Microsoft 365 Data Protection & Copilot Architect

SEI Sphere is a strategic Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) delivering end-to-end cybersecurity, cloud, AI, and data protection solutions. We help organizations securely adopt emerging technologies while maintaining compliance, governance, and operational excellence. Our mission is to enable innovation through secure, responsible, and scalable technology solutions.

SEI Sphere is seeking a Microsoft 365 Data Protection & Copilot Architect to lead the design, governance, security, and deployment of Microsoft data protection solutions for enterprise clients. This role will help organizations successfully adopt Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot for Work, Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, and emerging Microsoft AI technologies while ensuring data remains protected through strong governance, compliance, and security controls powered by Microsoft Purview.

What you will do:

• Lead client engagements, readiness assessments, executive workshops, and technical architecture sessions focused on secure Microsoft AI and Copilot adoption.
• Assess Microsoft 365 environments for permissions hygiene, oversharing, external sharing, data exposure, information architecture, and governance maturity; develop prioritized remediation plans and recommendations.
• Architect, deploy, and govern Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Chat, Copilot Studio, AI agents, connectors, plugins, Azure AI Foundry, and related solutions across Microsoft 365 and approved third-party data sources.
• Design and implement Microsoft Purview capabilities, including DLP, Information Protection, Sensitivity Labels, Data Lifecycle Management, Insider Risk Management, eDiscovery, Compliance Manager, and Data Security Posture Management for AI.
• Establish data protection, Copilot Control System, and AI governance frameworks covering reporting, auditing, policy enforcement, access governance, and ongoing compliance.
• Partner with security, cloud, infrastructure, managed services, and security operations teams to align AI deployments with Zero Trust principles and establish sustainable support and operating models.
• Develop reference architectures, governance models, implementation roadmaps, operational runbooks, standards, best practices, and client-facing technical documentation.
• Create adoption and value-realization frameworks using Microsoft 365 Copilot Analytics, Viva Insights, and usage reporting to demonstrate business outcomes, user adoption, and return on investment.
• Lead end-user enablement through training workshops, executive briefings, adoption programs, best-practice guidance, knowledge transfer, and operational readiness support.
• Support pre-sales and solution development activities, including discovery, solution design, effort estimation, statements of work, proposals, and tailored recommendations aligned with client needs.

What we need from you:

• Deep hands-on expertise with Microsoft Purview, including DLP, Information Protection and Sensitivity Labels, data lifecycle and records management, Insider Risk Management, eDiscovery, Compliance Manager, data classification and governance, DSPM for AI, Communication Compliance, Information Barriers, and auditing.
• Experience assessing and remediating oversharing, excessive permissions, data exposure, AI readiness, and governance risks within Microsoft 365 environments.
• Experience deploying and governing Microsoft 365 Copilot in enterprise environments.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 architecture, including SharePoint Online, OneDrive, Teams, Exchange Online, Entra ID, and Microsoft Graph, as well as Zero Trust principles and Microsoft security best practices.
• Strong client-facing consulting, presentation, and communication skills, with experience developing executive recommendations, governance strategies, and architecture documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple client engagements and collaborate effectively across security, infrastructure, and cloud teams.

What we would like from you:

• Experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot Analytics, adoption reporting, tenant assessments, AI readiness, governance maturity, and data security posture.
• Experience building Copilot governance and operating models, including Purview DSPM for AI and data exposure management initiatives.
• Experience with Azure AI Foundry, Copilot Studio, custom copilots, AI agents, and enterprise AI solution development.
• Knowledge of Microsoft security, cloud, data, and analytics platforms, including Defender XDR, Entra ID, Azure architecture, Microsoft Fabric, and related governance initiatives.
• Previous MSP, MSSP, or consulting experience, including mentoring engineers or leading technical delivery teams.

Primary Certifications

• Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate (SC-400)
• Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)

Secondary Certifications

• Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100)
• Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300)
• Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200)
• Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
• M365 Enterprise Administrator Expert (MS-102)
• Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate (DP-600)

The base salary pay for this role is $125,000 - $140,000 per year.

This position will also be eligible to earn a discretionary bonus each year, subject to company approval.

SEI’s competitive advantage:

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including comprehensive care for your physical and mental well-being, a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, support for working parents and flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Benefits include healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription, wellness, EAP, FSA), life and disability insurance (premiums paid for base coverage), 401(k) match, education assistance, commuter benefits, up to 11 paid holidays/year, 21 days PTO/year pro-rated for new hires which increases over time, paid parental leave, back-up childcare arrangements, paid volunteer days, a discounted stock purchase plan, investment options, access to thriving employee networks and more.

We are a technology and asset management company delivering on our promise of building brave futures (SM)—for our clients, our communities, and ourselves. Come build your brave future at SEI.

The position title reflected in this job description is aligned with SEI's current internal job architecture. As part of SEI's role and career framework, internal job titles may not directly correspond to external market titles and may differ from titles previously assigned during an employee's tenure or at the time of hire.

SEI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and so much more…

After over 50 years in business, SEI remains a leading global provider of investment processing, investment management, and investment operations solutions. Reflecting our experience within financial services and financial technology our offices encompass an open floor plan and numerous art installations designed to encourage innovation and creativity in our workforce. We recognize that our people are our most valuable asset and that a healthy, happy, and motivated workforce is key to our continued growth. At SEI, we’re (literally) invested in your success. We offer our employees paid parental leave, back-up childcare arrangements, paid volunteer days, education assistance and access to thriving employee networks.

SEI is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

AI Acceptable Use in the application and interview process:

SEI acknowledges the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into individuals’ personal and professional lives. If you intend to incorporate the use of any AI tools at any stage of the application and/or interview process, please ensure you have reviewed and adhere to our AI use guidelines.