Account Technology Strategist

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.

The **Account Technology Strategist
- ATS** is at the forefront of our AI transformation efforts for our customers. They work exclusively to dissect the industry of a specific customer, map industry trends to the technical foundation, understand and translate where the customer wants to go, and orchestrate resources to make that vision a reality. Improvement is a given and disruption a must for the ATS. Their technical acumen and industry expertise enable the customer to do business like never before. They are members of a team that aspires for the line-of-business platform to be based on Microsoft Azure, Modern Workplace solutions, and Microsoft Dynamics 365, while simultaneously respecting legacy platforms as needed.

The ATS reports to the Sales Manager and is the owner of the CIO/CTO relationship and contributor to the CEO/CFO relationship owned by their peer, the Account Executive. As an Account Technology Strategist (ATS), consider yourself a dedicated virtual CTO who has mastered your customer’s industry and related key scenarios.

**Responsibilities**:
**Customer and Industry Insights**:

- Synthesizes and combines various business and industry insights from their team, global best practices, proof points from experience/case studies with countries and/or regions, and deep industry expertise (e.g., level 200) related to customers and their competitors to conduct forecasting and develop recommendations for managing accounts and subsidiary planning. Ensures that all levels of the organization challenge customers to consider alternatives and adapt strategies, plans, business models, and solutions to insights. Orchestrates cross-regional teams to gather information, collaborate on performance markers, and identify potential risks in customer accounts. Oversees technical teams for driving opportunities with others, as necessary. Brings in business and industry insights to address the broader business challenges for the customer and deliver solutions.
- Applies expertise (deep expertise across few accounts or broad expertise across many accounts) and thought leadership to identify and inform the development of the right Industry Sales Kits and industry partners within the customer's vertical industry. Articulates and understands specific industry-related market trends, as well as customer threats, opportunities, and barriers to growth as they relate to the customer's broader industry. Leverages industry trends from other industries to gather insights and develop an informed perspective on similar issues that may occur within their industry/industries. Applies industry knowledge to support customers in solving issues.

**Trusted Advisor**:

- Provides Account thought leadership inclusive of information technology (IT), business strategy knowledge, and technology landscape, and shares best practices internally while providing coaching to subsidiary resources. Leverages account thought leadership in partnership with account executives to set strategy, own accountability for outcomes, and lead extended teams. Provides technical guidance to internal teams to position technology while using customer landscape knowledge. Creates connections and feedback loops with Product and Engineering teams.
- Creates security thought leadership with the customer's executives (e.g., technical decision maker [TDM]/business decision maker [BDM]) using the Microsoft Security and Zero Trust narratives and engages TDM and BDM stakeholders to position security as a business enabler and instill a security mindset in all aspects of the customer's technology landscape. Uses their understanding of the customers' technology and security needs to establish Microsoft’s security credentials and to build opportunities to improve the customer's security posture and orchestrates execution through security specialists.
- Leverages a broad knowledge of Microsoft's product landscape, solutions, and strategy to address customer's needs. Proactively coordinates with internal and external network of industry experts (e.g., Regional Experts, industry-specific partners) to build strong knowledge of the industry and the competitive landscape. Drives and leverages leaders from the partner ecosystem to bridge process gaps. Leverages deep understanding of their customer to share knowledge with extended team and leverages advanced knowledge of competitors to promote customer business perspectives. Partners with others (e.g., enterprise-channel managers) to provide sponsorship and increase impact.
- Acts as the voice of the customer, industry, and internal advocate by providing insi