Director, Partner Communications

The Cloud Communications group is looking for a well-rounded, experienced Communications Director to lead our Partner Public Relations (PR) strategy and manage a team of high-performing individuals charged with executing on that strategy. At Microsoft, telling our story through the lens of partners is key to driving adoption of our solutions and technology offerings, especially those that have Artifical Intelligence (AI) and cloud underpinnings. This team unearths and tells stories through both earned and owned media outlets about how Microsoft’s partners, from Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to Global System Integrators (GSIs), are using our solutions to help customers drive growth and innovation.

In this role, the Director of Partner Communications will assume full responsibility for the day-to-day management of the team (comprising 3 employees) and lead on our strategic initiatives, partner programs, partner announcements and integration into key moments. This candidate will work closely with sales, engineering, Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA), marketing, global communications colleagues, and others to showcase our AI, cloud and cybersecurity offerings that map to the company’s overall priorities. We are looking for a skilled leader and effective communicator who can clearly determine the elements of a good story that will resonate both with members of the media (earned and owned) as well as end-users. This person will have a pronounced left-to-right understanding of the importance of partners to the company’s overall success and have a keen understanding of Microsoft’s position in the deeply competitive landscape around cloud and AI offerings. If you’re passionate and knowledgeable about the forefront of tech innovation – and can turn that knowledge into growing our external narrative around some of the highest priority efforts in the company -- then we want to talk to you.

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.

By applying to this U.S. based position, relocation does not apply/is not provided for the role.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and execution for partner cloud communications, including news beats and proactive storytelling efforts.
• Build and maintain a rhythm of business to support this dynamic team. 
• Collaborate with business partners across sales, marketing, CELA and engineering to develop creative, impactful storytelling efforts which have resonance across international markets and support local/regional/global business objectives.
• Play a lead role in mega-deal announcements with Microsoft’s largest partners.
• Drive a steady cadence of proactive storytelling and thought leadership. This includes thinking outside the box about how we reach influencers in an evolving media landscape.
• Lead and guide external agency resources for media research, engagement, and results measurement.
• Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications  

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or related field AND 6+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 1+ years people management experience. 

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or related field AND 8+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience
  • OR Master's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or related field AND 6+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years people management experience.
• Experience working with partners to provide counsel on storytelling initiatives.
• Experience driving partner program communications.
• Experience managing high profile partnership announcements.
• Experience with publicity agreements and negotia