Senior Business Manager - STU
Microsoft
Senior Business Manager - STU
Schiphol, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
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Overview
Senior Business Manager
The Specialist Team Unit (STU) is the technical and solution-selling engine of MCAPS, driving growth, innovation, and customer success through deep expertise, cross-functional collaboration, and execution excellence. This is the largest sales organization within Microsoft Commercial And Partners Solutions (MCAPS) and plays a pivotal role in driving Microsoft’s commercial success. It is responsible for leading technical sales engagements across all solution areas: Modern Work, Security, Azure, Data & AI, Apps & Inno, and Business Applications.
STU’s mission is to accelerate and secure customers’ digital transformation through technical intensity, thought leadership, and deep solution expertise. STU translates customer business needs into MSFT value propositions, applying the relevant technologies to help customers achieve their goal - both business and people side. It operates at the intersection of customer needs, partner capabilities, and Microsoft’s innovation agenda.
STU collaborates closely with the Account Team Unit (ATU), Customer Success Unit (CSU), and Partners to deliver end-to-end value, from early-stage inspiration and solution design to deployment and consumption. In particular STU focuses on the “Inspire and Design” phase, where it helps shape customer vision and align offers to business outcomes. It is also accountable for securing customer commitments, qualifying opportunities, and transitioning milestones to CSU for delivery and adoption.
For the Business Manger role we are looking for someone who can partner with the STU lead to steer the organization towards the jointly defined goals, challenge and be a sounding board for the same STU lead as well guide cross functional Teams towards achieving business objectives in strong collaboration with Microsoft Netherlands Leadership Team. This requires a strong balance of strategic thinking, financial acumen, effective communication, team building and strong flexibility.
In addition, as the business landscape is constantly evolving, and a successful Business Manager must be adaptable and open to change. He/she should be able to adjust strategies, navigate uncertainties, and embrace new technologies or trends to stay ahead.
The role will be focusing 80% on STU related activities in partnership and under the leadership of the STU GM; for the remaining time, the BM will run activities beyond the STU scope, in collaboration with the Office of the CEO. This is an opportunity to get a broader exposure to the SLT. As for other BM roles in the Netherlands, we decided to have this role under the Chief of Staff.
Qualifications
Preferred experience
- High degree of business and people acumen, with the ability to drive impact and navigate Microsoft effectively through influence - engaging multiple stakeholders, including senior leaders, by leveraging strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
- Already worked in a manager role.
- Excellent (10+ years’ experience) project and program management skills and the ability to lead effective v-teams cross-org. Must be able to manage multiple projects, deal with ambiguity and uncertainty, work in a team environment, recognize trends, and identify systematic approaches to solving problems in this fast moving, dynamic environment.
- Strong knowledge and experience working with corporate headquarters, the MCAPS organization (STU in particular), the account / field teams, and customers/partners is an advantage.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to produce impactful communication materials.
- Customer-obsessed. Strong organizing skills. Good time management. Exceptional attention to detail.
- Clear sense of integrity, thrive in ambiguity, and enjoy working in high-pressure environments while consistently delivering exceptional results.
- Previous consultant experience preferred (not required)
- Embody our culture and values.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities towards the STU organization, in partnership with the STU lead (80% of the focus)
- Supports the leader and serves as a thought leader in multiple areas (e.g., setting key goals, priorities, and definitions; team culture and health; communications; budget/finance; industry/specific business knowledge). Synthesizes information into insights that inform business decisions, leveraging expertise to influence the leader, leadership team, and across the organization. Shares best practices across the Business Management community at Microsoft. Helps develop and lands organizational changes (e.g., employee data management, skilling plans, landing quota).
- Leads strategy execution in partnership with the STU LT across the organization. Leverages knowledge of the business to drive the leader's and business's goals to ensure business activities are aligned with the leader's objectives. Leads and oversees processes to ensure alignment across groups. Sets best practices for long-term company strategy within existing businesses, and advocates and presents business cases to senior leadership. Serves in the absence of the leader as needed to share their goals, objectives, and vision.
- Drives the leadership’s team rhythm of business. Drives strategy initiatives and helps facilitate for rhythm of business (ROB, Town Halls, offsites); uses strategy plans to inform structure and business insights to predict business outcomes. Works with senior leaders to ensure they are aligned, show up as one voice to the rest of the organization and drive outcomes, always with integrity.
- Leads in conjunction with the STU lead some cross-team workstreams (e.g., workforce planning, culture, business health). Leverages key partnerships to drive the agenda for the leadership team and ensures follow up. Builds and cultivates relationships with senior leaders and executives. Advises senior leaders and key external stakeholders on business and company insights as a key partner. Acts as a proxy for the leader. Creates alignment within partnerships by providing an objective point of view, ensuring all voices are heard, synthesizing ideas, and creating an action plan.
- Leads executive-level communication with a variety of internal audiences. Optimizes the manager's time by structuring the communication strategy for the business and organizing the daily communications of the leader. All while ensuring close alignment with the Executive Admin – owning the running of the STU Lead office to ensure effective working.
- Act as stand in for the STU leader, in case of absence / double booking, representing the STU organization on internal meetings – on business and organizational topics.
Responsibilities Towards the NL Area, in partnership with the CEO office and other Business Managers across the NL SLT (20% of the time)
- Drives cross-team and cross-area projects with other BMs as needed (e.g. CSU and ATU BMs) to meet the changing business environment and to manage complex business needs. Leads project/program management to ensure organization-wide implementation of strategic efforts that require hands-on coordination across multiple disciplines and business organizations. Leads strategic innovation and experimentation. Creates clarity on ambiguous projects and develops plans for execution.
- Support and at rotation may take the lead on event orchestration and preparation key events – such as Executive Country CVP and EVP visits, STU EMEA lead visits and Customer & Partner Engagement at flagship events (e.g. AI Tour, CxO Communities)- to ensure seamless execution. This includes timely and complete delivery of presentations and briefings, managing attendee communications, and aligning with Core and EMEA leadership.
- Provide strategic support for the CEO and STU lead in preparing for internal events, communications and strategic customer and partner meetings, including executive sponsorship coordination and meeting follow-up actions with internal/external stakeholders.