Bring your collaborative business management and leadership skills and passion for gaming to the planning and execution of the Xbox business across Western Europe. Apply now!

At Microsoft we have a mission to “empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more”. With more than 50 million people using Xbox services, the Xbox business is the place where that mission comes to life. In the Xbox category business, our business goal is to accelerate gaming reach and engagement across devices.

We accomplish this goal in two ways:

Drive consumer engagement and revenue: Use consumer insights, market data, store level analysis, and sales information to evaluate our business performance and develop seasonal, launch, & sustain plans to improve our partners business, win share, sell units, and drive revenue/ GM.
Strengthen the Xbox brand via fan centric GTM strategies: Plan thoughtful and impactful through-line-full-funnel-marketing, focused on driving purchase intent, conversion & post purchase advocacy & consumer lifetime value for Xbox devices, content, accessories, and services.

“Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. Growth mindset encourages each of us to lean in and learn what matters most to our customers, to create the foundational knowledge that enables us to make customer-first decisions in everything we do. In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world. You can help us achieve our mission.”

Responsibilities

Lead the Xbox Category Management team across Western Europe (WE). This leadership role drives the strategy, investment priorities and goals in partnership with the WE Sales and Marketing teams and is part of the WE leadership team and Xbox EMEA leadership team. The role will focus on leading and coaching a team of category managers for WE while managing the Xbox engagement with and being the trusted advisor and key Xbox point of contact to strategic partners.

Win customers at key marketing & sales beats

Plan and execute category sales plans that maximize key market level seasonal selling beats and retailer specific selling beats.
Plan and execute world-class product launches aligned to forecast and align channel marketing
Own the Xbox Category components for WE strategic accounts and present the value of Xbox in helping these partners grow their revenues and profitability, and the value this can and will drive for consumers.
Review and lead Xbox Category ROB, data, reporting and analytics, and MBU/QBU for WE.

Attract new audiences

Contribute to channel investment plans (in partnership with Channel Sales and Marketing) and priorities based on the Xbox Strategy and priorities including managed retail, telco, breadth retail, online.
Plan GTM that incorporate strategic partner led demand gen with top retail partners, thru the line co-marketing, O&O and streaming.

Launch new products to engage customers/ retail partners

Support WE sales teams to build and maintain strong relationships with defined partners.
Understanding deeply strategic partner business models, business objectives and growth plans
Land right assortment by retail partner, executed to WW guidance & planogram
Leverage existing product portfolio to create partner exclusives that gain unit commitment & win share
Plan variants with top accounts/ markets that drive differentiation, gain unit commitment & win share
Ensure forecast accuracy

Partner with Marketing to optimize conversion with premium channel execution

Drive always on in store & online marketing that drives growth, earns fans, & optimizes channel footprint
Increase attach thru proximity placement
Support teams to land digital execution that is best-in-class utilizing videos, animation, & strong attach tactics

Business results

Land strong consumer plans to stay competitive that drive volume/ premium mix/ win share
Drive sell thru via programs & offers
Lead and actively engage in the Xbox category sales and marketing motions to ensure WE exceeds all revenue and scorecard topics; when needed drive COE plans

Building and leading a great team

Build and lead a team of 5-6 high performing direct reports who are passionate and love what they do and have significant impact on the Xbox business
Recruit and attract the best talent from across the company and region
Prioritize people development, diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

Experiences Required: Education, Key Experiences, Skills and Knowledge:

Be a skillful leader, able to directly deliver and deliver thru influence of others - both internally at Microsoft and externally thru retail partners.
Be a confident leader, representing your business in front of partners and stakeholders at all levels inside and outside Microsoft.
A successful track record in managing and trasnforming a gaming category, while meeting sales and profitability targets.
Sharp analytical skills and acumen and can use to review and manage budgets, market data, and deal opportunities.
Experience planning and executing assortment plans, marketing strategies, and activities that drive business results.
Significant experience in consumer electronics industry, gaming industry, retail category management, or like business. Experience with devices sales in consumer channels a plus.
An entrepreneurial spirit, passionate about building businesses, and thrives within a fast paced environment.
A character that exemplifies Microsoft values including integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, and mutual respect.
Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing or related field, or related experience. MBA a plus.
International travel required (4 week long trips per year)

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.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

Benefits and Perks

Industry leading healthcare
Savings and investments
Giving programs
Educational resources
Maternity and paternity leave
Opportunities to network and connect
Discounts on products and services
Generous time away