Position TitleLead Technical ArchitectFunction/GroupDigital & TechnologyLocationMumbai, IndiaShift TimingRegular / 2nd shiftRole Reports toManager, Microsoft 365Remote/Hybrid/in-OfficeHybrid
About General Mills
We make food the world loves: 100 brands. In 100 countries. Across six continents.
With iconic brands like Cheerios, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Nature Valley, and Häagen-Dazs, we’ve been serving up food the world loves for 155 years (and counting). Each of our brands has a unique story to tell.How we make our food is as important as the food we make. Our values are baked into our legacy and continue to accelerateus into the future as an innovative force for good. General Mills was founded in 1866 when Cadwallader Washburn boldly bought the largest flour mill west of the Mississippi. That pioneering spirit lives on today through our leadership team who upholds a vision of relentless innovation while being a force for good. For more details check out http://www.generalmills.comGeneral Mills India Center (GIC) is our global capability center in Mumbai that works as an extension of our global organization delivering business value, service excellence and growth, while standing for good for our planet and people.With our team of 1800+ professionals, we deliver superior value across the areas of Supply chain (SC) , Digital & Technology (D&T) Innovation, Technology & Quality (ITQ), Consumer and Market Intelligence (CMI), Sales Strategy & Intelligence (SSI) , Global Shared Services (GSS) , Finance Shared Services (FSS) and Human Resources Shared Services (HRSS).For more details check out https://www.generalmills.co.inWe advocate for advancing equity and inclusion to create more equitable workplaces and a better tomorrow.
Job Overview
Microsoft 365 Lead Architect
General Mills India Centre
Function Overview
The Digital and Technology team at General Mills stands as the largest and foremost unit, dedicated to exploring the latest trends and innovations in technology while leading the adoption of cutting-edge technologies across the organization. Collaborating closely with global business teams, the focus is on understanding business models and identifying opportunities to leverage technology for increased efficiency and disruption. The team's expertise spans a wide range of areas, including AI/ML, Data Science, IoT, NLP, Cloud, Infrastructure, RPA and Automation, Digital Transformation, Cyber Security, Blockchain, SAP S4 HANA and Enterprise Architecture. The MillsWorks initiative embodies an agile@scale delivery model, where business and technology teams operate cohesively in pods with a unified mission to deliver value for the company. Employees working on significant technology projects are recognized as Digital Transformation change agents.The team places a strong emphasis on service partnerships and employee engagement with a commitment to advancing equity and supporting communities. In fostering an inclusive culture, the team values individuals passionate about learning and growing with technology, exemplified by the "Work with Heart" philosophy, emphasizing results over facetime. Those intrigued by the prospect of contributing to the digital transformation journey of a Fortune 500 company are encouraged to explore more details about the function through a provided Link.
Purpose of the Role
The Microsoft 365 Lead Architect will own the operational leadership of Microsoft 365 services across the global organization, serving as the primary escalation point and strategic driver for the collaboration platform ecosystem including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, and the broader Microsoft 365 suite.This role focuses on strategic technical leadership at the operational level. The successful candidate will partner with a team of technical specialists to execute the M365 vision, drive adoption, architect solutions, and serve as the primary escalation point for complex technical challenges. In partnership with senior technology leadership, the Lead Architect will ensure M365 services align with enterprise architecture standards and business objectives.Working in consultation with key business stakeholders globally, the Lead Architect will:
- Serve as the champion and primary escalation point for Digital Workplace productivity tools in a transformational and geographically diverse corporate environment. Drive adoption of Office 365 tools, integration with Teams & SharePoint, and custom solutions aligned with business objectives.
- Function as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders and project teams. Develop tactical roadmaps, define best practices, evaluate emerging trends, and recommend applications to business challenges in alignment with enterprise technology strategy.
- Provide architectural oversight and governance for M365 implementations within Azure Cloud platform, Security and Compliance frameworks, while partnering with technical specialists for detailed implementation.
- Serve as the operational authority for M365 technologies, collaborating with enterprise architecture teams on cross-platform integration and ensuring alignment with overall technology standards.
- Interface with multiple teams including Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Legal, and Records to deliver cutting-edge productivity platform solutions for end-users.
- Demonstrate strong business acumen to analyze business objectives and strategies, then plan and implement IT solutions accordingly. The candidate must possess excellent customer service orientation, ability to articulate policies and procedures confidently, attention to strategic detail, exceptional communication and presentation skills, capability to work under tight timelines, and willingness to challenge assumptions with courage and data.
