Microsoft is seeking a Director, AI Transformation Thought Leadership to help define and scale the market narrative for AI-powered business transformation. This leader will sit at the intersection of strategic research, thought leadership, executive storytelling, and marketing execution, transforming customer insights, industry trends, and emerging technology developments into influential content and scalable go-to-market programs.
The ideal candidate blends the curiosity of a researcher, the strategic rigor of a consultant, the storytelling skills of an executive communications leader, and the execution mindset of a marketer. They are fluent in AI, agentic systems, Copilots, business applications, and enterprise transformation, and can translate complex technical concepts into clear, compelling, and actionable content for executive audiences.
Most importantly, this leader knows how to bridge the gap between vision and execution. They can create thought leadership that not only inspires CIOs and business leaders, but also provides practical frameworks, implementation approaches, and tangible next steps that organizations can adopt to accelerate AI transformation.
Responsibilities
Technical Thought Leadership Strategy
- Define and execute Microsoft's thought leadership strategy for AI-powered business transformation.
- Identify emerging trends across artificial intelligence (AI), agentic systems, business applications, productivity, customer experience, and enterprise operations.
- Develop differentiated narratives that position Microsoft as a trusted source for insights on business transformation.
- Create multi-year go-to-market (GTM) thought leadership roadmaps aligned to Microsoft priorities and market opportunities.
Strategic Research and Insight Development
- Synthesize customer research, primary studies, analyst insights, market intelligence, and internal data into actionable business insights.
- Develop benchmarking frameworks, maturity models, scorecards, and other insight-based assets that help organizations assess and advance AI adoption.
- Partner with research firms, agencies, analysts, and internal stakeholders to identify emerging opportunities and customer challenges.
- Translate complex findings into recommendations that inform marketing strategy, business decisions, and field engagement.
Executive Storytelling and Content Development
- Author executive-ready Go-To-Market thought leadership content, including strategic reports, research papers, keynote narratives, executive briefs, GTM programs, scorecards, and customer-facing publications in partnership with public relations (PR) teams.
- Transform technical concepts, including AI agents, automation, Copilot experiences, enterprise platforms, and business applications, into business-focused narratives.
- Create content and Go-To-Market frameworks for Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), business decision-makers, and transformation leaders.
- Develop implementation-focused content, including operating models, transformation roadmaps, governance frameworks, adoption methodologies, token economics, and value realization approaches.
- Serve as an editorial leader, ensuring quality, credibility, and consistency across thought leadership assets for field teams and partners.
Marketing Strategy and Program Execution
- Develop and execute integrated marketing plans in collaboration with Product Marketing Managers (PMMs) to bring thought leadership programs to market.
- Lead end-to-end orchestration and support execution across agencies, communications teams, field marketing organizations, digital channels, and product marketing stakeholders.
- Manage content calendars, campaign plans, agency deliverables, budgets, timelines, and success metrics.
- Ensure research and thought leadership investments support business goals and customer engagement.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner across Product Marketing, Sales, Communications, Research, Customer Success, and executive leadership teams.
- Build alignment and drive execution across stakeholder groups.
- Present strategic recommendations and market insights to senior leadership.
- Serve as a trusted advisor on AI transformation trends, customer priorities, and market opportunities.
Qualifications
Required/minimum qualifications
- Master's Degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Business or related field AND 4+ years experience in business OR Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Business or related field AND 6+ years experience in business OR equivalent experience.
- Master's Degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Business or related field AND 8+ years marketing or sales experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Business or related field AND 12+ years experience in business OR equivalent experience.
- Understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), agentic AI systems, enterprise automation, Copilot experiences, and business transformation.
- Experience working with enterprise software, cloud technologies, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), business applications, productivity platforms, or digital transformation initiatives.
- Writing, editing, and storytelling skills with experience creating executive-level content and scorecards.
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business-focused narratives for executive audiences.
- Experience developing frameworks, playbooks, operating models, and implementation guidance that support organizations in moving from strategy to execution.
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving senior stakeholders and executive sponsors.
- Program management experience driving strategic marketing initiatives from concept through execution.
- Experience managing agencies, research partners, consultants, and external vendors.
- Communication and presentation skills with experience engaging executive audiences.
Product Marketing IC5 - 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.
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.
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