Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Skilling Strategy Lead

Overview

Global Channel Partner Sales (GCPS) is responsible for driving revenue outcomes with partners through innovative solutions at scale. The Global Partner GTM, Programs & Operations organization brings together go-to-market strategy, programs and platforms to accelerate growth and improve partner experience across partner segments.

The GCPS Partner Skilling team works across Microsoft’s Cloud & AI Platforms, AI Business Solutions and Security organizations, together with Worldwide Learning and partner-facing teams, to build certification, sales, pre-sales and delivery readiness across the partner ecosystem.

As the Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Skilling Strategy Lead, you will define and orchestrate the global skilling strategy for Independent Software Vendor partners aligned to Cloud Solution Area (CSA) priorities. You will translate business, marketplace and technical priorities into progressive learning journeys that build the capability ISVs need to develop, publish, commercialize and scale Microsoft-based solutions.

You will operate at the intersection of partner strategy, technical capability, go-to-market execution and learning design. The role requires business judgement, technical credibility and the ability to align stakeholders across highly matrixed organizations while maintaining a clear focus on measurable partner and business outcomes.

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. 

Responsibilities

Strategic Mandate

• Shift ISV skilling from disconnected content consumption to a programmatic, role-based model that builds demonstrated readiness for real-world execution.
• Align ISV learning journeys to Cloud Solution Area priorities, Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program requirements, marketplace execution, co-sell motions and partner business outcomes.
• Create a scalable global framework that combines curated digital learning with targeted co-design skilling plans for priority Skilling Managed Global Independent Software Vendor
  (GISVs)

Strategy and Portfolio Leadership

• Own the global ISV CSA skilling strategy and multi-year roadmap, connecting partner capability priorities to Cloud Solution Area strategy, Microsoft customer engagement motions and the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.
• Translate market, field and partner insights into clear skilling priorities, audience segmentation, role-based journeys and investment recommendations.
• Define the portfolio architecture across certification ready, sales ready, tech deal ready and project ready skilling, with progression from foundational knowledge to applied mastery.
• Establish a repeatable planning rhythm that aligns global strategy, regional execution and priority-partner needs while balancing depth, scale and operational capacity.

ISV Capability and Learning Journey Design

• Design end-to-end learning journeys that help ISVs build and advance their Microsoft partnership, develop differentiated solutions, publish and transact through Marketplace, and strengthen co-sell readiness.
• Partner with technical and business subject-matter experts to curate scenario-based content across priority areas such as AI and agentic solutions, data, security, developer platforms and business applications.
• Increase emphasis on applied learning through labs, technical workshops, solution design sessions, hackathons and partner-as-customer-zero experiences.
• Ensure content is relevant to ISV business models, including solution architecture, multi-tenancy, responsible AI, pricing and monetization, value proposition, packaging, marketplace offers and repeatable growth.

Partner and Field Activation

• Co-design tailored skilling plans with a focused set of priority ISVs, connecting skills development to partner technical roadmaps, marketplace plans and agreed business goals.
• Build activation guidance, playbooks and reusable assets that enable CSA, partner development, field and regional teams to land the strategy consistently.
• Scale learning through the Partner Skilling Hub, LevelUp and other digital and partner-led channels, including localization and syndication where needed to improve reach.
• Represent ISV skilling in global planning and activation forums, communicate priorities and progress, and surface gaps, dependencies, risks and opportunities for leadership action.

Cross-Functional Orchestration

• Build trusted partnerships across Cloud Solution Area teams, Worldwide Learning, Marketplace, partner programs, engineering, marketing, sales, regional teams and partner-facing organizations.
• Proactively identify and resolve gaps or misalignment across strategy, content, delivery, investments, communications and measurement.
• Influence without direct authority, lead virtual teams and establish clear accountability, decision points and operating rhythms across interconnected workstreams.

Measurement and Business Impact

• Define success measures and targets that connect participation and readiness to capability growth, marketplace execution, designation and specialization progress, co-sell readiness and business impact.
• Create transparent scorecards and business reviews that track adoption, completion, demonstrated readiness and progress against agreed outcomes.
• Use data, learner behavior, partner feedback and field insights to continuously improve learning design, portfolio priorities and activation tactics.
• Communicate concise executive updates that highlight results, leading indicators, investment effectiveness, decisions required and areas of opportunity or risk.

Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications

Additional or preferred qualifications

• Experience translating ISV business and technical priorities into structured strategies, roadmaps, programs or learning plans with measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in a complex, highly matrixed environment and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• operational rigor, including the ability to manage interconnected workstreams, track progress toward shared goals, identify dependencies and risks, and consistently meet commitments.
• Demonstrated experience creating and presenting executive-ISV strategies, proposals, business reviews and recommendations.
• Executive presence and communication skills, including the ability to address difficult questions, handle constructive challenge and maintain clarity in high-pressure situations.
• Knowledge of Microsoft cloud platforms, Cloud Solution priorities, Microsoft commercial marketplace, partner programs, designations and specializations within the context of ISV Business Model.
• Experience designing ISV role-based learning journeys, partner enablement programs or technical and sales readiness initiatives at global scale.
• Experience using data and feedback to evaluate program effectiveness, improve learner progression and demonstrate business impact.

Sales Strategy Enablement IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $106,400 - $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 $137,600 - $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

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

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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.