QualificationsDevOpsCommunication skillsTechnical salesGitHubBusiness developmentBachelor’s degree
In this role, you will be part of a small team responsible for driving strategic partnerships and business development for our fast-growing portfolio of startups. You’ll identify, develop, and execute on business strategy initiatives and programs with a focus on delivering joint commitment and mutual success for Microsoft and our portfolio.
As a Portfolio Development Manager, you will help our portfolio companies leverage the full range of Microsoft’s assets and ecosystem resources to accelerate their growth. This will be accomplished by developing a deep understanding of the portfolio companies‘ needs, and then aligning those needs to Microsoft’s strategic initiatives, internal product teams, and customer priorities. You will work as an extension of our companies on topics ranging from channel sales and product development to marketing strategy. Our team forms deep relationships with our founders and executive teams to help them in their journey. Successful execution in this role is what will help distinguish our team from other venture funds and corporate investors.
This role will be focused on supporting M12’s existing and future portfolio companies in the DevOps and Cloud Infrastructure thesis categories. This includes using your knowledge of both areas, along with Microsoft’s products and services, to work with teams across Microsoft and M12 to develop impactful partnerships with our portfolio companies. In this role you will also work closely with our DevOps and Cloud Infrastructure investment teams to assess the strategic engagement potential between prospective startups and Microsoft.
We place a premium on diversity of ideas and are excited to add new perspectives to our team. We value accountability, continuous learning, inclusivity, teamwork, transparency, and trust.
This role typically requires 10% travel.
About You
Core skills, knowledge, and abilities that will make someone successful in this role:
Collaboration: Demonstrated work experience with cross-disciplinary teams to drive key partnership and business development initiatives from creation to implementation with internal and external stakeholders.
Influence: Ability to influence and drive results in a complex technical and business environment, including various stakeholders across functions (such as engineering, business development, marketing, sales, services, finance, and legal). Learn to additionally influence external stakeholders across corporate and partner organizations.
Execution: Track record of owning projects or programs from early concept design through launch and tracking performance. This includes defining objectives, measuring key results, and communicating progress effectively.
Technical: Some knowledge of DevOps & Cloud Infrastructue concepts with an understanding of relevant industry trends, themes, and products.
Customer Empathy: Demonstrates a customer- and partner-first mindset and knowledge of technology, startups, and corporate innovation to engage senior executives and drive results.
Analytical: Proficient critical thinking and strategic analysis ability with a desire to solve difficult problems, apply frameworks, and connect dots that aren’t immediately visible.
Curiosity: Drive to learn, understand and grasp new concepts, and to seek out logical solutions with a willingness to adapt and change your point of view.
Entrepreneurial: Demonstrated passion for using creativity, exploring new ideas, and experimenting with innovative, outside-the-box approaches.
Ethics and Integrity: Track record of operating with honesty, inclusiveness, respect, and accountability. Consistently practices and upholds shared team values.
Prior experience in business/corporate development, product/engineering, corporate strategy, partner management, technical sales, or consulting.
Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following: structuring partnerships, defining go-to-market strategies, leading new programs/projects, or delivering insights to senior executives.
Some exposure to and/or knowledge of the startup and venture ecosystem.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent alternative education, skills, and/or practical experience.
Responsibilities
Developing in-depth knowledge of the portfolio companies’ business models and priorities, including growth strategy, objectives, plans for readiness, marketing, services, and sales.
Working with DevOps and Cloud Infrastructure portfolio companies to translate their business and product goals into successful partnerships with Microsoft and our ecosystem of customers and partners.
Building strong relationships with thesis stakeholders across Microsoft and its subsidiaries (Engineering, BD, Sales, GitHub, Corporate Strategy), landing new product releases, industry announcements, and go-to-market strategies with M12 and with our portfolio companies.
Experimenting with new ideas, programs, and projects that innovate how we support our portfolio companies and deliver more value at scale.
Evangelizing M12 and our portfolio companies across Microsoft, providing valuable innovation and signal to the company.
Partnering closely with the DevOps and Cloud Infrastructure investment teams at M12 to assess strategic alignment and potential for engagement with Microsoft.
Contributing to M12’s culture by being an inclusive team member that embraces diversity and fosters cross-team trust and respect.
Qualifications
Required
5+ years of relevant professional experience with some exposure to and/or knowledge of the startup ecosystem
OR Bachelor’s degree or equivalent alternative education AND 2+ years of relevant professional and/or practical experience.
Some prior experience in business/corporate development, product/engineering, corporate strategy, partner management, technical sales, or consulting.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications
Experience working at a startup and/or with entrepreneurs, especially in DevOps or Cloud Infrastructure.
An understanding of how large corporate enterprises operate (e.g., processes, systems, and strategies).
Strategy consulting experience working with enterprise clients or partners.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including synthesizing complex information.
Experience working on projects related to corporate innovation and incubation.
Basic knowledge of Microsoft’s platforms and processes, including product and partner strategies.
Experience with channel partnerships and ecosystem product integrations.
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.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.