Audio Visual Solutions Architect

Position Overview  

Microserve is seeking an Audio-Visual Solutions Architect responsible for AV pre-sales tasks, including presentations, webinars, and AV solution design for clients ranging from small businesses with a handful of meeting spaces to enterprises with hundreds of rooms. This position can be performed remotely within Canada (but preferably near one of our offices in Burnaby, Calgary, Edmonton, or Victoria) and will report to the AV Services Director. The role involves working closely with the AV design and services operations teams and collaborating extensively with our Sales teams on a day-to-day basis. 

Working with the Audio-Visual and Sales teams at Microserve, you will handle incoming presales requests from initial customer meetings to understand client objectives and needs related primarily to boardroom AV technology built on MS Teams Rooms. This may also include complex integrated rooms or other AV-related solutions such as digital signage, video walls, or auditoriums. You will collect client requirements, ask relevant questions to fully comprehend their needs, and assist them in envisioning what a new solution could entail. You will collaborate with the AV design team to establish solution budgets and estimates in the form of statements of work, which will be presented to clients. The AV presales architect will then oversee clients through project budgeting and actively participate in the process until implementation is completed. 

As Audio Visual Solutions Architect, you will combine your technical aptitude for developing end user focused audio-visual and collaboration technology experiences with strong internal and client-facing communications ability. Your well-rounded knowledge of the latest meeting room AV technologies and an excellent understanding of commissioning processes are considered an asset. 

Key Areas of Accountability: 

• Work closely with Microserve sales account executives to identify, propose, and implement best-fit technical solutions to support client needs 

• Work even closer with our design team to design AV solutions that meet all customer needs using latest technologies from leading manufacturers and translate these solutions back to the client 

• Engage clients directly and confidently to understand their specific environments and business requirements, providing clear guidance as a trusted advisor to their IT and AV teams  

• Provide expert advice to clients on AV technologies that can best support business objectives 

• Engage in formal planning, requirements gathering and budgeting for clients  

• Have a broad understanding of unified communications technology and a deep understanding of Microserve’s overall solution portfolio. You combine your knowledge of IT, unified communications and AV technology to maximize the value of solutions for our clients by effectively translating how our solutions can be leveraged to achieve strategic business goals. 

• Develop innovative solutions and research technologies on behalf of client organizations and their individual needs, including documenting and presenting business cases to achieve buy in 

• Constant focus on continuous improvement and proactively bringing ideas for new technologies to our clients to jointly explore potential opportunities to improve; presenting business case(s) for implementation to Microserve and client leadership, as and when required. 

• Continual training and certification; in this role, Microserve will help you stay up to date with relevant AV and UCC certifications related to our partner competencies with vendors such as Microsoft, Logitech, HPI/Poly, Neat, and others. 

• Partner with the Sales Team and AV Design team to develop accurate solution designs and statements of work that align to client requirements 

• Assist the AV Design team to create line drawings and elevations when required 

• Maintain a solid understanding of construction methods and installation techniques for a variety of AV Products 

Requirements: 

• 5+ Years Audio-Visual Technology experience; ideally working on a number of different organizations Teams meeting room technologies 

• 5+ Years of hands-on Information Technology experience broader than AV 

• Proven experience in roles that involved technical presales; either within an OEM, reseller, or IT service provider. 

• Demonstrated AV presales, design, and implementation experience and a passion for unified communications and collaboration technologies  

• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Teams Rooms; from design to deployment; including a recent MS Teams Rooms Technical Professional Badge 

• Strong written and oral communication skills. 

• In depth knowledge of AV manufacturers such as Logitech, HPI / Poly, Lenovo, Neat, QSC, Shure, Biamp, Crestron, Extron 

• Clear understanding of AV and Unified Communications best practices and design 

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with and formally present to individuals at all levels of the organization, including translating technically complex information to varying technical audiences. 

• Understanding of Avixa standards in installation, rack building and commissioning. 

• Ability to interpret and understand Construction CAD Drawings. 

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with and formally present to individuals at all levels of the organization, including translating technically complex information to varying technical audiences. 

• Demonstrated capacity for forming and advancing relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. 

• Experienced innovative thinker with proven results in a fast-paced environment. 

• Intellectual curiosity and passion for technology to stay current and informed on industry trends. 

• Strong resourcefulness, problem solving and project management skills. 

• Successful completion of a Criminal Background check 

Desirables 

• Post-Secondary Certificate or Degree in an IT related field as well as up to date certifications such as Microsoft Teams Administrator Associate (MS-700) 

• Experience in consulting to implement elements of Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace technologies (E.g., MS Teams, Teams Voice); strong ability to provide guidance on best practices and design of solutions 

• Solid knowledge & understanding of control & audio & video systems design: Crestron, Extron QSC, Polycom, Cisco, Microsoft Teams 

• AV design experience is considered an asset 

• Any industry related courses, or experience is an asset 

• Avixa CTS, CTS-I, CTS-D, or any other manufacturer certification would be considered an asset 

• Knowledge or experience with the following would be considered an asset: 

• Audio (DSP, DANTE, AVB, wireless microphones), control, video (DM, XTP, Streaming), video conferencing (Polycom, Cisco, SFB) 

• In-room scheduling solutions 

• Video walls 

• Digital signage 

What do you get?  

• Time-off policies that promote work/life balance  

• Paid time off  

• Extended Medical and Dental plan from day one  

• Amazing employee discounts with over 100+ companies (for example: cell phone plans, computer equipment, insurance, groceries, etc.)  

• Fun Wellness & Engagement Activities – Such as chocolate making, exit rooms, staff holiday parties, to name a few  

• Community Involvement – We care about giving back to our communities and plan for volunteering events at least once per quarter  

• Career advancement opportunities   

• Hybrid working environment for specific roles  

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities  

• Professional development & Training reimbursement support   

• Dog friendly offices  

Compensation: In accordance with the BC Pay Transparency Act the range for this role for BC residents is $100,000 - $140,000 annually. Please note the exact salary is determined based on a combination of your relevant experience, skill, competencies, geographical location and internal pay equity. If you feel like this role is your dream job and have questions about compensation and benefits, please get in touch with us as we are always happy to discuss further. At Microserve we believe that compensation conversations should always be ongoing. 

Microserve is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or other legally protected status. If you would like to request an accommodation, please notify the Recruiter. 

Corporate Responsibility 

About Us 

At Microserve, we are an industry leader in providing technology solutions to public and private sector clients across Western Canada. Headquartered in Burnaby, BC, with offices in Victoria, Calgary, and Edmonton, we employ over 450 team members, and are one of the largest technology solutions providers, recognized for our ability to deliver and innovate to meet the changing needs of our clients.