Director, Sales Excellence - Search Advertising

Microsoft • New York, NY

118d • $130,900 - $251,900

About The Position

As Director of Sales Excellence supporting the Search and Audience Advertising Sales organization, you will lead a team of high-performing Sales Excellence specialists. This role combines strategic leadership, operational rigor, and people development to drive sales effectiveness and business growth. You will serve as a trusted advisor to senior sales leadership, foster a culture where your team can thrive, and build strong partnerships across a highly matrixed organization. This opportunity allows you to shape the future of digital advertising sales through cross-functional collaboration, coaching for impact, and defining growth strategies. You will sharpen your skills in driving executional excellence and advocating for your team's success.

Requirements

• 8+ years experience with active participation in sales, sales operations/management, account management, program management, business development, marketing, consulting, or a related field OR equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience using data to drive business outcomes or inform business decisions.
• 5+ years of experience managing relationships with stakeholders, clients, and/or customers.
• 3+ years people management experience.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• 5+ years managing projects, including planning, managing timelines, and tracking progress, and/or change management experience.
• 5+ years of experience with data-based storytelling that has impacted organizational strategy.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic business planning, including market analysis, resource modeling, and service level definition.
• 3+ years of experience developing incentive or performance acceleration programs with measurable uplift in key metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead semi-annual sales planning, forecasting, and budgeting processes, setting clear sales targets and Go-to-Market strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Coordinate with cross-functional leaders to integrate accountabilities for unified execution.
• Analyze market trends and internal performance data to benchmark results and uncover new revenue opportunities.
• Use insights on key drivers, risks, and industry dynamics to adjust strategy and recommend actions that will accelerate growth or mitigate gaps.
• Serve as an internal advocate and extension of Sales leadership.
• Advise on business management areas such as employee engagement, resource planning, change management, and team performance.
• Implement enablement programs that equip sellers with tools, training, and content to improve productivity.
• Drive adoption of CRM tools and gather feedback to enhance usability and effectiveness.
• Roll out sales initiatives and product launches consistently across teams to capitalize on opportunities.
• Support sales managers with playbooks and best practices for opportunity management.
• Inspire and manage a team of Sales specialists, setting a clear vision and expectations.
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative culture that values diversity and empowers team members.
• Champion employee engagement initiatives such as mentorship and recognition programs.
• Oversee sales analytics and business intelligence to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Monitor key performance metrics and provide regular reporting to stakeholders.
• Continuously improve sales processes and workflows to increase efficiency and eliminate bottlenecks.
• Implement best practices consistently across regions and champion continuous process improvement.

Benefits

• Industry leading healthcare
• Educational resources
• Discounts on products and services
• Savings and investments
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Generous time away
• Giving programs
• Opportunities to network and connect

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree