OverviewJob Title:

Microsoft Cyber Defence Architect

Location:

London

Salary:

Competitive Salary depending on experience

Career Level:

Manager

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. With our thought leadership and culture of innovation, we apply industry expertise, diverse skill sets and next-generation technology to each business challenge.

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Julie Sweet, Accenture CEO

The

Accenture Microsoft Business Group (AMBG)

is a global team of 80,000+ professionals, recognised 19 times as Microsoft Global SI Partner of the Year. We’re leaders in AI and Business Applications, helping clients achieve end-to-end transformation—from strategy to delivery and managed services.

As a Cyber Defence Architect within AMBG, you will lead the design and delivery of advanced cyber defence solutions across Microsoft 365, Azure, and hybrid environments. You will be instrumental in helping clients secure their digital estates using Microsoft’s Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Security Copilot, and automation capabilities, while also shaping managed security services (MSS) offerings.

This is a client-facing, delivery-focused role with opportunities to contribute to pre-sales, solution shaping, and thought leadership across Accenture engagements.

Role ResponsibilitiesDelivery Leadership (approx. 80%)

Architect and implement Microsoft Defender XDR solutions across endpoints, identities, email, cloud apps, and networks.

Design and deploy Security Copilot for both embedded and standalone use cases, enabling AI-powered incident response, threat hunting, and summarisation.

Integrate SIEM and SOAR capabilities using Microsoft Sentinel and Logic Apps to automate detection, response, and reporting workflows.

Lead MSS engagements, including Managed XDR, Managed SIEM, and Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) using Defender for Cloud and Purview.

Develop automation playbooks for reverse engineering scripts, malware analysis, and alert triage using Security Copilot plug-ins and skills.

Apply MITRE ATTandCK framework to improve detection logic, threat modelling, and incident response strategies.

Collaborate with AMBG industry leads to tailor cyber defence strategies for Financial Services, Health, Retail, and Public Sector clients.

Support pre-sales and solution shaping, including workshops, assessments, and roadmap development.

Mentor junior architects and consultants, and contribute to AMBG capability building and innovation.

Support client workshops and steer solution evolution during delivery.

Pre-sales and Solutioning (approx. 20%)

Contribute to shaping opportunities and technical solutioning for pursuits;

Support RFx responses with architecture inputs and delivery approach;

Develop reusable assets and share best practices across the team.

QualificationWe are looking for experience in the following:

Technical Skills:

Microsoft Defender Suite: Defender for Endpoint, Identity, Office 365, Cloud Apps, and Defender XDR

Microsoft Sentinel: SIEM, SOAR, KQL, custom analytics, and automation

Security Copilot: Embedded and standalone experiences, plug-in integration, incident summarisation, and threat intelligence enrichment

Microsoft Purview: Data classification, DLP, Insider Risk Management, and governance

Microsoft Entra ID: Conditional Access, Identity Governance, and secure onboarding

Microsoft Intune: Endpoint protection and policy enforcement

Azure Logic Apps and Power Platform: Automation and orchestration

Cloud-native security tooling: CNAPP, CSPM, workload protection

Manager-Level Skills (Cyber Defence Architecture Lens):

Experience leading XDR migration programmes

Hands-on experience with managed security services and automation frameworks

Strong understanding of Managed Security Services across Microsoft and non-Microsoft security tooling.

Stakeholder management and ability to influence senior client decision-makers;

Competence in estimating, shaping SoWs, and managing RAIDs for large-scale Cyber Defence programmes.

Certifications and Experience:

Microsoft Certifications: SC-100 (Cybersecurity Architect), SC-200 (Security Operations Analyst), SC-400 (Information Protection)

Industry Certifications: CISSP, CISM, CCSP, SANS GIAC

Experience in delivering complex Microsoft Sentinel migrations and Security Copilot projects.

Experience in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare, government)

Familiarity with Microsoft Fabric, Copilot, and third-party AI integrations

What’s in it for youAt Accenture in addition to a competitive basic salary, you will also have an extensive benefits package.

Flexibility and mobility are required to deliver this role as there will be requirements to spend time onsite with our clients and partners to enable delivery of the first-class services, we are known for.

Closing Date for Applications

31/01/2026

Accenture reserves the right to close the role before this date should a suitable applicant be found.

Locations

London

Birmingham

Edinburgh

Leeds

Manchester

Additional InformationEqual Employment Opportunity Statement

All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

Job candidates will not be obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest as part of the hiring process.

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About AccentureWe work with one shared purpose: to deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity. Every day, more than 775,000 of us help our stakeholders continuously reinvent. Together, we drive positive change and deliver value to our clients, partners, shareholders, communities, and each other.

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