Education Strategy & Compete Leader, Microsoft Elevate

Overview

Microsoft Elevate is seeking a global leader to drive our Education Strategy & Compete function at a pivotal moment in the AI transformation of education.

The Education Strategy & Compete Leader, Microsoft Elevate will shape and execute Microsoft's end-to-end K-12 education strategy and lead a coordinated, cross-company effort to compete and win at scale. This role operates across Microsoft Elevate, CELA more broadly, Engineering, Marketing, and Worldwide Public Sector to ensure a unified strategy, a differentiated platform narrative, and disciplined execution in the market.

This leader will play a central role in helping education institutions move from fragmented AI pilots to scaled, governed deployments that improve learning outcomes at scale.

Why This Role Matters

• Education is the front line for AI adoption, where future workforce capability and trust in AI are established
• The next several years will determine which company defines the AI platform standard in education globally
• Competitive intensity is increasing across major platforms and AI-native players, requiring a more coordinated and proactive compete strategy

This role ensures Microsoft leads-not follows-by aligning strategy, upstream engagement, and field execution to win the platform decision.

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

1. Define and Drive Global Education Strategy

• Lead the refinement and execution of Microsoft's K-12 education strategy aligned to the AI platform opportunity
• Translate strategy into clear priorities, OKRs, and execution plans across Elevate and partner organizations
• Partner with policy and government affairs teams to position Microsoft as the trusted AI platform for education

2. Drive One Microsoft Alignment

• Orchestrate execution across Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Policy, and Partner teams
• Establish and lead the One Microsoft Education Council (initially K-12 focused)
• Ensure a unified, outcome-driven platform narrative and reduce fragmentation across offerings

3. Lead the End-to-End Compete Motion

• Stand up and lead the Education Compete Team (Industry Advisors + deal strategists)
• Orchestrate high-value win rooms for state, national, and global opportunities
• Develop and deploy repeatable compete plays and counter-narratives
• Drive measurable improvements in win rate, market share, and platform adoption

4. Shape Government Strategy & Demand (Upstream Engagement)

• Engage governments, ministries of education, and policymakers early to shape national and regional AI-enabled education strategies
• Position Microsoft as a strategic transformation partner, not just a technology provider
• Influence AI adoption frameworks, standards, and funding priorities aligned to Microsoft's platform strengths

5. Accelerate Platform Adoption & Transformation

• Drive the transition from AI experimentation to institution-wide scaled deployment
• Focus on high-value scenarios across teaching, student success, and institutional operations
• Build flagship customer showcases and evidence of measurable impact

6. Establish Insight & Feedback Loops

• Bring real-time insights from field, customers, and partners into strategy development
• Monitor competitive dynamics, policy changes, and market trends
• Provide executive-level recommendations to senior leadership

Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years experience in business consulting, sales, sales operations, information technology (IT), account management, business development, marketing, IT field sales, or a related field

• OR equivalent experience.

• 6+ years experience in in Near Term Strategy (2 years out), Management Consulting, Sales, or Finance.

• 4+ years people management experience.

Additional or preferred qualifications

• Masters Degree in Business Administration or related field AND 6+ years of marketing, strategy, sales, sales leadership, program management, project management, business planning, consulting, banking, finance, economics, and/or partner organization experience

• OR Bachelors Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years of marketing, strategy, sales, sales leadership, program management, project management, business planning, consulting, finance, economics, and/or partner organization experience with an emphasis on large scope projects partnering with senior leadership

• OR equivalent experience.

• Significant experience in strategy, go-to-market, or industry leadership (education or public sector preferred)

• Proven track record leading complex, cross-company initiatives without direct authority

• Deep expertise in competitive strategy and large deal orchestration

• Experience engaging with government stakeholders and policy environments

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders

• Experience working across engineering, sales, policy, and partner ecosystems

• Background in AI, cloud, or platform-based business models

• Demonstrated ability to drive market-shaping initiatives and ecosystem partnerships

• Passion for education transformation and AI-driven impact at global scale

Sales Strategy Enablement M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $155,800 - $277,200 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 $202,400 - $303,600 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

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.