Microsoft Elevate is a global initiative designed to empower mission-driven organizations and individuals to thrive in the AI-powered economy. Launched this year, Elevate brings together and expands the work previously delivered through Microsoft Philanthropies and the Tech for Social Impact team. It combines technology support, donations, sales, and skilling programs for schools, community colleges, nonprofits, and historically underserved and underrepresented communities. At its core, Elevate puts people first, helping ensure that artificial intelligence enhances human potential and expands opportunities for impact and innovation.
The Partner Development Manager is a key role within the Microsoft Elevate Scale Operating Unit and serves as a strategic, partner-facing leader responsible for managing end-to-end relationships with regional partners supporting Microsoft Elevate priorities.
This individual serves as an important link between Microsoft's Elevate mission and the local partner ecosystem, helping partners deliver AI-powered Microsoft solutions, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure, and Dynamics 365, to education and nonprofit customers across the region.
The role requires close collaboration with field sales teams and the establishment of a strong and consistent Rhythm of Business with partners to align regional partner strategies with Microsoft Elevate's regional business priorities. The Partner Development Manager also engages with senior leaders within partner organizations to maintain strategic alignment and strengthen partner engagement.
Through effective business planning, strategic collaboration, and execution of sales strategies, the Partner Development Manager helps drive business growth, supports achievement of organizational goals, strengthens partner commitment to Microsoft, and creates mutual value for Microsoft, its partners, and the customers they serve.
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.
Responsibilities
In this role, the Partner Development Manager will own a broad set of responsibilities to drive partner performance and business outcomes.
Develop Strategic Partner Plans: Create and execute a Partner Business Plan that aligns the partner's business goals with Microsoft Elevate priorities. This includes defining clear revenue and solution milestones aligned with strategic priorities and growth opportunities.
Stakeholder Engagement & Alignment: Serve as the primary liaison between Microsoft Elevate and partner leadership. Engage with partner executives to maintain strategic alignment across Education and Nonprofit segments. Facilitate connections between partners and Microsoft Elevate teams, ensuring that partner-led opportunities and campaigns are aligned with local sales motions. Build trusted relationships through regular executive engagement and by addressing issues or obstacles in a timely manner.
Business Development & Strategy Execution: Lead business discussions with partners to implement Microsoft Elevate sales strategies and new initiatives. Introduce and support adoption of Microsoft offerings by communicating their value and differentiation. Co-develop go-to-market strategies with partners to support customer acquisition, cloud migrations, and expansion opportunities.
Drive Sales Execution & Pipeline: Guide partners in executing across priority solution areas (for example, Microsoft Copilot, Azure, Security, and Modern Work). Drive co-sell motions with partners and support management of partner pipelines through CRM tools. Coordinate the effective use of partner investment programs to strengthen partner capacity and capabilities. Ensure programs are understood and executed effectively to maximize business outcomes and partner growth.
Partner Capacity and Enablement: Act as a coach and advisor to partner sales and technical teams. Identify capability gaps and collaborate with partners to build technical and sales skills, including through Microsoft skilling programs. Identify business challenges and collaborate with partners to develop scalable solutions using Microsoft Elevate partner programs, investments, and technology offerings tailored to Education and Nonprofit organizations.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications (RQs/MQs)
- Bachelor's Degree in Sales, Marketing, Business Operations or related field AND 5+ years partner management, sales, business development, or partner channel development in the technology industry
- OR 8+ years partner management, sales, business development, or partner channel development in the technology industry.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications (PQs)
- Master's Degree in Business Administration, Business Science,
- OR an advanced degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related field AND 8+ years partner management, sales, business development,
- OR partner channel development in the technology industry.
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Sales, Marketing, Business Operations or related field AND 5+ years partner management, sales, business development, or partner channel development in the technology industry
- 8+ years partner management, sales, business development, or partner channel development in the technology industry (alternative experience path)
- Master's degree in Business Administration or advanced STEM degree AND 8+ years partner management, sales, business development, or partner channel development in the technology industry
Microsoft Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Microsoft and has not been reviewed or approved by Microsoft.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is presented as broadly competitive overall, with clear role/level/location variation and an emphasis on using posted ranges and band information for apples-to-apples comparisons.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as a standout, highlighted by a strong 401(k) match structure and immediate vesting, plus additional plan features for tax-advantaged saving.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-oriented benefits are portrayed as a meaningful strength, with substantial paid parental leave and added supports like back-up care and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
Microsoft Insights
What We Do
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our mission is grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create. Today, we live in a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and the transformation we are driving across our businesses is designed to enable Microsoft and our customers to thrive in this world.
