Our mission at Microsoft is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more.  An important element this mission is providing best-in-class programmes and technical support for the startup founders who are at the forefront of innovation and supporting their unique entrepreneurial journey.  At Microsoft for Startups, we are grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create, which is why we place a particular emphasis on democratising access to the company-building resources that will enable healthy and diverse startup ecosystems globally. 

The Global Partnerships team within Microsoft for Startups is accountable for pushing the envelope on how to nurture and accelerate startups at every stage of their development.  We work with a multitude of stakeholders and startup-enabling organisations around the world to assemble partner-driven programmes that support entrepreneurs as they build inspiring new products and businesses.  

  

In support of this mission, the Partnership Operations Manager will be responsible for implementing programs and processes and engaging both internal and external stakeholders to maximise the success, strategic impact, and long-term value of our partner-driven programmes.  The optimal candidate will be: 

Passionate about startup innovation and delivering resources that help diversify the global entrepreneurial landscape; 

Experienced working within a startup ecosystems and familiar with startup-enabling organisations (e.g. incubators, accelerators, the investor community, etc.); 

Invested in creating the operational and programme management structures that enable partnership success at scale; and 

Motivated to help Microsoft for Startups implement, evaluate, iterate, and scale the company-building resources, tools, and products that can offer differentiate value to entrepreneurs. 

This is a unique opportunity to build both the relationships and operational foundation that will support our most strategic partnerships as Microsoft for Startups scales its offering.  The Partnerships Operations Manager will work cross-functionally, assisting with programmes that span startup recruitment, business coaching, mentorship, technical enablement, and under-represented minority founder entrepreneurial support.  This is an opportunity to be part of an agile, impact-focused, and high velocity team. 

Responsibilities

Provide programme management and operational oversight of strategic partnerships to ensure successful delivery of partnership agreement terms 

Develop new partner-focused initiatives that can be delivered at scale in service of key strategic aims 

Assist in creation and maintenance of operational frameworks that enable team-wide visibility of strategic partner performance and help individual partner account managers deliver impact 

Design and maintain internal data management systems to monitor progress on strategic goals and keep team oriented on delivering quantitatively measurable outcomes 

Build trust and establish credibility across internal teams to collaboratively ensure partnerships are meeting strategic goals 

Serve as collaborative liaison with internal MfS teams with the aim of supporting the development and roll-out of partner-specific features in line with the overarching Microsoft for Startups product roadmap 

Be an excellent brand ambassador of Microsoft for Startups to attract reputable external partners and help them align with the mission 

Qualifications

Proven experience working with startups and partnering with startup-enabling organisations in a programme management capacity 

Experience of architecting and implementing metric-driven programme management systems  

Proven track record of operationalising strategic priorities in a manner that unites and aligns disparate stakeholders 

Experience owning partner accounts, managing partner relationships, with an interest in developing externally-focused business development skills 

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are critical with demonstrated ability to capture and present complex ideas and concepts 

Demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced, startup-like environment; highly adaptable, results-driven, and proactive

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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. 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.