Microsoft

Do you want to help scale out Microsoft Research’s most ambitious innovations? We seek a Senior Research Technical Program Manager for the Microsoft Research Accelerator team, to help us build the future for Microsoft and the world. 

Microsoft Research (MSR) aims to accelerate scientific discovery and technology innovation to empower everyone on the planet to achieve more. As an integral part of Microsoft Research, the MSR Accelerator team collaborates across Microsoft to advance future-focused research and accelerate its impact across intersections of Science & Technology, Business and Society. 

As a Senior Research Technical Program Manager, you will bring your passion and experience to help accelerate research. In this role, you’ll drive strategy and execution to accelerate business impact from future-focused, disruptive research initiatives across MSR. You will be working closely with leading scientists and engineers at MSR, and other Microsoft teams, to incubate ambitious new projects; develop strategy and roadmaps aligned with partner teams; drive project execution; and amplify the work to internal and external audiences.

To be successful in this role, you will have have a growth mindset, business acumen, and some familiarity with research culture, along with experience driving go-to-market accountabilities. You will need to be persistent, creative, and comfortable with navigating ambiguity. Because you are deeply collaborative, you’ll be able to work with a network of experts at the exciting forefront of today’s rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing, with plenty of room to contribute to new innovations at Microsoft. Further, you will be a self-starter with leadership experience at the intersection of business strategy and advanced technology. 

In this role, you’ll drive incubation strategy and execution to accelerate business impact from future-focused, disruptive research initiatives across MSR. The scope of this role spans MSR’s areas of research, including generative artificial intelligence (AI), systems and networking, augmented reality, sustainability, natural and life sciences, social sciences and many more. You will cultivate internal and external partnerships, conduct, and share landscape analysis and market research to surface opportunities across Microsoft’s Customer Solution Areas (CSAs) and work directly with research teams to achieve impactful tech transfers and otherwise create value for Microsoft and our customers and partners.

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. 

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day. 

This role presents many diverse opportunities for impact, some of which include: 

• Surface actionable insights from research and analysis of emerging industry trends, competitive landscapes, and potential growth opportunities related to AI and advanced computing technologies. 
• Together with MSR Accelerator colleagues, work directly with selected MSR research teams to create business plans and technology roadmaps, and plans of action with measurable goals and key milestones. 
• Drive execution and go-to-market accountabilities for selected research incubation efforts. 
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Microsoft to identify business strategies for sustained growth of selected incubation tech transfer efforts. 
• Assess and communicate the outcomes of tech transfer efforts, and the impact of MSR more broadly, across Microsoft’s Customer Solutions Areas (CSA). 
• Drive engagement cadences with key internal stakeholders (e.g., Business Development, and create internal advocacy around high-potential research directions.
• Embody our culture and values.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 4+ years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development  
• OR equivalent experience.  
• 2+ years experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
• Experience using data to drive prioritization and to measure progress.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Computer Science, Business, Engineering, or a related field - or equivalent practical experience.  
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with senior executives and customers. Demonstrated experience influencing with and without authority.  

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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