Strategic Account Director - Media

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Strategic Account Director - Media

🔹 Company: Microsoft

🔹 Location: Issy Les Moulineaux, Hauts-de-Seine, France

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Sales & Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 3, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing strategic account plans
• Building and maintaining strong customer relationships
• Driving high-impact transformation solutions
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams and partners

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of the media industry.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Customer Engagement: Proactively elevate customer engagement strategy, establish Rhythm of Business (RoB) with top customer sponsors, articulate Microsoft's and partners' point of view, and create deep connections with customers.

✅ Account Management: Lead the development and application of mature and dynamic account plans, coordinate with industry experts to identify new business opportunities, and drive account growth.

✅ Sales Excellence: Leverage relationships with key customer contacts to identify drivers of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, position oneself as a thought leader, and drive customer engagement.

✅ Industry Knowledge: Leverage a strong knowledge of Microsoft's product landscape, solutions, and strategy to address customer's needs in the Telco & Media industry.

ASSUMPTION: The role requires a balance of strategic planning, customer engagement, and industry-specific knowledge to drive success.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.

Experience: 10+ years of experience in account management, sales, or a related role within the media industry.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in strategic account management
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong consultative selling skills
• Deep understanding of the media industry
• Ability to influence decision-makers at various organizational levels

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Microsoft's product suite
• Fluency in French

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in account management, sales, and a deep understanding of the media industry.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €80,000 - €120,000 per year (based on industry standards for a Strategic Account Director role in the Paris area)

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Retirement savings plan
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Generous time off and paid holidays

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a Strategic Account Director role in the Paris area. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Microsoft operates in the technology industry, with a focus on software development, manufacturing, and services.

Company Size: Microsoft is a large corporation with over 180,000 employees worldwide. This means there are ample opportunities for career growth and development.

Founded: Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

Company Description:

• Microsoft is a multinational technology company that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, and personal computers and services.
• The company's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
• Microsoft values include customer obsession, one Microsoft, respect and integrity, and accountability.

Company Specialties:

• Operating systems and servers
• Productivity and business processes
• Intelligent cloud
• AI and mixed reality

Company Website: microsoft.com

ASSUMPTION: Microsoft is a well-established company with a strong global presence and a reputation for innovation and excellence.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring significant experience and expertise in account management and sales.

Reporting Structure: The Strategic Account Director reports directly to the General Manager of the Strategic Accounts team.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the expectation of working from the Microsoft office in Issy Les Moulineaux, France.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to move into a leadership role within the Strategic Accounts team
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives
• Chance to gain experience working with a diverse range of customers and partners

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within Microsoft's Strategic Accounts team.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The Microsoft office in Issy Les Moulineaux, France, is a modern, collaborative workspace with a focus on employee well-being and productivity.

Office Location(s): Issy Les Moulineaux, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Geographic Context:

• The office is located in the western suburbs of Paris, providing easy access to public transportation and amenities.
• The region is known for its vibrant tech industry and startup ecosystem.
• The office is close to the Seine River and offers views of the Paris skyline.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday to Friday, with core hours of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Flexible working arrangements may be available.

ASSUMPTION: The office provides a modern, collaborative work environment that supports productivity and employee well-being.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• On-site interview with the Strategic Accounts team
• Final interview with the General Manager of Strategic Accounts

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic account management experience
• Industry knowledge and understanding of customer needs
• Communication and presentation skills
• Ability to influence decision-makers

Application Tips:

• Highlight your experience in strategic account management and sales within the media industry
• Tailor your resume to emphasize skills and experiences relevant to this role
• Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit with Microsoft's company culture

ATS Keywords: Strategic Account Director, Media, Account Management, Sales, Customer Engagement, Industry Knowledge, Consultative Selling, Digital Transformation, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Relationship Building, Business Development, Team Leadership, Risk Mitigation, Solution Selling, Market Analysis, Networking, Presentation Skills

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic account management experience, industry knowledge, and communication skills.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Salesforce
• Zoom

ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in Microsoft's product suite and familiarity with common sales and marketing tools.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer Obsessed
• One Microsoft
• Respect and Integrity
• Accountability

Work Style:

• Collaborative
• Results-driven
• Innovative

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you demonstrate customer obsession in your current role?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to work collaboratively with a diverse team to achieve a common goal?
• How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and developments?

ASSUMPTION: Microsoft values a customer-obsessed, collaborative, and innovative work culture. Candidates should be able to demonstrate alignment with these values and work styles.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large portfolio of strategic accounts
• Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, including customers, partners, and internal teams
• Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing technology industry
• Working in a matrixed organization with multiple reporting lines

ASSUMPTION: The role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Strategic Account Manager role, but with a broader scope and higher level of responsibility
• Unlike other sales roles, this role requires a deep understanding of the media industry and its unique customer needs
• Career progression in this role could lead to a leadership position within the Strategic Accounts team or a move into a related field, such as marketing or product management

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar roles in the industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a strategic account plan for a major media customer
• Leading a cross-functional team to deliver a high-impact transformation solution for a customer in the media industry
• Conducting a competitive analysis and developing a go-to-market strategy for a new Microsoft product in the media industry

ASSUMPTION: The role offers opportunities to work on high-impact projects that drive business value for customers and Microsoft.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader strategic accounts team and Microsoft's overall strategy?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the media industry, and how can this role help address them?
• How does Microsoft support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the work-life balance like for this role, and how does Microsoft support work-life balance for its employees?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and provides valuable insights into the company and the team.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Microsoft careers website
• Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in strategic account management and sales within the media industry
• Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit with Microsoft's company culture
• Prepare for the interview by researching Microsoft's products, services, and industry trends
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of the interview to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.