At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape company strategy and drive impactful partnerships across EMEA.
- Company: Join Microsoft, a leader in technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a pivotal role in a rapidly expanding team focused on strategic alliances.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required; experience in consulting or business development preferred.
- Other info: Multilingual skills, especially in French or German, are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Join Microsoftu2019s International Business Development team to shape company-level strategy, drive high-impact partnerships, and lead strategic investments across EMEA. Your work will help accelerate Microsoftu2019s mission and long-term growth in one of the most dynamic regions globally.
In this role, you will work closely with senior leaders across Engineering, Sales, Finance, Legal, and Business Planning to independently identify, shape, and drive high-impact business opportunities across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). A core focus will be developing and managing complex sovereign cloud partnerships with governments and enterprises in highly regulated sectors.
As a **Senior Business Development Manager** , youu2019ll be part of a dynamic and fast-paced environment where your contributions will directly influence the trajectory of our growth. We\’re looking for a self-driven, customer- and partner-focused professional who thrives in building strategic alliances, leading negotiations, and executing complex deals. If you\’re excited to play a pivotal role in a time of innovation and rapid expansion, weu2019d love to hear from you.
**Responsibilities**
**Partner & Deal Strategy**
Articulates the value of Microsoft solutions through a deep understanding of customer business priorities, industry trends, and growth opportunities to shape customer decisions
Identifies high-priority whitespace opportunities across technologies, products, business domains, and geographies, and drives collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups to shape sourcing and execution strategies.
Drives Microsoftu2019s competitive edge by shaping the product roadmap through collaboration with product, engineering, and industry stakeholders, ensuring solutions are aligned with customer needs and primed for long-term engagement.
Leverages quantitative financial data to guide internal strategy and support data-driven decision-making.
Builds and nurtures a broad strategic network of senior internal and external stakeholders, including business and technical decision makers.
Advises and influences senior executives (e.g., Senior Directors, GMs, CVPs) within target lines of business by communicating strategic insights, opportunities, and risks clearly and credibly.
**Negotiation**
Leads complex deals from opportunity framing to final execution, ensuring alignment at each stage.
Represents Microsoft in executive-level partner and customer negotiation
Recommends deal structures and articulates deal terms
Identifies negotiation scenarios and manages executive escalations.
Manages stakeholders to gain consensus and ensure internal alignment.
**Deal Management/Governance**
Collaborates with customers, partners, and across Microsoft to develop post-deal governance to ensure deal execution and implementation.
Resolves road blocks and mitigates at risk scenarios.
Develops Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to demonstrate achieved business value.
**Other**
Embody our culture and values
**Qualifications**
**Qualifications**
**Required/Minimum Qualifications**
Bachelor\’s Degree in Business Administration, Sciences or related field and demonstrable work experience (e.g., top-tier management consulting, investment banking, corporate strategy, business development, business planning, venture capital or related domains).
Or equivalent experience
Relevant financial acumen, with the ability to interpret complex financial data to develop business cases and economic models.
**Additional or Preferred Qualifications**
Masteru2019s/ Advanced Degree in Business Administration, Economics, STEM Sciences or related field
Relevant work experience (e.g., top-tier management consulting, investment banking, corporate strategy, business development, business planning, venture capital or related domains).
Structured problem-solving and analytical skills, to identify root causes, evaluate strategic options, and support data-driven decision-making.
Capability to manage highly complex projects, showing resilience and sound judgment, particularly in leading initiatives that require alignment and decision-making across cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
Comfortable operating in environments characterized by ambiguity and uncertainty, maintaining focus and effectiveness without clear precedents.
Skilled at building alliances and navigating challenging interpersonal dynamics, particularly when working with demanding or high-stakes stakeholders.
Deep interest in technology and emerging trends; fast learner with intellectual curiosity.
Multilingual capabilities preferred u2014 especially fluency in French and/or German.
#BD&V
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations ( .
Business Development (Strategic Partnerships & Business Consulting) employer: Microsoft Corporation
Contact Detail:
Microsoft Corporation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development (Strategic Partnerships & Business Consulting)
✨Tip Number 1
Network strategically within the industry. Attend events, webinars, and conferences related to business development and strategic partnerships. Engaging with professionals in similar roles can provide insights into the company culture and expectations at Microsoft.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Microsoft's current partnerships and strategic initiatives, especially in the EMEA region. Understanding their existing collaborations will help you articulate how your skills and experiences align with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss complex deal negotiations you've led in the past. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your ability to manage stakeholders and navigate challenging interpersonal dynamics, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your analytical skills by being prepared to discuss how you've used financial data to inform business decisions. Highlighting your experience in developing business cases or economic models will demonstrate your fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development (Strategic Partnerships & Business Consulting)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in business development, strategic partnerships, and consulting. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand the role and its requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the position and Microsoft’s mission. Discuss specific examples of how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly in negotiation and deal management.
Showcase Financial Acumen: Since the role requires interpreting complex financial data, include examples in your application that demonstrate your financial analysis skills. Highlight any relevant projects or experiences where you successfully developed business cases or economic models.
Highlight Multilingual Skills: If you speak multiple languages, especially French or German, make sure to mention this in your application. This can set you apart as a candidate who can effectively communicate in diverse environments across EMEA.
How to prepare for a job interview at Microsoft Corporation
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around partner and deal strategy, negotiation, and deal management. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with what they are looking for.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Given the emphasis on financial data in this role, be prepared to discuss your experience with interpreting complex financial information. Bring examples of how you've used financial data to guide business decisions or develop economic models in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Highlight your ability to identify high-priority opportunities and shape strategies. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've successfully navigated complex projects or negotiations, particularly in cross-functional environments. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and strategic mindset.
✨Prepare for Cultural Fit Questions
Microsoft values its culture and values highly. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Think about examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to build alliances and navigate challenging interpersonal dynamics, especially in high-stakes situations.