The Digital and Technology team of General Mills India Centre is seeking a passionate and strategic individual to contribute to the Global Digital Transformation initiative in the capacity of Lead Technical Architect. The individual will be a highly motivated strategic thinker and skilled collaborator capable of influencing senior stakeholders in transforming Microsoft O365 processes, governance, and adoption.
Collaboration & Partnership
This role operates with significant autonomy within the M365 domain while maintaining collaborative partnerships across the organization:
Areas Of Full Ownership
- Day-to-day M365 operational execution and delivery
- M365-specific tactical architecture decisions
- Team leadership and primary escalation point
- Implementation project oversight and stakeholder management
- Adoption strategy and business value measurement
Collaborative Partnership Areas
- Enterprise-wide technology strategy and roadmap
- Cross-platform integration decisions
- Enterprise architecture alignment
- Strategic vendor relationships
- Long-term platform direction
The Lead Architect is empowered to make decisions and drive results within the M365 domain, while working collaboratively with senior technology leadership on enterprise-level strategy and cross-platform considerations.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Governance (50%)
- Own the operational execution of Microsoft 365 strategy and roadmap, translating enterprise objectives into tactical implementation plans.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for complex technical issues, providing highest-level resolution guidance and coordinating with technical specialists.
- Drive adoption initiatives and serve as the champion for Digital Workplace productivity tools across the geographically diverse organization.
- Function as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders and project teams, collaborating with senior technology leadership on enterprise-level strategy and cross-platform integration decisions.
- Present project status, technical recommendations, and implementation plans to senior management with clarity and confidence
- Drive strategic vendor relationships and partnerships to ensure optimal service delivery and innovation adoption.
- Coach and mentor team members, influencing senior stakeholders, managing competing priorities, and facilitating conflict resolution.
Architecture & Technical Direction (35%)
- Provide architectural oversight for Microsoft 365 implementations, ensuring solutions align with enterprise architecture standards.
- Make architectural decisions for M365 services, partnering with enterprise architecture teams on cross-platform integration or enterprise-impacting decisions.
- Contribute to roadmap development, providing operational insights and technical feasibility assessments.
- Evaluate and recommend strategic solutions leveraging Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint Online, Power Platform, and related services.
- Architect and evaluate blueprints for Microsoft 365 workloads, providing strategic direction to implementation teams.
- Oversee the planning of technical designs, RACI frameworks, and solution architectures based on business requirements.
- Guide work streams on transformational programs, ensuring conformance to agreed design standards, methods, and tools.
- Participate in compliance and security reviews, partnering with internal teams to ensure security, reliability, and scalability.
Business Partnership & Program Oversight (15%)
- Partner with business stakeholders to understand objectives and translate them into technology solutions and strategic initiatives.
- Lead discussions with business and stakeholders that inform decisions regarding third-party tools and Microsoft product investments.
- Identify process improvement and automation opportunities through strategic requirement gathering from stakeholders.
- Provide strategic oversight for M365-related projects, ensuring alignment with roadmap and architectural standards
- Oversee planning for Office 365 merger, acquisition, divestiture, and integration scenarios.
- Manage time, priorities, and deliverables in an agile methodology environment, ensuring documentation and compliance requirements are met.
Key Accountabilities
- Strategic Vision & Execution: Execute and contribute to the technology roadmap for Microsoft 365 services, keeping abreast of developments within the IT industry and helping the organization align with defined or emerging standards.
- Technical Leadership & Escalation: Provide the highest level of technical escalation support, investigate and resolve complex user issues, and guide technical teams toward optimal solutions.
- Architecture Governance: Ensure architectural decisions support business objectives while maintaining security, compliance, and scalability standards across Identity Management (Azure AD/Entra ID), Security and Compliance (Purview, DLP, ATP), and hybrid configurations.
- Stakeholder Management: Build trust-based relationships and collaboration with global teams, business partners, and customers. Present compelling technical recommendations to diverse audiences.
- Team Development: Mentor and coach the technical team through community-led collaboration. Encourage continuous knowledge expansion and professional growth. Leverage appropriate learning opportunities for technical and professional development.
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Maintain the aptitude to innovate—to integrate new and better technologies and methods into our solutions. Employ analytical, methodical, and logical approaches to problem solving with innovative thinking applied to business and technical challenges.
- Accountability & Excellence: Hold self and others accountable for delivering results with excellence. Communicate with impact, presenting information and ideas in thoughtful and compelling manner.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Certification
- Full-time graduation from an accredited university in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field
- Professional certifications in Azure and/or Office 365 preferred and will be supported by the organization.
Experience Requirements
- 10-15 years of progressive experience in enterprise IT with increasing responsibility in technical leadership roles.
- Proven track record leading Microsoft 365 or comparable cloud collaboration platform initiatives in large, complex organizations.
- Demonstrated expertise in 2-3 core Microsoft 365 workloads (e.g., Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams) with working knowledge of the broader ecosystem.
- Experience architecting solutions for enterprise-scale implementations, including consideration of hybrid configurations, identity and access management, security, and compliance requirements.
- Stakeholder management experience working with senior business leaders and technical teams across global organizations.
- Strong relationship management skills with ability to partner effectively with vendors, executive leadership, and technical teams.
Technical Knowledge
Required
The successful candidate should possess strategic understanding and architectural experience across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Deep technical expertise in all listed technologies is not required; however, candidates should have:
- Strong depth in 2-3 Microsoft 365 workloads sufficient to provide architectural guidance and serve as escalation point.
- Strategic understanding of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and how services integrate to deliver business value.
- Working knowledge of cloud architecture patterns, security frameworks, and compliance requirements.
- Familiarity with automation capabilities (PowerShell, Power Platform) and willingness to learn and expand technical knowledge.
- Understanding of Identity Management solutions (Azure AD/Entra ID) and directory synchronization concepts.
- Ability to evaluate technical solutions and guide specialized team members toward optimal implementations.
Core Competencies
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to grasp the big picture, conceptualize solutions, and partner closely with leaders and stakeholders.
- Communication Excellence: Exceptional presentation delivery to both large and small audiences with ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Business Acumen: Strong understanding of how technology drives business value and ability to translate business objectives into technical solutions.
- Leadership & Influence: Proven interpersonal skills, ability to influence without direct authority, and track record of driving results through collaboration.
- Problem Solving: Analytical and methodical approach to complex challenges with innovative thinking and courage to challenge assumptions.
- Agile Mindset: Experience working in agile methodology environments with comfort in ambiguity and rapidly changing priorities
- Continuous Learning: Passion for technology and commitment to staying current with industry trends and emerging solutions
- Ambitious Self-Direction: Individual who can work under their own direction towards agreed targets and goals with a creative approach to work
Preferred Qualifications
The following qualifications are highly valued but not mandatory. Candidates demonstrating core qualifications and strategic leadership capability are encouraged to apply:
- 15+ years of experience in Microsoft collaboration platforms
- Hands-on experience with merger, acquisition, and divestiture technology integration projects
- Advanced proficiency in PowerShell scripting for automation, reporting, and configuration
- Deep expertise in Microsoft Purview, DLP, ATP, and other security/compliance tools
- Experience with Microsoft Power Platform strategy and governance
- Understanding of Microsoft Graph API for integration and automation scenarios
- Experience managing Microsoft 365 licensing optimization and governance
- Proven track record presenting to C-level executives and influencing technology strategy decisions
- Exchange hybrid and SharePoint Online storage management experience
- Working experience with global teams across multiple time zones, particularly US business partners
Technology Environment
While deep expertise in all listed technologies is not expected, familiarity with the following ecosystem is important:
Core Platform
- Microsoft Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive for Business
- Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) for identity and access management
- Microsoft 365 Apps deployment and management
Security & Compliance
- Microsoft Purview (Compliance, Data Governance, Information Protection)
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP), retention policies, and compliance reporting
- Advanced Threat Protection (ATP): anti-phishing, anti-spoofing, anti-spam, Safe Attachments, Safe Links, anti-malware
- Secure data within O365, collaboration workloads, and B2B sharing for external users
- Security reporting including Windows Analytics, Office Telemetry, Office 365 Secure Score, Azure Log Analytics integration
Integration & Automation
- Hybrid deployments integrating on-premises infrastructure with Microsoft 365 services (Exchange hybrid, SharePoint hybrid, Azure AD Connect)
- PowerShell scripting for automation and reporting
- Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI)
- Microsoft Graph API and related APIs for system integration
Management & Governance
- Microsoft 365 license management and optimization
- Autopilot for device deployment
- Monitoring, analytics, and security reporting tools
- Identity Management (ADFS, Azure, Other) and Directory Sync supporting O365 workloads
- Information holds, data governance reports and dashboards, inactive mailbox management
