Senior Corporate Counsel, Industry and Partner Solutions

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. 

Microsoft Philanthropies is a global business focused on enabling digital and AI transformation for nonprofits and inter-governmental organizations, skilling at scale to help communities participate in the evolving digital economy, and driving strategic community engagement initiatives to expand opportunities for people around the world.

The Customer & Partner Solutions (CPS) Core team in Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA) is seeking someone in the role of Senior Corporate Counsel, Industry and Partner Solutions who is excited about contributing to Microsoft’s business and social impact around the world. The primary responsibility will be supporting the Microsoft Philanthropies and Tech for Social Impact business group in CELA.

Responsibilities

Legal Advice and Counsel

• Act as the primary legal contact for Microsoft Philanthropies and Tech for Social Impact, anticipating and addressing highly complex legal and business issues, and serving as a key business partner and advisor to senior CELA business executives.
• Work across business, engineering, marketing, and CELA teams to enable complex technology transactions in the nonprofit and inter-governmental organizations sector, and develop strategic programs, initiatives, and industry-specific resources to support sales clients and CELA colleagues.
• Collaborate and advise on strategy to drive meaningful conversations that are grounded in in-depth understanding of Microsoft and Tech for Social Impact programs internally and with external parties.
• Identify and anticipate legal and other risks (e.g., geopolitical, reputational, etc.) relating to Microsoft Philanthropies and Tech for Social Impact business programs, technology, and public policy, and develop creative solutions and alternatives to mitigate future risk.
• Effectively manage relationships and develop partnerships with clients and outside counsel, enabling collaborative engagements to develop strategies and innovative solutions that address business issues and achieve business objectives.
• Draft new and novel business policies and agreements, negotiate a variety of transactional documents (e.g., procurement, joint development or strategic framework agreements), and coordinate with CELA colleagues around the world as needed.
• Monitor business activity to ensure legal compliance policies/standards are followed and mitigate associated risks, advising business clients accordingly.
• Coordinate with CELA colleagues and clients around the world to drive OneCELA and OneMicrosoft approaches to resolving challenges.

Culture

• Model and evangelize inclusive behavior, ensuring that your ideas and the ideas of others are heard.
• Act with empathy in supporting teammates, CELA colleagues, and business clients.
• Embrace a global mindset, respecting similarities and differences in others.
• Bring energy and passion to your work.
• Embody our Culture and Values 

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate Degree or Equivalent International Degree
  • OR Completion of a Legal Apprenticeship.
• Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction.
• 7+ years experience as a practicing attorney
  • OR equivalent practice of law.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• In-house counsel experience.
• Experience with cloud computing, AI, and other cutting-edge technologies and related legal issues.
• Experience supporting technology and sales transactions.
• Negotiation and legal drafting skills.
• Sound judgment that incorporates legal analysis, a pragmatic approach, and consideration of business goals, risk tolerance, and stakeholder priorities.
• Service-oriented and customer obsessed, with a bias for