Overview

We are seeking an experienced, visionary leader to drive licensing strategy across a significant portion of the Microsoft product portfolio. As a Senior Business Planner, this role is designed for an independent, strategic thinker who can define the long‑term vision for licensing, influence cross‑company decision‑making, and ensure Microsoft’s licensing models evolve to meet customer needs, competitive dynamics, and market opportunities.

The ideal candidate brings understanding of product, business models, and ecosystem impacts, and knows how to translate complex considerations into clear, actionable licensing strategies. In this role, you will partner across Business Planning, Finance, Sales, Legal, and Product teams to design licensing frameworks, build business cases, and create growth opportunities for the business. You’ll evaluate market dynamics, customer behavior, and financial insights to inform your strategy and influence executive decision making.

This is a high‑visibility opportunity for someone with a background in product management, pricing, contracting, consulting, or portfolio strategy who can translate structured thinking into scaled impact.

The Licensing & Contracting Strategy team leads the evolution and modernization of our commercial business models, contracting, and licensing strategies to shape how our field, partners, and customers engage with our commercial experience. We foster an inclusive and diverse culture of individuals who can grow their careers in a supportive environment.

If you’ve honed your craft in product management, pricing strategy, marketing, contracting, or management consulting, this is a high visibility opportunity to translate structured thinking into scaled business impact.

• Responsibilities- Develop and own the long‑term licensing vision, strategy, and roadmap for a major segment of the Microsoft product portfolio.
• Anticipate industry shifts, competitive trends, and customer needs to shape future licensing evolution.
• Identify new market opportunities, business model innovations, and simplification strategies that enhance customer value and accelerate adoption.
• Partner closely across product engineering, marketing, finance, legal, field, and business planning teams to drive aligned licensing decisions.
• Lead complex discussions to ensure stakeholder alignment on tradeoffs, business impact, customer implications, and execution readiness.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively to senior leaders to influence direction and secure support for proposed licensing strategies.
• Translate strategic direction into detailed licensing constructs, definitions, and business rules.
• Evaluate the downstream impact of licensing decisions—including revenue, cost, compliance, customer experience, and operational feasibility.
• Drive clarity across teams by documenting licensing models precisely, ensuring readiness for launch and downstream execution.
• Analyze customer demand signals, competitive practices, market trends, and field feedback to shape licensing evolution.
• Identify where existing models create friction and propose data‑informed solutions that balance business growth with simplicity.
• Operate with a high level of ownership, independence, and accountability.
• Foster a culture that values clarity, customer‑centricity, and thoughtful problem‑solving.
• Embody our Culture  &  Values.

Qualifications:

Required/minimum qualifications

• 5+ years product management, strategy consulting, finance, business/corporate development, or related experienceOR equivalent experience.
  Additional or preferred qualifications- 8+ years product management, strategy consulting, finance, business/corporate development, or related experience AND Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/Computer Science, Economics, Business, or related fieldOR 6+ years product management, strategy consulting, finance, business/corporate development, or related experience AND Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA), or related field
• OR equivalent experience.
• Experience working on Microsoft products or within similarly complex product ecosystems.
• Experience with licensing, business models, or commercial strategy at scale.
• Track record of synthesizing technical, financial, legal, and product considerations into clear strategic recommendations.

Business Planning 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.

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.