Principal Corporate Counsel, Partner Investments & Global SMB

Microsoft • Washington, DC

12d • $132,200 - $248,600

About The Position

Microsoft is seeking an experienced attorney to join its Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs group as legal counsel to the Partner Investments organization and the Global Small, Medium, and Corporate Business team within Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions. The role supports Microsoft's partner and SMB growth strategies and advises on initiatives central to its commercial business. It requires commercial judgment, practical risk calibration, and the ability to work across complex legal and compliance areas, including finance controls, incentive governance, anti-corruption, competition law, data handling, security, responsible AI, and partner contracting. The counsel will develop scalable legal frameworks for partner investment strategies, SMB go-to-market initiatives, and channel sales programs, while supporting deal velocity and sustainable growth across Microsoft's partner ecosystem and global SMB business. The role may also support the Microsoft Marketplace team as its business evolves. The successful candidate will manage complex, multi-stakeholder matters in a fast-paced technology environment and simplify complex issues for business decision-makers.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree or international equivalent and at least 4 years of experience as a practicing attorney, or equivalent experience.
• Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and ability to meet admission requirements in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Demonstrated legal experience providing practical, risk-calibrated legal advice.
• High standards of integrity, accountability, and professional judgment.
• Ability and desire to work as part of an inclusive team and foster a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting technology, commercial, sales, partner, or go-to-market organizations.
• Experience with partner ecosystems, channel sales programs, incentives, investments, commercial contracting, or other growth-oriented business initiatives.
• Global mindset and ability to work effectively across cultures, geographies, and diverse business environments.
• Growth mindset, including intellectual curiosity, adaptability, openness to feedback, and desire to learn and embrace new technologies and ways of working.
• Commitment to operational excellence, including leveraging AI-powered tools, automation, and scalable processes to improve productivity and legal service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to Partner Investments and GSMB, providing practical, business-oriented counsel on strategic initiatives, partner programs, sales motions, and complex legal and regulatory matters.
• Structure, negotiate, and advise on partner- and customer-facing arrangements, including investment frameworks, incentive programs, strategic commercial agreements, channel transactions, and other growth-oriented initiatives.
• Advise on the design and implementation of partner investment and incentive programs to help ensure compliance with legal requirements and company policies, including competition law, anti-corruption, finance controls, and governance frameworks.
• Collaborate with business, finance, sales, operations, compliance, engineering, and legal stakeholders to develop practical solutions balancing business objectives and legal and regulatory risk.
• Promote AI-enabled tools, scalable legal processes, and reusable frameworks to improve efficiency, accelerate execution, and support global operations.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks involving partner contracting, data handling, security, responsible AI, and commercial compliance.
• Develop best practices, playbooks, training materials, and feedback mechanisms to improve consistency, scalability, and legal support effectiveness.
• Champion AI-powered solutions and innovative working methods, including self-service resources and reusable guidance, to scale legal support and improve productivity.
• Potentially provide legal support to the Microsoft Marketplace team as its business evolves.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree