Do you have creativity to burn? Always on the leading edge of technology? Have passion for helping others be great and contributing to an amazing team environment? The North America Small, Medium, and Corporate Sales team in the Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions commercial (MCAPS) business is looking for a seasoned communicator with fresh ideas and thinking to lead our Executive, Employee, and External communications efforts for a rapidly growing team.

As a Director of Communications, you will report to the Chief of Staff. This is a strategic role that provides a tremendous opportunity for business impact across a large, multi-area organization and engaging with leaders across the business to drive alignment towards our vision. This role requires a breadth of communication experience and the ability to work quickly with agility across a variety of projects and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Communication Strategy Setting and Planning

• Guides leadership team to enhance thought leadership that strengthens Microsoft's position as a trusted partner. Mentors others in the execution of tactics to support overall strategy, ensuring consistency of voice across messages and channels globally. Participates in business planning discussions and change management efforts. Translates value proposition into effective communications strategies and storytelling that resonates with target audience(s). Embeds diversity and inclusion (D&I) throughout strategy and execution.

Storytelling and Messaging

• Leads teams to develop and drive stories in fresh ways that generate positive perceptions towards Microsoft with customers and partners. Leverages expertise to determine what format is most appropriate and meaningful for a story and target audience(s). Ensures cadence of storytelling (e.g., duration, evolution), including content development and curation to land a story.

Execution of Communication Strategy

• Create and align CVP communications plans to North America SMC RoB and broader communications. Ensures content is consistent across the channels with which Microsoft is connected to a given audience. Ensures appropriateness of formats (e.g., Webinars, podcasts, posts, core materials for field) for one-to-one (1:1) and one-to-many (1:many) engagements.
• Leads the development of frameworks and commensurate collateral. Tests effectiveness of messaging. Understands and advises others including the SMC leadership team on available channels, which channels to leverage, and what to advocate for in terms of messaging. Understands standardized tools and templates available and guides team to use them appropriately.

• Stakeholder Management
• Manages stakeholder sets and virtual teams to identify needed content and develop content to support education, guidance, and advice to internal stakeholders, customers, and partners on communications strategy and tactics. Ensures alignment on strategic intent as foundation for execution of tactics. Ensures rhythm of business (e.g., cadence, intent, content to keep stakeholders informed and up to date) is established. Manages escalations appropriately. Recognizes and takes action to be broadly inclusive of perspectives and styles in a manner that suits stakeholders.

Customer and Partner Storytelling

• Manages customer and partner engagement materials for the CVP. Works with subject matter experts to design and create external presentations. Partner deeply with the NA SMC Customer & Partner Engagement lead to ensure alignment of pitch decks, walking decks, etc. with engagement requirements/context and customer prep documents.

Member of North America SMC Chief of Staff Leadership Team

• Be active member of the NA SMC Chief of Staff Leadership Team, helping drive the overall business priority, clarity and effectiveness, with its nearly 1k employees aligned to serve our customers on a daily basis.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience.
  • OR 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.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• 12+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience
• OR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Business Administration, 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.

The salary for this role in the state of Colorado is between $148,000 and $222,000

At Microsoft, certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including annual bonus and stock. These awards are allocated based on individual performance. In addition, certain roles also have the opportunity to earn sales incentives based on revenue or utilization, depending on the terms of the plan and the employee’s role.

Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.US-based employees gain access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, and fitness benefits, among others.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.