Practice Director - Microsoft Engineering

A bit about us

For over 17 years, ClearPoint has helped organisations succeed in a continually changing digital landscape. We are a trusted technology partner combining digital design, software engineering, data and insights, cloud and platforms, and consulting services to help organisations adapt to change.

We pride ourselves on forming transformational collaborative partnerships that maximise value, deliver results and make a lasting impact. Year after year, we've successfully delivered outcomes-based projects, such as modernising core platforms for major enterprises, transforming digital customer experiences for leading brands, and unlocking critical data insights to drive business growth. Through innovative thinking, we strive to make a difference for ourselves, our teams, our clients and our community across New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

The ClearPoint culture

We’re proud of the collaborative and inclusive culture we’ve fostered at ClearPoint. Our values are the essence of what we stand for and underpin our way of working and interactions.

• Respect and Care for People

• Act with Integrity

•. Earn and Nurture Trust

Our diverse team enables us to better understand and serve our clients, attract the best talent and innovate successfully. So, from the moment you step through our doors, you’ll feel welcome and supported to do the best work you can.

Our head office in Auckland is a modern, functional space overlooking the Viaduct, and just a 5 minute walk from Britomart’s central transport hub. We’ve also got access to co-working spaces across New Zealand and Australia, to cater to some of our team and clients in different regions.

The role

As the Practice Director - Microsoft Engineering at ClearPoint, you will hold overall accountability for our Microsoft engineering practice. This is a key leadership role focused on driving sustainable growth, fostering exceptional talent, championing our Microsoft Solution Partner status, and delivering outstanding outcomes for our clients, leveraging Microsoft technologies. You will be a recognised thought leader within the Microsoft ecosystem, setting the technical direction for Microsoft software engineering and the associated Azure ecosystem within ClearPoint. Reporting to the Chief Practice Officer, you will shape the practice strategy, lead a team of talented professionals, and contribute significantly to business development and client success.

The experience we’re looking for:

• Proven Leadership & Microsoft Expertise: Extensive experience in a senior leadership role focused on Microsoft technologies, including people management, strategy, and planning within a professional services or consulting environment.

• Microsoft Thought Leadership: Recognised presence and influence within the Microsoft ecosystem (Software Engineering, Azure). Demonstrated ability to articulate vision and strategy around Microsoft solutions.

• Deep Technical Acumen: Strong expertise in Microsoft software engineering technologies, modern cloud architecture’s across multiple clouds (including PaaS, IaaS, serverless), cloud-native design principles, microservices, APIs, and modern development practices (CI/CD, DevOps).

• AI Innovation & Strategy: Demonstrated interest and ability to explore and integrate AI into Microsoft software engineering practices to drive innovation, enhance service offerings, and deliver superior client outcomes.

• Partner & Business Development: Proven experience in pre-sales for complex digital engineering offerings, building strong client relationships, driving new business related to the Microsoft practice, and experience managing or contributing to a Microsoft partner relationship.

• Delivery & Operational Excellence: Track record in enabling high-performance software delivery teams, and familiarity with modern methodologies (Agile, SCRUM, etc.) and frameworks (e.g., DORA).

• Commercial Acumen: Solid understanding of professional services dynamics (utilisation, rates, margins) and experience managing practice-level performance.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent communication, relationship-building, and mentoring skills. Ability to thrive in a collaborative, matrixed environment and align with ClearPoint's values.

What you'll be doing:

• Practice Strategy & Growth: Define and execute the strategy for the Microsoft Engineering practice, aligning with ClearPoint objectives, achieving OKRs, and driving sustainable growth. Establish technical approaches, best practices, and processes for the practice.

• Thought Leadership & Partner Champion: Act as ClearPoint's leading voice for Microsoft technologies internally and externally. Drive our Microsoft Solution Partner relationship, focusing on advancing our specialisations.

• Talent Leadership & Development: Attract, retain, and develop top Microsoft talent (permanent and contract). Lead, mentor, and manage the professional development and utilisation of your team.

• Technical Direction & Business Development: Provide technical leadership on key client accounts (acting as Technical Director where assigned), support pre-sales efforts, build client stakeholder relationships, and actively contribute to winning new business.

• Hands-on Contribution & Oversight: Maintain a level of billable activity through consulting, technical oversight, and strategic input on relevant Microsoft-centric engagements across ClearPoint.

What’s on offer?

Work on complex, interesting, award-winning and market-leading projects. There’s plenty of variety in the role, giving you the opportunity to carve your own path within ClearPoint.

We offer competitive remuneration with a range of staff perks and benefits. These include health insurance and subsidised gym memberships as well as access to Regular Wellbeing Workshops, Team Fitness sessions, a dog- and kid-friendly head office, drinks and snacks, barista coffee, and lots of other opportunities.

At ClearPoint we support flexible or remote working arrangements where appropriate that enable you to balance your work, life and passions. We have a number of ways to help us all stay connected, regardless of where you’re working from - Slack and Google Meet are key!

What you’ll be working with (tech, tools and more!)

We have a BYOD policy at ClearPoint to allow you to utilise whatever tech takes your fancy. For our permanent staff, we provide a yearly BYOD allowance and phone allowance, so you can choose the tech that best suits your needs.

All our permanent staff get an annual training and professional development budget for books, courses and conferences, with specific opportunities related to our Microsoft partnership. You’ll have access to extensive Microsoft partner resources, training platforms, and early insights. Furthermore, ClearPoint is actively driving AI adoption for our clients and leveraging it to boost our internal efficiencies. We provide the technology and support to empower our people to use AI tools, helping you achieve your best work every day. We also offer a range of lunch and learn sessions; engineering festivals and tech community meet ups to foster networking and sharing of knowledge.

What’s next?

Sound like the opportunity you’ve been looking for? Please apply and one of our Talent Partners will be in touch for a confidential chat and to share more information! You must be eligible to work in New Zealand or Australia to be successful in this application.