Research Vice President, Server Platforms

If you enjoy taking a deep dive into new software technologies to surface their real and measurable value—and know how to communicate what you know in a concise and concrete manner— you’ll probably enjoy the intellectual challenge and enviable lifestyle of being an analyst for Directions on Microsoft.

Directions on Microsoft is unlike any other IT analyst firm in the world. We’re a small, focused group of analysts who are the leading independent authorities on Microsoft technologies, roadmaps, and licensing policies. We have been for more than 25 years; no other analyst firm can match the depth of Microsoft-specific knowledge and insight we deliver.

Our Fortune 1000 clients use our product Reports, Roadmaps, Licensing Guides, and monthly Webinars to cut through the fog of information that surrounds Microsoft and get to the critical facts they need to plan and drive full value from their Microsoft investments. No other analyst firm can match the depth and breadth of insight and intelligence we deliver.

Your Responsibilities

Research, understand, and communicate important shifts in Microsoft strategy for server applications, cloud services, and platform products such as SharePoint Server, SQL Server, and Office 365.
Evaluate the company’s server technologies, their importance to Microsoft’s large corporate customers and partners, the ways that customers and partners can make best use of them, their relative advantages compared to alternatives, how they are likely to evolve, and other important considerations.
Contribute approximately 5,000 words per month to our research and analysis services and deliver phone-based and in-person briefings to our customers.
Stay up-to-date on Microsoft server products and cloud services and track the relevant customer and partner communities by reading, attending conferences, and maintaining an ongoing dialogue with our many contacts at Microsoft.
Use your industry experience and acumen to separate substance from marketing hype, and make the complex seem simple without sacrificing accuracy.

You’re a great fit for this opportunity if you have the following qualifications:

2+ years of proven sales or customer success experience in a technology-related industry.
Highly conscientious, self-motivated, and upholds the highest level of integrity.
Must be dependable, outgoing, positive, and work well in a team environment.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, especially as it applies to online presentations.
Coachable with a right-sized ego.
Experience using Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Bachelor’s Degree.

Candidates for this role must be:

Have significant domain expertise with Microsoft licensing
Be comfortable interacting with IT executives, press, and Microsoft
Enjoy deep research and precise writing (You don’t have to be a professional. If you’re the right candidate, we’ll bring you up to speed.)

Candidates should also:

Have significant domain expertise with Microsoft technologies
Be comfortable interacting with IT executives, press, and Microsoft
Enjoy writing (You don’t have to be a professional. If you’re the right candidate, we’ll bring you up to speed.)
Live in or be willing to relocate to the Seattle area

Benefits

Directions on Microsoft offers a superb package that includes a generous salary, pension, 401(k), vacation, and health benefits. We also offer a relaxed and exceptionally collegial work environment, a flexible work schedule, and zero tolerance for bureaucracy. Travel is moderate and scheduled well in advance. For the right person who’s also at a turning point in their career, this is a once-in-a-lifetime job that provides interesting and rewarding work in an ideal environment that leaves ample time for family, friends, and hobbies.

To Apply

Email your résumé to careers@DirectionsOnMicrosoft.com