- Windows Server & Active Directory
- SQL Server and related data services
- System Center, Intune/Endpoint Manager
- Strong troubleshooting skills across OS, networking, identity, and application layers.
- Experience
- 8+ years in a Microsoft-focused support, operations, or consulting role.
- Experience in enterprise or service provider environments with 24x7 support expectations.
- Background in incident, problem, and change management processes (ITIL desirable).
- Soft Skills
- Strong customer-facing communication skills (verbal and written).
- Ability to remain calm and structured during high-severity incidents.
- Comfortable working in a multi-vendor context and prioritizing competing demands.
- Deep, hands-on experience with several of the following:
Education & Certifications (Preferred):
- Microsoft certifications such as:
- Microsoft 365 Certified (e.g., Administrator, Messaging, Teams)
- Azure Administrator / Azure Solutions Architect
- Windows Server or Security-focused certifications
Success Measures (Role-level KPIs):
- SLA response and resolution compliance for Microsoft incidents.
- Percentage of Microsoft incidents resolved without vendor escalation.
- Reduction in recurrence of major Microsoft incidents.
- Successful completion of supportability reviews for major Microsoft changes.
- Customer satisfaction scores (CSAT) and feedback for Microsoft-related tickets.
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