Director Business Planning

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

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About The Position

Microsoft’s Monetization Strategy and Licensing (MSL) organization defines monetization, channel, and licensing strategies for its commercial product portfolio. Within MSL, the Go-to-Market team drives growth and strengthens customer and partner experiences by defining how and where customers buy. This role is part of the Enterprise Go-to-Market Strategy team and leads strategic initiatives to advance the commercial models through which enterprise customers buy Azure, with scope expanding to AI as opportunities emerge.

The Director Business Planning focuses on Azure and AI, defining and evolving the commercial models that shape how enterprise customers buy from Microsoft. The role leads initiatives from strategy development and executive alignment through implementation and delivery of business outcomes, supporting Microsoft’s transition to a new commerce platform. It works closely with finance, operations, engineering, legal, and field sales stakeholders, including executives, to drive strategic alignment and decision-making.

The position offers opportunities to build expertise in Azure and AI monetization, licensing, and commerce, develop cross-functional relationships, and contribute to high-visibility commercial strategy initiatives tied to enterprise revenue growth and customer experience. Microsoft describes its culture as grounded in a growth mindset, innovation, collaboration, respect, integrity, accountability, and inclusion.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Computer Science, Economics, Business, or a related field and 6+ years of experience in business planning, corporate strategy, product management, finance, consulting, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience shaping and leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy development through implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, frame complex business problems, evaluate options and trade-offs, and develop well-informed recommendations.
• Business and financial acumen, including translating data, market dynamics, and customer insights into strategic recommendations.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with proven ability to influence senior leaders and build alignment across diverse stakeholders without direct authority.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Computer Science, Economics, Business, or a related field and 12+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent experience.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a related field and 8+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of experience in business planning, corporate strategy, product management, finance, consulting, or a related field.
• Experience in cloud, AI, enterprise technology, or a related technology business.
• Experience with enterprise sales, channel, commerce, licensing, or contracting motions.

Responsibilities

• Define commercial strategy and build business cases to create, advance, or retire commercial models that drive growth and accelerate enterprise customers’ transition to new commerce.
• Shape strategic recommendations in complex and ambiguous areas by integrating financial analysis, market and competitive dynamics, customer needs, and sales insights.
• Influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional alignment by communicating the vision, strategic rationale, expected impact, trade-offs, risks, and path forward.
• Build stakeholder support and secure executive alignment, including communicating the implementation approach.
• Translate approved strategies into business outcomes in partnership with change management and operational teams; track progress, resolve barriers, and deliver intended outcomes.
• Establish success measures and mechanisms to assess performance of launched initiatives, refine strategy, inform future investments, and improve outcomes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director