Microsoft is the destination for experienced, collaborative, and passionate digital advertising professionals seeking a rewarding career and lifestyle. We offer a compelling portfolio of advertising products, innovative solutions and the opportunity to engage with some of the brightest minds in the digital industry.

Microsoft Advertising is a multi-billion dollar worldwide Sales, Marketing and Services organization on the cutting edge of the digital advertising industry. We are the engine that powers the buying and selling of digital advertising across all aspects of our digital portfolio including the high-growth, global search engine, Bing, as well as the Microsoft Audience Network.

The Global Strategic Sales (GSS) and Small, Medium, Corporate and Channel Partner (SMCC) Sales organizations empower direct advertisers as well as networked and independent agencies of all sizes around the world to reach their maximum potential through paid Search/Display advertising on the Microsoft Advertising platform. We are seeking a top performing Agency Director, North America to maximize Search/Native advertising investment on the Microsoft Advertising platform, as well as partner cross-segment on digital transformation initiatives to support agencies in delivering differentiated value to their clients.

Responsibilities

This US-based role will lead a large Holding Company partnership at Microsoft Advertising. The role works ‘in-service-to’ the Sales team, leveraging senior client relationships to foster local market investment growth; as well as ‘connecting dots’ across Microsoft to support the agencies to realize their digital transformation goals. In detail:   

Nurture trusted and valued relationships with the most senior leadership layers of each agency group across North America.

Hold accountability for meeting/exceeding functional Search/Native advertising revenue target.

Drive agency adoption for Microsoft Audience Network (MSAN), including relationship-building beyond existing Search partnerships and into Native/ Display/ Video/ Programmatic buying teams.

Conceptualize and drive scaled programs; develop holistic (Search/ Native/ cross-Microsoft) partnership framework; leverage tools to measure Search/Native KPI’s; drive reporting rigor (eg. quarterly business reviews) to foster frequent and intentional conversation around joint accountability; build ‘test and learn’ initiatives.

Function in an ‘in-service-to’ capacity with Sales, and partner closely with North America Sales leaders to align on strategy and initiative implementation for the Holding Company.

Partner with other functional teams (Marketing, Analytics & Insights, Technical Account Management, Field Sales Excellence, Operations) to ensure full leverage of available resources/ budgets/ tools etc to drive partnership value.

Foster and promote the cross-Microsoft agenda, leveraging the broader Microsoft stack to support the Holding Company in driving internal process transformation as well as differentiated value for clients through product innovation.

Operate at the ‘tip of the spear’, immersing in industry shifts and competitive offerings, to inform product pipeline; and new sales initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

10+ years’ experience in digital media sales/service with a focus on agencies required.

Experience in nurturing martech and data-based partnerships preferred.

Organizational agility/ savvy to lead across functions, markets and segments; and driving scaled programs.

Proven track record in nurturing trusted relationships with agency leaders; possessing a high degree of executive maturity, integrity and accountability.

Consistently demonstrates a ‘growth mindset’; embracing continuous learning; challenging the status quo, being brave, owning failures and rapidly iterating.

Passion for creating a diverse and inclusive culture, where everyone can bring their full and authentic selves; where all voices are heard; and where the team can do their best work as a result.

Domestic/ international travel anticipated, although requirements will be assessed in the post-pandemic period.

By applying to this position, you are being considered for multiple like positions. Position specifics, including hiring team, location and position details, will be determined during the interview process. The job description should make clear the job responsibilities and required qualifications.  

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.