Director, Strategic Account Technology Strategist

We are looking for a Director, Strategic Account Technology Strategist to cover a global grocery retailer in North America based near their US headquarters, preferably in Salisbury, MA, Charlotte, NC or alternatively Quincy-Boston, or Chicago, IL. 

The Director, Strategic Account Technology Strategist acts as the Chief Technology Officer, trusted advisor to the client, providing clear technology guidance and leading the integration of Microsoft solutions into customer businesses. This role partners directly with senior decision-makers, including CxOs, to identify opportunities, drive demand generation, and champion digital transformation initiatives. By synthesizing business insights, the strategist orchestrates global teams and resources to deliver alternative solutions aligned with customer needs and Microsoft priorities. Responsibilities include formulating and executing technology strategies, developing technical roadmaps, mapping business scenarios to Microsoft platforms, and ensuring best practices in account planning. The role also involves coaching peers, enabling customer technical specialists, and delivering regular briefings to decision-makers, with a strong focus on building enduring customer partnerships and achieving strategic objectives.

Works closely with the Global Account Executive and Global Technology Strategist based in the Netherlands and the US Retail downstream team to match Global Customer Strategy to the US Customer Strategy.

We would love to hear from you if you: 

• Have the creativity to open doors and challenge internal processes to maximize value for the customer.

• Can see the ‘big picture,’ and can comfortably engage the C-Suite – beyond just IT- on their business goals, and interpret these into capabilities and outcomes with technology peers
• Have experience of working with a globally distributed customer and colleague base, with an engagement style that seeks to understand and embrace geographical and cultural differences 

• Are a leader, set out the direction, open a conversation, address any challenge with open mind, challenge the status quo as long as it benefits customers strategy and goal
• Feel comfortable playing the chameleon, address conflicts and manage direct feedback.

• Have a belief in the need of being the Frontrunner in AI
• Can think creatively on how technology trends can translate into superpowers for orgs
• Can articulate complex problems and solutions in a clear and logical manner, visualize in customer language the why, the what and the how.
• Can apply business acumen, understanding of business needs & competition to develop business opportunities
• Can apply technology to drive sales outcomes, recognize customer needs, qualify opportunities, identify how Microsoft solutions can enable business capabilities that drive growth and innovation, while staying abreast of emerging technology trends.

• Have an understanding of our products and services, as well as the ability to effectively communicate their technical aspects to both technical and non-technical decision-makers

• Can work with multiple teams and lead and orchestrate ideation into opportunities.
• Advocate growth mindset, turning challenges into opportunities

Customer and Industry Insights

• Applies deep expertise and thought leadership to identify and inform the development of the right Industry Sales Kits and industry partners within the customer's vertical industry. Articulates and understands specific industry-related market trends, as well as customer threats, opportunities, and barriers to growth as they relate to the customer's broader industry. Leverages industry trends from other industries to gather insights and develop an informed perspective on similar issues that may occur within their industry/industries. Applies industry knowledge to support customers in solving issues.
• Synthesizes and combines various business and industry insights from their team, global best practices, proof points from experience/case studies with countries and/or regions, and deep industry expertise (e.g., level 200) related to customers and their competitors to conduct forecasting and develop recommendations for managing accounts and subsidiary planning. Ensures that all levels of the organization challenge customers to consider alternatives and adapt strategies, plans, business models, and solutions to insights. Orchestrates cross-regional teams to gather information, collaborate on performance markers, and identify potential risks in customer accounts. Oversees technical teams for driving opportunities with others, as necessary. Brings in business and industry insights to address the broader business challenges for the customer and deliver