Overview:
As Director, Solutions Engineering, you will be JDA’s first dedicated Solutions Engineering hire. You will own solution design for new and expanding client programs end-to-end, from discovery through proposal, pricing, and transition into delivery. You will operate as the connective tissue between go-to-market and operations, translating client needs into executable program architectures and commercial structures.
Initially, this is a hands-on, high-impact role with no direct reports. Over time, you will help define what good looks like for Solutions Engineering at JDA and build a team as the function scales.
Responsibilities:
Lead solution design for complex pursuits
- Run structured discovery with enterprise stakeholders to understand goals, constraints, current-state processes, and success metrics.
- Design end-to-end managed service solutions: operating model, workflows, roles, tooling approach, governance, reporting, and launch plan.
- Define scope boundaries, assumptions, dependencies, and measurable outcomes.
- Create high-quality client-facing deliverables (decks, proposals, RFP responses, solution summaries) that drive alignment and accelerate decisions.
- Partner with Sales to shape deal strategy, close plans, and differentiation narrative.
Build commercially sound, executable programs
- Create staffing models, onboarding and training plans, QA approaches, and steady-state operating cadences.
- Develop pricing models and business cases that balance competitiveness with margin discipline.
- Support contract development (MSA/SOW) by providing scope clarity, deliverables, acceptance criteria, and change-control structure.
- Pressure-test solutions with Delivery/Operations, Recruiting, IT/Security, and Finance to ensure feasibility.
Own transition readiness and delivery handoff
- Lead internal solution reviews to align on delivery approach, risks, and resourcing.
- Produce transition artifacts: launch plan, RACI, timeline, training plan, and reporting/KPIs.
- Stay engaged post-close as needed to ensure launch quality and preserve solution intent.
Advance JDA’s AI+HI approach
- Design solutions that incorporate automation and AI appropriately with strong human-in-the-loop controls.
- Identify repeatable patterns and components that improve speed-to-solution and consistency across pursuits.
Build the Solutions Engineering function (phase 1)
- Establish standards for discovery, scoping, estimating, pricing hygiene, proposal quality, and handoffs.
- Create reusable templates and playbooks (discovery guides, solution briefs, pricing models, transition checklists).
- Define the future org structure, roles, and hiring plan as pipeline scales and priorities become clear.
What Success Looks Like
- Higher win rate and stronger conversion on qualified pipeline.
- Margin-aligned pricing and fewer scope surprises post-close.
- High-quality handoffs and smooth launches (delivery satisfaction).
- Reusable SE assets and a clear plan to scale the function.
Qualifications:
- 8–12+ years in solutions engineering, solution consulting, launch operations, pre-sales, customer operations, managed services, or tech-enabled services.
- Proven ability to lead enterprise discovery and translate ambiguity into executable operating models.
- Strong commercial skills: scoping, estimating, pricing, and shaping SOW language with clear assumptions and change control.
- Executive presence and crisp communication: able to simplify complexity and drive decisions.
- Comfort working autonomously in a first-hire environment: building structure while delivering outcomes.
- Analytical strength (staffing models, unit economics, margin sensitivity).
- Preferred experience in customer support operations, technical support, trust & safety, compliance/risk, or back-office operations.
- Preferred familiarity with AI-enabled workflows and human-in-the-loop design.
- Preferred consulting background or experience productizing service offerings/modules.
Pay Range:
USD $120,000.00 - USD $160,000.00 /Yr.
