Are you passionate about empowering university research faculty and post-docs with the skills to succeed in this era of AI? Come be a part of a team that's dedicated to charting the course for an educated, innovative, and AI-fluent society. If you join Microsoft Worldwide Learning, you will join an organization whose mission is to inspire every person and every organization on the planet to maximize their growth through learning.
We’re looking for a strategic and hands-on individual contributor to lead how Microsoft engages with university researchers and postdoctoral scholars globally. As the Academic Researchers Initiatives Lead, you’ll design and drive programs that make academic researchers feel uniquely valued and connected to Microsoft—especially in the evolving landscape of AI.
You’ll operate at the intersection of research, technology, and community, leading cross-functional initiatives and surfacing insights that shape our academic engagement strategy. This role is for someone who thrives on building relationships, managing complex projects, and translating academic needs into scalable, impactful programs.
With minimal guidance you will be expected to define and execute a global strategy to engage university researchers and postdocs in meaningful, innovative ways. Further, you will be expected to ensure alignment, buy in, and adoption of initiatives across Microsoft to drive success.
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.
- Program Planning and Development: Develops, guides, and manages initiatives by identifying audience needs, securing resources, evangelizing with senior stakeholders, and prioritizing work.
- Initiative Leadership: Design and lead initiatives that support research adoption of Microsoft technologies, including AI and Copilot.
- Jobs-to-be-Done Development: Define and continuously refine the “jobs to be done” for academic researchers engaging with Microsoft—ensuring programs, tools, and partnerships align with their evolving needs and research goals.
- AI & Copilot Readiness: Develop initiatives to help researchers and their labs skill up on Copilot and integrate AI into their work.
- Researcher Enablement: Drive adoption of Microsoft tools and platforms within academic labs and research communities.
- Storytelling & Social Engagement: Collaborate with marketing and social teams to highlight researcher stories and lab collaborations across social platforms.
- Insights & Impact: Gather and analyze feedback, research trends, and program data to inform strategy and measure success.
- Project Management: Lead the planning and execution of global initiatives, ensuring clear timelines, stakeholder alignment, and measurable outcomes.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Microsoft Research, product teams, education, and university relations to align academic initiatives with broader company goals.
- Embody our Culture and Values
Required/Minimum Qualifications
- Vocational qualification or higher education degree (e.g., Bachelor's Degree) AND/OR 5+ years experience in Learning and Development, relevant technical roles, business development, field or sales, HR, customer success, collection management, research/restoration evaluation, industry, or program/project management
- OR Master's Degree or equivalent AND/OR 3+ years experience in Learning and Development, relevant technical roles, business development, quota management, human resources (HR), customer success, collection management, research/restoration evaluation, industry, or program/project management
- OR equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of experience designing and leading academic research engagement programs.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications
- Vocational qualification or higher education degree (e.g., Bachelor's Degree) AND 8+ years experience in Learning and Development, relevant technical roles, business development, field or sales, HR, customer success, collection management, research/restoration evaluation, industry, or program/project management
- OR Master's Degree or equivalent AND 6+ years experience in Learning and Development, relevant technical roles, business development, field or sales, human resources (HR), customer success, collection management, research/restoration evaluation, industry, or program/project management
- OR equivalent experience.
- Microsoft Fundamentals, Coaching (e.g., International Coaching Federation), Project and/or Program Management Professional, archival, or a similar certificate.
- Demonstrates commitment to career development and continuous or consistent learning through formal and informal efforts (e.g., change management, design thinking, management training, online courses).
- Deep understanding of university researchers’ needs, motivations, and research lifecycles.
- Project management skills with the ability to manage complex, cross-functional initiatives.
- Experience working in a global, collaborative environment.
- Passion for AI, research, and academic partnerships.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.
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