At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive strategic business development in AI and emerging tech, shaping partnerships and executing opportunities.
- Company: Join Microsoft, a leader in technology innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and diverse career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with global exposure and significant ownership.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI and cloud technology, making impactful connections.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development and strong relationship management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Microsoft is seeking an experienced Business Development leader to shape and execute strategic opportunities across AI, sovereign cloud and emerging technology. You will take opportunities from qualification and partnership strategy through negotiation and execution, working across Engineering, Product and commercial teams, as well as with customers and partners, to turn emerging ideas into scalable businesses. The role sits at the intersection of technology, strategy and commercial execution, with a particular focus on AI infrastructure, agentic applications, cloud and the emerging AI ecosystem. You will help develop new partnership and commercial models, build relationships with emerging technology companies, and connect market opportunities and customer needs with Microsoft’s product and engineering organizations. This is an opportunity to work on some of Microsoft’s most rapidly evolving technology and business areas, with significant ownership and exposure across products, geographies, and partners.
Responsibilities
- Own and execute a portfolio of business development opportunities across AI, sovereign cloud and emerging technology, from qualification and partnership strategy through negotiation and execution.
- Identify, assess and prioritize emerging opportunities, developing partnership strategies and business value propositions that address customer, partner and Microsoft needs.
- Lead strategic AI and technology partnerships, connecting customers and partners with the right Engineering, Product and commercial teams to shape opportunities and unblock execution.
- Structure and negotiate partnerships and new commercial models, balancing strategic, technical and commercial considerations.
- Build relationships across the emerging AI ecosystem and develop a pipeline of companies, technologies and opportunities relevant to Microsoft’s strategy.
- Drive cross-functional alignment across Microsoft and manage multiple concurrent opportunities, risks, milestones, and stakeholder dependencies through closure.
- Develop relationships with customers and partners, using market, technology and competitive insights to help inform partnership and product strategy.
- Establish appropriate execution and governance plans to support successful outcomes and long-term partnership value.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Liberal Arts, Sciences, or related field AND relevant work experience (e.g., investment banking, consulting, finance, marketing, corporate strategy, sales, venture capital, legal, business development, product management, project management, software development, or related field) OR equivalent experience.
- Demonstrable business development experience with demonstrated ownership of strategic technology partnerships from qualification through negotiation and execution.
- Demonstrable strategic and commercial judgment, with the ability to assess opportunities, develop partnership propositions and operate effectively in ambiguity.
- Demonstrated ability to independently align cross-functional stakeholders and drive complex opportunities to closure.
- Demonstrable relationship management, influencing, and negotiation skills.
- Demonstrable understanding of the AI and technology ecosystem, with sufficient technical fluency to engage effectively with Product and Engineering teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Liberal Arts, Sciences, or related field AND relevant work experience OR Master's/Advanced Degree in Business, Sciences, or related field AND relevant work experience OR equivalent experience.
- Demonstrable experience in the technology industry or in a technical role (e.g., IT, Engineering).
- Experience working across multiple countries or regions with both established strategic partners and emerging technology companies.
- Knowledge of generative AI, agentic applications, AI infrastructure, cloud technologies, and the emerging startup and software ecosystem.
- Working knowledge of Azure and cloud infrastructure; experience with sovereign or private cloud and AI infrastructure would be advantageous.
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. 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 with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
Senior Business Development Manager in London employer: Microsoft
At Microsoft, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the role of AI Business Solution Sales Manager. Our culture is rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and continuous learning, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth while working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. With a strong focus on collaboration and customer success, our team members are empowered to make a meaningful impact, supported by industry-leading resources and a commitment to employee development.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Microsoft, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Microsoft
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Microsoft’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
