Director, Business Planning

Overview

Microsoft’s Business Planning organization directs our commercial portfolio’s pricing, packaging, licensing, channel, and monetization strategies. Few organizations exist that have such a direct impact on how Microsoft goes to market, which reverberates across the entire industry. Within Business Planning, the Monetization Strategy & Licensing organization works across Cloud & AI Platforms, AI Business Solutions (M365), and Security, driving cross-cloud monetization strategies for how and where customers buy. This includes defining the strategy for Microsoft’s commerce experiences, channel business models, product licensing and use rights, and support, as well as driving growth through audience-specific offers and experiences. We are seeking a Director, Business Planning to join this exciting team!

As a Director, Business Planning in the Monetization Strategy & Licensing organization, you will influence and enable the strategic initiatives that drive company performance through innovative business models, increased competitiveness, and an enhanced customer and partner experience. You will partner closely with stakeholders across engineering, legal, finance, operations, marketing, and field sales to formulate strategy recommendations and drive alignment.

In this role, you will define how partners engage, add value, and grow within our direct commercial business as customers increasingly buy directly from Microsoft and adopt modern, usage-based commercial agreements. As Microsoft evolves our AI go-to-market - centered on consumption- and commitment-based models for Azure, AI, Copilot, and agents - you will shape how partners continue to grow with these customers and deliver outcomes that matter. You will also own the big-picture view of partner and channel economics and direction as more of the business moves direct over time, helping ensure a healthy, profitable partner ecosystem for the long-term.

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.

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of data-driven business cases and strategies that define the role of partners as customers adopt modern commercial agreements and increasingly buy directly from Microsoft.

Define how partners engage and monetize in the new AI go-to-market across consumption- and commitment-based models for Azure, AI, Copilot, and agents, accelerating customer success while preserving partner value.

Own the big-picture view of partner and channel economics, business models, and ecosystem evolution as a larger share of the business shifts to direct customer engagement over time.

Develop targeted business cases, analyses, and recommendations to inform investment decisions, go-to-market strategies, and customer and partner experiences.

Drive cross-functional alignment on business vision, strategy, and priorities, translating complex ideas into clear, actionable requirements.

Conduct market, customer, and partner research to generate new insights, challenge assumptions, and validate business cases.

Bring strategy to life through roadmap development, change management planning, and compelling narratives that resonate across the organization.

Embody our Culture and Values

Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/Computer Science, Economics, Business, or related field AND 6+ years product management, strategy consulting, finance, business/corporate development, or related experience

OR equivalent experience.

Additional or preferred qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/Computer Science, Economics, Business, or related field AND 12+ years product management, strategy consulting, finance, business/corporate development, or related experience

OR Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA), or related field AND 8+ years product management, strategy consulting, finance, business/corporate development, or related experience

OR equivalent experience.

3+ years’ experience in the cloud computing industry, partner channel, and/or commercial licensing and monetization.

Experience with commercial licensing and monetization models and/or new AI commercial models (consumption, Copilot, and agents), and familiarity with partner and channel economics.

Experience engaging cross-functional stakeholders to build credibility and partnership quickly.

Experience presenting compelling stories/ideas at the executive level.

Business Planning IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $130,900 - $251,900 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $165,600 - $272,300 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

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