Are you passionate about transforming education through technology and partnerships? As the Partner Program Lead for the K-12 Education sector, you will lead the strategy, execution, and growth of Microsoft’s partner ecosystem to empower schools and education systems with the full breadth of the Microsoft Cloud—spanning Cloud & AI Platforms, AI Business Processes, AI Workforce, and Security. As the Partner Programs Leader, you will drive Microsoft’s scale Education Kindergarten to Year 12 sector strategy across diverse Microsoft and Partner sales teams, engines, and routes to market WW, tightly integrated with Microsoft’s cloud solution areas and marketing motions. You’ll provide guidance to our regional partner teams to accelerate customer acquisition and growth with Partner align and collaborate with global and local cross-functional stakeholders, and deliver measurable business outcomes aligned to AI adoption, cloud platform consumption, security usage and AI skills. This leadership role is your opportunity to amplify sharp strategic planning, deep partner ecosystem expertise, and a customer and partner-first mindset to unlock digital AI transformation at scale. This role is for a strategic, collaborative leader with deep experience in partner management, program design, and education transformation. You will work across global partner teams, field sellers, and solution areas to accelerate digital equity, learning outcomes, and operational efficiency through partner-led innovation. **Responsibilities** Partner Strategy & Planning: + Design and execute multi-year partner strategies that align with K-12 education priorities and Microsoft’s cloud roadmap, including Azure-based Cloud & AI Platforms, Dynamics 365 and Power Platform (AI Business Processes), Microsoft 365 and Copilot (AI Workforce), and Microsoft Security solutions. Program Development & Execution + Build and scale partner programs that drive school and district engagement, AI adoption, and solution deployment—leveraging Microsoft’s cloud platforms and the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) model.Ecosystem Enablement + Enable and grow a robust ecosystem of education-focused partners. Guide partners through transformation journeys, co-sell motions, and go-to-market campaigns across all Microsoft Cloud solution areas. Scenario-Led Innovation + Champion key K-12 scenarios such as personalized learning and student success (AI Business Processes), secure hybrid learning environments (Security), scalable infrastructure and data insights (Cloud & AI Platforms), and educator productivity and classroom transformation (AI Workforce).Cross-Functional Collaboration + Partner with global and regional stakeholders across sales, marketing, engineering, and education strategy teams to align investments, messaging, and execution. Impact Measurement + Define and track KPIs that reflect partner performance, school reach, and education-aligned outcomes—grounded in data and insights. Other + Embody our culture and values **Qualifications** Required/minimum qualifications + Bachelor's Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 6+ years experience in partner strategy, practice development, business development or program managementt + OR equivalent experience. + Experience in partner strategy, practice development, business development or program management. + Experience in developing partner ecosystems for cloud computing services or AI services in K-12 education sector driving revenue generation or workload consumption augmentation. Additional or preferred qualifications + A proven track record of owning business topline metrics and delivering tangible business results. + Experience in creating and driving programs/businesses in the field required. + People management experience developing and coaching talent. + Analytical skills to analyze financial business performance, identify market trends to proactively discover opportunities and develop useful insights from data. + Ability and high comfort degree to handle and thrive in ambiguous business situations. + Adaptable and flexible to change course without disruption. + Proven record of driving storytelling and creating clarity with senior stakeholders. Business Program Management IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $116,900 - $203,600 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 $148,400 - $222,600 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 Microsoft will accept applications for the role until July 30, 2025. \#CELA 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) .