Microsoft is seeking a Senior Director, Business Development to lead Business Development across Asia (excluding India), driving strategic partnerships and market development initiatives that accelerate Microsoft's cloud, AI, sovereign infrastructure, and platform ambitions across one of the world's most dynamic regions.
This highly visible leadership role sits at the intersection of product strategy, commercial innovation, geopolitical evolution, and ecosystem development. The successful candidate will identify and develop transformational partnership opportunities that strengthen Microsoft's position with governments, digital-native companies, telecommunications providers, cloud operators, AI leaders, system integrators, and strategic industry partners across Asia.
As the regional Corporate BD leader, you will be responsible for shaping Microsoft's long-term partnership strategy, leading some of the company's most complex and strategically important opportunities, and serving as a trusted advisor to senior executives across Engineering, Product, Finance, Business Development, and Field stakeholders. You will operate in highly ambiguous and rapidly evolving environments that require strategic thinking, executive presence, strong commercial judgment, and the ability to influence without authority across a broad set of internal and external stakeholders.
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
Regional Strategy & Market Development
- Lead Microsoft's Business Development strategy across Asia (excluding India), identifying opportunities to accelerate growth, expand ecosystem participation, and drive strategic differentiation.
- Anticipate geopolitical, regulatory, sovereignty, and competitive market shifts and translate these into actionable partnership strategies.
- Develop and drive regional partnership priorities in close collaboration with Engineering, Finance, and Field leadership.
- Act as a key voice representing Asia market needs and opportunities into Microsoft's global strategy and investment discussions.
Strategic Partnerships
- Originate, negotiate, and execute high-impact partnerships that unlock new customer segments, strengthen Microsoft's platform ecosystem, or create significant strategic advantage.
- Lead complex multi-party negotiations involving governments, strategic investors, telecommunications providers, sovereign entities, AI ecosystem participants, and technology partners.
- Structure innovative commercial models, strategic alliances, ecosystem agreements, co-investment frameworks, and market-expansion partnerships.
- Serve as Microsoft's executive-level representative in critical external engagements throughout the region.
AI, Cloud & Sovereign Growth
- Drive strategic opportunities related to AI infrastructure, cloud platform expansion, sovereign cloud models, digital sovereignty requirements, AI ecosystem development, and emerging technology platforms.
- Identify new routes to market that accelerate Azure, AI Platform, Security, and future-growth businesses.
- Partner with Engineering and Product teams to shape investments that improve Microsoft's competitiveness and relevance across Asia.
Executive Leadership & Influence
- Build alignment across senior leaders and executive stakeholders, often in situations involving competing priorities or significant ambiguity.
- Develop business cases, market analyses, investment recommendations, and strategic narratives that influence decision-making at the senior leadership level.
- Represent Asia Business Development in leadership reviews, strategy discussions, and executive forums.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Business Development professionals across the region.
- Establish a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and customer obsession.
- Mentor BD talent and contribute to strengthening Microsoft's broader Business Development capability worldwide.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 12+ years of experience in business development, corporate development, corporate strategy, investment banking, strategy consulting, venture capital, product strategy, or related disciplines.
- OR equivalent experiences.
- 5+ years of people management experience.
- Significant experience leading complex strategic partnerships and commercial negotiations, ideally within Asia region.
- Experience engaging with executive and C-suite stakeholders across multiple countries and cultures.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MBA, Master's, or equivalent) with preferably 15+ years of relevant experiences.
- Experience in cloud computing, AI, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, platform ecosystems, or technology partnerships.
- Deep understanding of sovereignty, regulatory, technology policy, or public-private partnership models.
- Track record of creating new business opportunities, shaping market strategy, and delivering transformational business outcomes.
- Demonstrated success influencing senior leaders and driving outcomes across highly matrixed organizations.
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.
Microsoft Singapore, Singapore, SGP Office
182 Cecil ST, #13-01, Singapore, Singapore, 069547
