Business Development Manager

Summary

Join Version 1 as a Business Development Manager (Microsoft) and drive new business growth through strategic partnerships. You will build and maintain strong relationships with Microsoft teams, securing new opportunities and delivering measurable revenue. Key responsibilities include partner relationship management, driving new business and co-sell opportunities, marketing and go-to-market enablement, and performance metric achievement. You will collaborate with internal teams and Microsoft to develop joint strategies and execute successful campaigns. Regular reporting on KPIs and partnership progress to senior leadership is also expected. This role requires strong knowledge of Microsoft's structure and partner programs, proven expertise in partner management and business development, and excellent communication skills.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft’s organizational structure, partner programs, and commercial approach
• Proven expertise in partner management, business development, co-selling, and commercial negotiation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to engage executive-level stakeholders effectively
• Skilled networker, capable of building senior relationships within Microsoft and customer organizations
• Proficient in CRM tools for forecasting, tracking, and sales analysis
• Ability to perform in competitive, high-pressure sales environments and meet deadlines

Responsibilities

• Partner Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with Microsoft teams, creating connections that contribute to sales opportunities
• Execute partner strategies to promote company capabilities and showcase success stories
• Lead meetings, events, and sessions with Microsoft to foster joint successes
• Attend industry events to strengthen networks within the Microsoft ecosystem
• Facilitate quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with Microsoft and internal stakeholders
• Driving New Business and Co-Sell Opportunities: Work closely with internal Business Development and Account Directors on joint account planning to identify and pursue opportunities
• Generate referrals and new leads from Microsoft, ensuring timely follow-up and accurate CRM tracking
• Provide account teams with insights and joint strategies from Microsoft to advance and close opportunities
• Use CRM data to track pipeline, forecast revenue, and support strategic decisions
• Marketing and Go-to-Market Enablement: Collaborate with Marketing on joint initiatives with Microsoft, securing funding and aligning messaging to generate leads
• Deliver targeted demand-generation campaigns to drive incremental growth
• Performance Metrics: Achieve KPIs, including revenue from the Microsoft partnership, number of referrals, pipeline growth, and partner-influenced sales
• Provide regular reports on KPIs, pipeline health, and partnership progress to senior leadership
• Team Contribution: Actively contribute as a member of the Microsoft Hub, supporting colleagues and fostering a high-performing, collaborative environment

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in a partner management or business development role with a focus on Microsoft
• Knowledge of the UK technology market, especially digital, data, and cloud services

Benefits

• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme
• Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more
• Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies
• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat
• Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & ‘Call-Out’ platform
• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes