Partner and Alliance Manager – Microsoft
Who are we?
Ensono is a well-funded private equity backed business headquartered in the USA that is expanding its presence internationally. We pride ourselves on delivering focused complex managed hosting and cloud infrastructure services and solutions, unleashing our clients across all industry sectors to ‘operate for today and optimise for tomorrow’, simplifying complex business challenges and delivering immediate value.
Due to the ongoing success of our UK & Europe partner function we are hiring for a Microsoft Partner Alliance Manger. The role will play a pivotal part in the focus and commitment of our public cloud strategy and ensure we fulfill and continue to grow in our role as a Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Service Provider (MSP).
Our Purpose: To be a relentless ally, disrupting the status quo, enabling our clients to do great things.
About the role and what you'll be doing:
The ideal candidate will have an experienced background in managing global public cloud partners e.g. Microsoft, firm knowledge of the structures, how to work with those partners and experience in ensuring compliance to their processes and governance models. Responsible for the overall day to day running of the strategic relationship, the success of the role will be measured against the revenue target to be achieved, the success and commitment of the agreed annual joint business plan coupled with the quality of the overall relationship, pipeline created via the Microsoft Partner channel, events and meetings organised along with bookings for sales.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Own and manage the strategic relationship with Microsoft on a day-to-day basis, ensuring the right relationships and program activities are in place to drive maximum revenue growth and achieve wider status goals.
- Define a clear strategy for partner engagement, setting objectives, and prioritising partnership opportunities.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders at Ensono to take ownership of the partner business plan. Act as the primary point of contact to support the marketing, , sales, and technical teams, ensuring they are fully informed and aligned with the plan.
- Represent Ensono within Microsoft by conducting regular meetings and face-to-face meetings at their offices.
- Conduct formal partner reviews internally and with Microsoft and take ownership of regular KPI tracking and reporting.
- Drive lead generation through partners and account mapping activities to generate new business for Ensono.
- Work alongside new logo and client partner sales teams to drive sales engagement, ensuring alignment with the correct account and/or technical specialist team.
- Align with internal and external marketing teams to ensure all agreed roadmap activities are on track.
- Manage Partnercentre by recording all Ensono opportunities with Microsoft in the portal, ensuring funding or incentive discussions have taken place and submissions are made where appropriate. Keep the portal up to date to reflect the current sales stages.
- Support the ongoing technical training needs of Microsoft by promoting regular internal training sessions to enhance the team's technical knowledge, which supports Ensono in meeting certification requirements for various initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Global Alliance Team to achieve accreditation and specialisation with Microsoft, ensuring all necessary requirements are met.
- Organise regular events with the partner for Ensono, utilising the available budget pots and proactively create a roadmap and collaborate with Sales and Marketing to develop a cohesive events plan
Skills
- A self starter with exceptional relationship building skills
- Skilled in problem-solving and handling ambiguity
- Methodical with a keen attention to detail
- Diligent and capable of managing multiple tasks and priorities effectively
- Excellent communication skills, both internal and external
- Comfortable engaging in executive-level conversations
- Possesses a 'can do' attitude with a focus on achieving results
Experience
- Extensive experience working with public cloud partners, ideally Microsoft and the public cloud industry, or in a similar relevant role
- Demonstrated success in driving new revenue streams
- Proven track record of managing large, complex global partners and meeting their expectations
- Confident in collaborating with both our team and Microsoft's key stakeholders to ensure tasks are completed on time and to the highest quality standard
- Skilled in driving strategic partner messaging into sales, marketing, and product teams
- Experience working with strategic partner programs
- Proven ability to build pipeline and generate leads through partners
- Expertise in creating and fostering new relationships that provide mutual business benefits
Our benefits include:
- The ability to work from a range of flexible locations
- Prestigous sales and broader team recognition with Annual Presidents Club
- Starting with 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) – accruing to 30
- 1/2 day leave on your birthday
- Sabbatical options at 5 & 10 years service
- Private healthcare for you and your family
- Enhanced paternity and maternity leave
- Equity appreciation program incentive plan
- Life and income protection
- Additional perks such as discounted gym memberships, cycle scheme, EAP and more!
If this all sounds great, we’d love to hear from you!