The era of AI is here, and businesses of all sizes are betting on Microsoft as their trusted cloud and AI partner to help them adapt to new ways of work, accelerate innovation and create new opportunities to grow and transform. Our Customer Communications team works closely with some of the most high-profile brands in the world to bring their AI transformation stories to life and showcase the power and possibility of what technology can enable in their organizations and for their own customers, employees and partners. We’re looking for a **Communications Manager** to join our team and help drive partnership stories with our top commercial customers that help people fall in love with Microsoft, the things we make and the impact we have on the world. This is an exciting role in a growing part of the business with high visibility. If you have a passion for telling stories about AI, business strategy and technology, thrive in a fast-paced environment and know what it takes to break through with influencers in today’s media landscape, we want to talk to you! In this role, you will be responsible for developing compelling customer stories that bring to life the business value of AI, including building impactful comms plans, creating content and executing on tactics that positively influence perceptions around customer announcements, partnership news and customer momentum stories. Your work will target a range of audiences, including Microsoft shareholders, industry experts, business and IT decision makers, IT pros and a variety of tech specialists. Creativity, resourcefulness, agility, confidence and negotiation skills are a must. We are looking for someone who loves both the art and science of communications, and who wants to make an impact in an area where Microsoft is shining a spotlight, together with our customers. 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** + Build and implement winning PR plans, strategies and programs. + Create and drive compelling partnership announcements together with our top commercial customers that break through with business, tech and industry media leveraging owned, earned and social channels. + Collaborate with global colleagues to help extend customer stories to our markets around the world, amplify local/regional stories at the global level, gain deeper insight into the global customer story pipeline and work closely together to drive increased impact. + Identify and execute on opportunities to tell customer stories accruing to industry trends. + Fuel commercial customer references into media trend stories, demonstrating – through the voices of our customers – how Microsoft technologies are making an impact in the world. + Work closely with sales, engineering, marketing, communications and legal teams across the company as a trusted partner and advisor. + Manage and develop spokespeople, including senior executives. + Build relationships with our most strategic customers and establish/execute long-term communications plans to drive thoughtful and unique stories together. + Lead and guide external agency teams, including for media research and engagement, as well as measurement and reporting. + Be an integral part of the Cloud Communications team, collaborating across shared goals, projects and activities. Other + Embody our culture and values **Qualifications** **Required/Minimum Qualifications** + Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or related field AND 2+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience + OR equivalent experience. **Additional or Preferred Qualifications** + Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, or related field AND 4+ years Communications, Marketing Operations, Field Operations, Program Management, Project Management, or related experience + OR equivalent experience. + 2+ years of working in technology experience. + 4+ years of experience in Communications or Public Relations. + Customer-centric, highly entrepreneurial, energetic and self-motivated with the following skills: collaboration and communication skills, ability to be nimble and flexible and adaptable to changing customer dynamics. + Results-driven and have a demonstrated ability to influence cross-group agendas (including at an executive level) and drive non-reporting teams to perform. + Willing to take on big challenges with significant growth potential. + Strategic thinker able to identify opportunities and alternatives and influence teams both inside and outside the company to execute them. Communications IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $83,400 - $167,800 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 $108,900 - $183,000 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay Microsoft will accept applications for the role until October 21, 2024 \#COMMSGROUP Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .