Microsoft

Director of Sales Readiness

Microsoft • $130K — $251K *
Chicago, IL 60629In-Person
Consumer Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years experience in sales, operations, account management, or related fields.
  • 5+ years of data-driven decision-making experience.
  • 5+ years of relationship management with clients or stakeholders.
  • 3+ years in a people management role.
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field preferred.
  • 5+ years of project management or change management experience preferable.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional and complex programs.

Responsibilities

  • Build and inspire a diverse team while modeling company values.
  • Set team direction, prioritize tasks, and provide constructive feedback.
  • Lead sales readiness strategies and ensure clear execution plans.
  • Partner with various teams to align on growth opportunities and market needs.
  • Control the readiness system connecting strategic inputs to field action.
  • Identify execution blockers with sales leaders to enhance efficiency.
  • Communicate effectively with senior leadership and field audiences.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Retirement savings plan with company matching.
  • Paid time off and holidays.
  • Professional development and training opportunities.
  • Work-life balance promotion initiatives.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities
  • People Leadership
    • Build, inspire, and retain a high-performing, diverse team by modeling Microsoft's culture and values, coaching for clarity and capability, and caring for each person's growth and success.
    • Set clear direction and priorities, hold the team accountable to outcomes, give candid and timely feedback, and create an inclusive environment where people do their best work and grow their careers.
  • Readiness Strategy & Planning Leadership
    • Define and lead the Sales enablement readiness strategy across the horizontal frameworks that support all sales motions (accounts and billing, change management, seasonal moments, and sales touchpoints, communications and operational programs), ensuring priorities are translated into clear execution plans with defined outcomes, owners, and timelines.
    • Partner with Demand Planning, Sales Strategy and Business Planning to align on growth opportunities, market and segment priorities, seasonal moments, and field needs that shape proactive readiness plans.
    • Establish a repeatable rhythm of business for planning, execution, measurement, and feedback so readiness work is prioritized, sequenced, and adjusted based on business impact and field adoption.
  • Field Execution, Adoption & Business Impact
    • Own the end-to-end readiness system that connects strategic inputs to field action, including readiness plans, execution guidance, launch support, sales communications, tool adoption, and success measurement.
    • Partner with Field Sales Excellence and Sales Leaders to identify where sellers need clarity, where blockers are slowing execution, and where processes or resources are required to remove friction and accelerate revenue impact.
    • Define measurement and accountability mechanisms that keep stakeholders aligned on adoption, execution progress, field feedback, and business outcomes without shifting ownership from partner teams.
  • Cross-Functional Orchestration & Sales Guidance
    • Partner with corporate teams to surface MSA billing challenges, influence scalable process improvements, and maintain seller-facing Accounts & Billing resources and education.
    • Build an annual seasonal moments calendar with vertical Readiness Leads, Business Planning, Demand Planning, Marketing, and Sales LT; orchestrate required artifacts and ensure consistent field landing.
    • Program-manage seller-facing change initiatives in partnership with sales motion-aligned Readiness Leads, ensuring each effort has clear ownership, readiness plans, adoption expectations, and field landing support.
    • Manage and evolve core sales readiness touchpoints and channels to drive seller awareness; govern how partner content is submitted, prioritized, and distributed; and ensure seller feedback is collected, routed, and shared back with stakeholders and sales.
  • Strategic Communication & Influence
    • Reinforce the team's identity as trusted advisors to sales and Readiness leaders.
    • Communicate effectively with senior leadership, technical teams, and field audiences, both verbally and in writing.
    • Craft compelling context that connects strategic priorities and product capabilities to customer value and business outcomes.
  • Program & Cross-Functional Leadership
    • Lead large-scale, cross-functional programs with end-to-end ownership, from problem definition through execution and measurement.
    • Establish clear documentation, operating rhythms, and success measures to manage complex program portfolios.
    • Proactively manage stakeholder expectations, dependencies, and risks while maintaining momentum and trust.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
  • 8+ years experience with active participation in sales, sales operations/management, account management, program management, business development, marketing, consulting, or a related field
    • OR equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of experience using data to drive business outcomes or inform business decisions.
  • 5+ years of experience managing relationships with stakeholders, clients, and/or customers.
  • 3+ years people management experience.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
  • 5+ years managing projects, including planning, managing timelines, and tracking progress, and/or change management experience.
  • Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional programs that span multiple teams, stakeholders, or feature areas, with demonstrated ability to define strategy, evaluate customer and market signals, and prioritize initiatives across a portfolio of work.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify unmet or emerging customer needs through both quantitative (e.g., usage data, telemetry, operational metrics) and qualitative (e.g., customer interviews, listening systems, market trends) insights and translate those needs into scalable solutions or program improvements.
  • Ability to operate effectively in highly ambiguous environments, independently scoping problems, defining success criteria, and driving execution across organizational boundaries.
  • Solid analytical and communication skills, with the ability to use data to tell compelling stories and influence decision-making at multiple levels of the organization.
  • Proven track record of exceptional performance, high productivity and meeting deadlines in a leadership role; high personal accountability for self and others.
  • Experience in digital advertising, understanding the way customers buy, sellers sell, and what's required to enable that output.


#MicrosoftAI #MSA

Sales Excellence M5 - 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:
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.

About Microsoft

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services. Microsoft’s devices and consumer (D&C) licensing segment licenses the Windows operating system and related software, Microsoft Office for consumers, and the Windows Phone operating system. The company’s computing and gaming hardware segment provides Xbox gaming and entertainment consoles and accessories, second-party and third-party video games, and Xbox Live subscriptions; surface devices and accessories; and Microsoft PC accessories. Its phone hardware segment offers Lumia smartphones and other non-Lumia phones. Its D&C segment provides Windows Store, Xbox Live transactions, and Windows phone store; search advertising; display advertising; Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal; first-party video games; and other consumer products and services as well as operating retail stores. Microsoft’s commercial licensing segments license server products, including Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses (CALs); Windows Embedded; Windows operating system; Microsoft Office for business, including Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, and related CALs; Microsoft Dynamics business solutions; and Skype. Its commercial segment offers enterprise services, including premier support services and Microsoft consulting services; commercial cloud comprising Office 365 Commercial, other Microsoft Office online offerings, Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Azure; and other commercial products and online services. The company markets and distributes its products through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as online.

Microsoft Careers

Join Microsoft today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and diversity in its workforce. As a global leader in technology and digital transformation, Microsoft offers unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career to new heights.

Explore Career Opportunities at Microsoft

Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a recent graduate eager to start your career, Microsoft has a position that suits your skills and ambitions. We are committed to fostering a culture of growth and learning, where every team member is supported in expanding their horizons.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Microsoft internship. Our internships provide invaluable workplace experience and networking opportunities in a supportive and dynamic environment. You'll work on real projects, learn from industry leaders, and gain the skills necessary for a successful career in technology.

Employment Benefits

Choosing a career at Microsoft means more than just a job. Our employees enjoy a range of benefits designed to empower them both professionally and personally. These include comprehensive health benefits, flexible working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement through professional development and diversity training.

Inclusive Culture and Diversity

At Microsoft, we believe that innovation comes from diversity of thought and inclusion. We are committed to a workplace where everyone feels valued and inspired. Our leadership is dedicated to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives lead to breakthrough innovations and a competitive edge.

Grow with Us

Career growth at Microsoft is about more than climbing the corporate ladder; it's about continuous learning, expanding your skills, and improving your capabilities. With access to various leadership and training programs, you can evolve as a professional and make a significant impact within the company and on the global stage.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to identify true potential. Starting with a review of your resume, followed by interviews that assess your problem-solving abilities and cultural fit, we ensure that all candidates have a fair chance to demonstrate their strengths and potential to contribute to our team.

Networking and Professional Development

Microsoft is a place where you can build a professional network that spans the globe. Our employees benefit from connections with top-tier professionals and industry leaders, which opens doors to innovative projects and collaborative opportunities that are second to none.

Join Our Team

If you're ready to take on exciting challenges and make a difference in the world of technology, explore the job opportunities at Microsoft. Search for open positions that match your skills and interests, and prepare to embark on a rewarding career path filled with innovation and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Microsoft Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Get tailored content that aligns with your career preferences and discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Microsoft.

SEARCH MICROSOFT JOBS

At Microsoft, your future is limitless. Join us in our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Your journey with Microsoft starts here.
Learn more about Microsoft
Size
181,000 employees
Market Cap
$1,762.4 billion
Industry
Enterprise Technology
Net Income
$51.3 billion
Founded
1975
5 Year Trend
+15.5%
Revenue
$153.2 billion
NASDAQ
MSFT
* Ladders Estimates

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Microsoft

More Consumer Technology Jobs

Find similar Director of Sales Readiness jobs:

NationwideChicago, IL