Partner Account Management

Do you have a vision for how Microsoft platforms can come together at retail to create an amazing customer experience? Do you have a passion for retail? Are you a strong planner and collaborator? Do you have incredible attention to detail and excellent communication skills? Will you do what it takes to get the job done with our top retail partners in great partnership with Sales, Merchandising, and Category Marketing? Are you ready to be a key contributor to the race to drive revenue, profit, and customer satisfaction for Microsoft Surface products at Major retailer across North America?

This position drives evangelism with our partners for the Microsoft Surface Devices and Accessories by developing business strategies, implementing and measuring retailer specific promotions, and co-developing marketing plans in partnership with Major Retailer in the US and Canada. This position will also be a key stakeholder in reimagining go to market motions with the partner that drive share growth for Surface as a percent of the all-up computing market. This individual will collaborate across product lines to drive synergistic strategies that include PC Gaming and productivity with Microsoft 365.

You will succeed by understanding the consumer, the account-specific business drivers, our partners, and competitive trends for respective products. You will have the opportunity to create and execute best-in-class programs and promotions that maximize the retailer’s core competencies while driving growth for Microsoft products.

**Responsibilities**:

- Drive sales of Surface Devices and Accessories by effectively building an assortment strategy, managing retail marketing activities (advertisements, product placement, etc.), collaborating with internal category and product development partners, and developing partner relationships.
- Understanding the consumer and marketplace dynamics impacting the computing categories.
- Developing launch plans for Major Retailer based on collaboration with category managers and account teams. Plans will encompass the MS and partner goals and expectations (from launch to phase out or end of life), be differentiated by account and ensure in-store brand ownership, category assortment, promotions, merchandising, etc.
- Understanding the levers for driving share and units volumes at the account level (e.g. on price, shelf presence, display, features, promotions, convenience, etc.)
- Working closely with internal groups and partners to develop brand level long-lead forecasts, merchandising and display strategies, and driving quarterly Account Business Reviews and regular partner disclosures.

**Qualifications**:
Required/Minimum Qualifications
- 8+ years partner management, sales, business development, platform ecosystem/network, or partner channel development in the technology industry OR Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Engineering or related field AND 5+ year(s) partner management, sales, business development, platform ecosystem/network, or partner channel development in the technology industry or equivalent experience.
- 1+ year(s) experience with planning, budgeting, and other project management activities.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications
- Proficient project management skills.
- Experience developing and leading projects start to finish across many groups.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and ensure clarity.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient collaboration skills - ability to effectively influence others in multiple groups and collaborate to achieve specific goals.
- Proven analytical experience with sales, trend analysis, forecasting market and market share, assortment development to help drive accurate sell through forecasts
- Proven track record of developing Joint Business Plans and Strategies for new business development and product launches
- Creative thought leadership to continue evolving the business to meet the needs of our partners and end customers
- Requires an individual with broad skill-set encompassing excellent sales & relationship management capabilities.
- Must be able to communicate and manage at all levels
- Other competencies include: Drive for Results, Problem Solving, Planning, Organizing and Coordinating, Decision Making, Creativity, Communication Skills, Negotiation and Conflict Management, Customer Focus, Representing Microsoft and Cross Group Collaboration
- While infrequent, this role will require some degree of travel