Senior Director, Microsoft AI Vendor Data Acquisition Strategy and Operations

Overview At Microsoft AI, we are building advanced AI systems that help people and organizations achieve more. Our work depends on strong commercial partnerships that provide high-quality specialized data services responsibly and at scale. This role sits at the heart of our Microsoft AI Lab organization, reporting to lab senior leadership. We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on leader to people manage and drive vendor data acquisition: identifying prospective partners, shaping commercial opportunities, negotiating agreements, and ensuring vendors deliver against commitments. You will own the vendor data acquisition pipeline end to end, from translating business and technical needs into sourcing priorities through market outreach, diligence, negotiation, contracting, and delivery oversight. The work includes managing vendor relationships and structuring novel agreements for data and services that may not have been commercially available before. The ideal candidate is a heavy user of AI and a hands-on commercial operator who has worked directly between technical teams and external partners, is comfortable owning complex negotiations personally, and builds repeatable systems that scale vendor sourcing and deal execution. Responsibilities Manage a high-performing team of data strategy and operations professionals aligned to key data acquisition verticals across the Microsoft AI lab. Partner with technical and business stakeholders to define vendor data needs and translate them into clear sourcing strategies, requirements, and commercial opportunities. Source, evaluate, and engage prospective data vendors and strategic partners across global markets, including providers of licensed content, specialized data, and human-generated data services. Lead commercial diligence, deal structuring , contract negotiation, and ongoing vendor management, balancing business value, quality, rights, risk, cost, and speed. Build and oversee scalable procurement and vendor-management processes, including acquisition pipelines, vendor spend, contractual milestones, renewals, and delivery commitments. Coordinate cross-functional initiatives across Business Development, Procurement, Legal, Privacy, Compliance, Finance, Engineering , and technical stakeholders to move opportunities from initial outreach through executed agreement and delivery . Develop durable executive relationships with key vendors, resolve escalations, identify new partnership models, and advance the AI frontier responsibly while embodying Microsoft’s culture and values. Qualifications Required Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree AND 8+ years of experience in business strategy , business development, procurement, commercial partnerships, vendor management, program management, finance, or equivalent experience. 2+ years of management experience leading vendor data acquisition, complex commercial partnerships, procurement programs, or comparable vendor-facing functions. Experience building and leading a team. Demonstrated track record sourcing vendors, leading diligence, negotiating complex agreements, and building scalable systems for pipeline, spend, milestones, and vendor performance. Experience operating in a fast-moving technical or research environment where priorities shift quickly and requirements may be underspecified. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree AND 10+ years of experience in business development, data licensing , procurement program management, commercial partnerships, vendor management, or equivalent experience. 3+ years of management experience leading large-scale vendor data acquisition or strategic data partnerships for an AI, technology, content, research, or data-services organization. Fluency with data rights , licensing , privacy, and commercial terms, and comfort working with legal and compliance partners on novel questions. Business Strategy IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $155,800 - $277,200 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 $202,400 - $303,600 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.