Overview

As Business Manager you will work closely with the Lead of Specialist Team Unit (STU) group in driving the rhythm-of-the-business, team communications and executive communications (external and internal), team connectedness, and management processes. You will partner closely with the STU lead to shape the mission of the team, lead and contribute to special projects, and help develop the value system of the team. You must have the ability to think strategically at a global level and effectively develop key processes, procedures and communications that facilitate business planning and execution. This position requires extensive cross-group coordination at all levels, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build compelling internal/external presentations and comprehensive business review materials.

Overall Scope/Impact This position is directly responsible for driving all of the business management functions that will ensure effectiveness of the STU Lead and operating rhythm, including developing and implementing key business reviews, and setting up processes to get work done. At this critical time in the company’s evolution, the STU leadership team must drive the business through significant growth and transformational strategy moves. The Business Manager will provide insight and advice to the leadership team around operational excellence, headcount, resource and fiscal planning, participate in overall group strategy decisions and assist in implementing policies and procedures while focusing uniquely in maximizing the effectiveness of the Lead helping him balance priorities, communicate effectively and participate in the most relevant meetings, while helping leader's connect with the team by translating dialogues into actions and/or projects that achieve the STU Lead's expected outcomes.

Business Process: Lead and coordinate the STU ROB and improve processes to run the business efficiently. The Business Manager will establish the Rhythm of the Business for the team, and work with Finance and HR organizations to coordinate business processes and management control processes etc. Partner with finance and the procurement desk to ensure effective budget management and forecasting. Partner with staffing teams to meet hiring requirements and elevate staffing conversations with the leadership team.

Responsibilities

Business Planning and Leadership:

Partner with the leadership team and with the EOU business manager, Chief of Staff to manage the planning process ensuring coordination with corporate planning processes as well as planning integration across STU. Work with cross-division and cross-company/team counterparts to manage team participation as needed for various events on corporate level, l year planning, running business reviews, MYR, QBR, and other strategic business planning activities. Management of STU LT processes and agenda, including follow through, and related communications. Participate as a valued LT member who can offer synthesized business perspectives relevant to influencing key strategic decisions.

Communications:

Oversee planning and execution STU LT& communications strategy with creativity and strategic vision and own STU communications calendar for the lead. Drive STU internal communication, memos and presentations for team meetings and other internal communications at major corporate milestones, and next FY planning. Plan and manage team meetings including All Hands, staff meetings and manager meetings. Establish and maintain communication vehicles. Manage the CVPs agenda and external communications (partners and customers) for customer/partner engagements, speaking engagements (MSready, WPC, Convergence, EBCs, etc), and key events ensuring successful and impactful use to time.

Business Integration:

Drive strategic initiatives and provide thought leadership. Identify issues that impede business group success, and provide solutions/recommendations. Identify opportunities to create cross group collaboration and synergies. Orchestrate team design conversation and facilitate successful implementation of organizational plans. Demonstrate discretion and professionalism when working with leadership team on sensitive business and organizational issues, manage ambiguity and propose workable solutions to challenging problems.

Team Development:

Help make the STU a great place to work in Microsoft by partnering with HR and the leadership team to shape and drive the people agenda, lead team health initiatives including participation in the WHI v-team. Partner with HR to drive MS Poll action planning. Orchestrate team trainings and brownbag series to contribute to ongoing development. Define, plan and drive cross-team process improvements (e.g., team recognition, development of business plans and RoB)

Special Projects:

Drive high-impact cross-team projects as needed to meet the changing business environment and ensure the team is achieving commitments. Successful project management, including work with strategy consultants and other external agencies, on strategic efforts that require hands-on experience across multiple functional disciplines and business organizations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years cross functional business experience
• 5+ years of account management related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical background a strong plus
• 3+ years of program management experience

Preferred Skills:

• Critical thinking in this role is important to be successful, ability to see the big picture and digest whether the fine details fit the puzzle
• The candidate should exhibit a “can do” attitude and have the ability to thrive in a very fast paced environment
• Able to handle high-level, complex and time critical deadlines and deliverables across a broad range of topics.
• Business management and organization - experience with business, field, and planning rhythms.
• Impact and influence at senior levels, utilize strong interpersonal skills, confidence, and ability to challenge leads
• Cross-group partnership - to build partnerships of trust across internal organizations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills - to assist in executive communications and simplify complex ideas into easy to understand concepts
• Strong problem solving, analytical and data management skills

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

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Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.