Senior Business Development Manager

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.

• 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.

• 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 

• 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.

Business Development IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across United Kingdom is £ 79,700.00 - £ 133,900.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/united-kingdom-corporate-pay.html

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.