The Microsoft Technical Strategy Manager (MTSM) plays a significant role in growing vendor revenue by driving technical intensity focused solutions, technical skilling and enablement, strategic planning, and by promoting sales enablement across the floor by effectively aligning sales plays and product marketing efforts with a technical lens and heavy focus on Azure and Dynamics. The MTSM shares their broad technical knowledge of the Microsoft platform, our competition, and the industry with customers by sharing customer and general IT landscape insights with our partners and internal sales teams.  This is a dual role, where the (MTSM) is serving both an external and internal “customer”. 

Essential Responsibilities (includes but not limited to): 

• Strategic sponsor of the relationship between Microsoft and Pax8 from a technical standpoint with Azure and Dynamics as a main focus
• Serves Product Management by:
  • Acting as overlay between Microsoft and Product/Vendor teams from a technical support standpoint
  • Support development and execution of product API’s for marketplace
• Inspire, guide and lead the core engineers and pro-service engineering team members to achieve goals set by Microsoft and Pax8 for vendor offerings
• Constantly looking for new ways to improve team productivity without adding more stress
• Dig into details and figure things out from detailed business logic to a high-level technical perspective
• Turn high level ideas and requirements into technical specifications
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with all groups in the organization over the entire product development lifecycle­ from requirements gathering to release to rollout training
• Works with Microsoft and Pax8 Vendor Team on promotions and partner programs, with a technical intensity focus:
  • Work closely with Vendor/Pax8 sales on vendor spiffs/promos within Pax8 with a focus on Azure and Dynamics
  • Bring vendor partner program perks to Pax8 partners for Azure and Dynamics
  • Proactively manage Vendor and Pax8 GTM strategy and initiatives with a technical focus on sales and enablement to drive NET New customer adds for Azure and Dynamics
  • Using PMO best practices and standards, partner with the Microsoft product/program managers to facilitate a project management process to fit their needs, and oversee and execute on that process/plan as well as provide status reports both internally and to Microsoft on a monthly basis
• Keeps Pax8 organization and partners up to date and aware of new innovations, products, and technical releases from Microsoft
• Participates in Microsoft + Pax8 Events and trainings (e.g., explaining how vendors work with Pax8 training, setting up L&L’s/other activities, etc.) with a technical intensity focus on Azure and Dynamics
• Identifies issues and makes actionable recommendations to ensure optimum vendor performance across multiple process areas including sales, marketing, support, product, billing from a technical support and enablement standpoint with API integrations, engineering and technical sales teams
• Participate in the technical releases, data requirements gathering, making recommendations in case of inaccurate or missing data for Microsoft reporting in partnership with the data team for QBR’s
• Develop, maintain, and execute Microsoft Technical skilling efforts, internal and external with a focus on Azure and Dynamics
• Assist in driving sales alignment against vendor’s organizational objectives with a technical intensity focus on Azure and Dynamics offerings
• Deliver Azure and Dynamics monthly forecasts, strategic plans, and goals for Microsoft Technical business development to Director of Microsoft Programs

Ideal Skills, Experience, and Competencies: 

• Two (2) years’ experience in Microsoft Sales, preferably IT Channel Sales
• Two (2) years’ experience in technical strategic planning and support
• Two (2) years’ experience in account management, with quote-to-cash process experience
• Four (4) years’ experience in a technical sales or engineer role
• SaaS product experience – selling, handling, processing
• Proven business acumen and the ability to be socially aware of others’ personal drivers
• Knowledge and understanding of how the Sales Channel works
• Knowledge and understanding of sales strategies (e.g., how to set up a sales floor)
• Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Partner Network
• Knowledge and deep technical understanding of Microsoft Partner ecosystem (Cloud, Products and Offerings)
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency with all Microsoft Modern Workplace products
• Ability to facilitate meetings, technical intensity trainings, and presentations
• High level of organizational skills
• High level of project managements skills

Required Education & Certifications: 

• B.S./B.A. degree in related field; or equivalent work experience

Compensation: 

• Qualified candidates can expect a salary beginning at $92,000 or more depending on experience