Partner Solution Specialist - Cloud & AI Platforms (Nonprofit and Education)

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Are you passionate about helping Education and Nonprofit organisations unlock the full potential of cloud technologies and artificial intelligence? As Microsoft’s Partner Solution Specialist (PSS) for Cloud and AI, you’ll lead strategic engagements across the Education Kindergarten to Year 12 and Nonprofit sectors in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia—driving digital transformation and innovation through Microsoft’s partner ecosystem.

In this high-impact role, you’ll empower partners to build dedicated practices that deliver integrated cloud infrastructure, data, and AI solutions via the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) and other Partner programs. You’ll guide partners in supporting customers to modernise their IT environments, harness the power of data, and implement AI-driven solutions that improve outcomes and operational efficiency.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, purpose-driven team focused on scaling impact through partner-led growth, customer acquisition, and cloud workload expansion. Your work will include strategic partner planning, marketing and sales enablement, and delivery of transformative AI experiences that help Education and Nonprofit organisations achieve more. This role blends strategic engagement, technical expertise, and collaborative execution—empowering you to help customers reimagine what’s possible through the Microsoft Cloud and AI.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 4+ years of experience in core sales, CSP program engagement, channel sales, and SMB business development.
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in Microsoft’s integrated Cloud and AI platform capabilities, with deep understanding of cloud infrastructure, data, and AI solutions.
• Proven ability to articulate and apply these capabilities to address the unique challenges faced by Education (K–12) and Nonprofit organisations, enabling secure digital transformation and resilience through partner-led engagements.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in core sales, CSP program engagement, channel sales, and SMB business development.
• Strong partner relationship management and solution development skills.
• Executive presence with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Problem-solving mindset with experience in budget planning and procurement.
• Ideally with basic business proficiency in additional languages like Korean, Japanese, Mandarin

#CELA

Partner Strategy and Business Planning

• Develop and execute Partner Solution Area Business Plans with key partners to drive discovery and qualification of new cloud and AI platforms opportunities by building long-term relationships and by understanding customer priorities, budgets, and procurement processes.
• Lead weekly coaching and update calls with invested partners to maintain focus and resolve issues swiftly.
• Collaborate with nonprofit and education Kindergarten to Year 12 Partner Ambassadors to amplify partner impact.

Sales and Marketing Execution

• Drive key marketing and sales activities with partners, including AI and Copilot Get Ready Workshops, MCI Workshops, and partner-led events.
• Utilise customer demand generation engines to support partner-led outreach and engagement.

Channel Development and Enablement

• Engage with partners to expand customer and wider partner ecosystem reach by ensuring access to key assets and materials.
• Guide partners through transformation journeys to build prioritised education Kindergarten to Year 12 and nonprofit practices with leadership support and co-investment.
• Coach partners to articulate cloud benefits to customers, increasing paid-to-grant ratios and reducing engagement friction.

Partner Engagement and Referral Management

• Own local referral partner relationships, ensuring readiness across all three cloud workloads.
• Support Sales team in referral health reviews and provide feedback to improve partner performance.

Territory Growth and Investment

• Develop and support growth plans focused on education Kindergarten to Year 12 industry scale.
• Align partner business models and expertise with Microsoft’s mission to ensure strategic focus and impact.

Performance Management and Reporting

• Manage monthly reporting cycles to capture insights and inform future investments.
• Act as the local SMB Solution Area Nonprofit and Education Kindergarten to Year 12 lead, promoting engagement at scale through partners and affiliates.