Overview
AI is driving a generational shift in how applications are built, modernized, and operated. Decades of technical debt - legacy applications, fragmented data estates, and operational models built for a pre-AI world - remain the single largest constraint on enterprise innovation. Agentic modernization is now relieving that debt at scale: agents assess, refactor, migrate and continuously improve existing apps and data, making every application AI-ready. AI is both catalyst and accelerant - raising the bar for what every app and data estate can deliver, and letting businesses modernize at a fraction of the time, cost and effort. Operations are shifting too, to support the needs of an entirely new class of agentic applications, with agents themselves autonomously running the systems that keep those applications and agents in production. At Microsoft, we're building the platform that spans both: Azure app and data modernization, and the agentic operations layer that keeps AI systems reliable, observable, secure and cost-effective at scale.
We're seeking an experienced Senior Director, Product Marketing - Azure Modernization & Agentic Operations for Azure modernization and agentic operations. Management and strategy are equally core to the role: setting the direction for two connected portfolios and leading a large, multi-disciplinary team to deliver it. The modernization portfolio spans GitHub Copilot modernization, Azure Migrate, and Azure Copilot, addressing the full breadth of the enterprise estate - Java, .NET, and mainframe applications along with connected data and infrastructure services. Customers weigh modernization and operations together, against the same budget and the same AI goals, so the mandate is twofold: to establish agentic modernization as the fastest path off decades of technical debt and onto an AI-ready platform, and to redefine what operations means in a world of agents: the practices, products, and systems required to run agentic applications in production. Meanwhile, agentic operations responsibilities span the entire operational portfolio: Azure Monitor, Azure Arc, Azure Resource Manager (ARM), Azure Resource Graph (ARG), cost management and more. This leader reports directly to the General Manager for Azure Cloud and AI Platform marketing as a member of the business unit's marketing leadership team.
Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.
Responsibilities
This leader will own the marketing strategy for modernization and agentic operations, drive success and growth across both portfolios, and build and develop a large product marketing team - including managers - while working closely with technical and business leaders across Azure, from Data and AI to Core Infrastructure.
Defining the marketing strategy and product narrative for Azure modernization and agentic operations - spanning GitHub Copilot modernization, Azure Migrate, and Azure Copilot - and connecting the two into a single, coherent customer story
Leading and developing a large product marketing team spanning both portfolios - hiring, coaching and managing managers, shaping team structure and priorities, allocating resources, and setting the operating rhythm that keeps a highly matrixed organization aligned
Curating high impact messaging and product themes and aligned to Microsoft's vision - AI as both catalyst and accelerant for modernization, agentic modernization as the means of relieving decades of technical debt across existing apps and data, every app made AI ready, and the shift of operations to support a new class of agentic applications - and surfacing them consistently through a proactive content program tied to product innovation, partner expansion, major events and launches, solution milestones, and always-on initiatives for core audiences
Collaborating across Microsoft to define how core AI, Data, Developer, Infrastructure, and Operations services align to support the modernization and agentic operations architecture, strategy, and value proposition
Driving market leadership across both portfolios, working with growth leaders to guide strategies for customer acquisition, modernization and migration velocity, adoption and customer advocacy
Bringing the value of agentic modernization and agentic operations to life for customers through user stories, demos, and scenarios across Java, .NET, and mainframe estates that quantify the reduction in time, cost and effort
Partnering across business units and our global partner organization to achieve annual revenue and engagement growth priorities, business targets, monetization strategies, and metrics
Delivering sales enablement and field support - partnering with sales, partner, and engineering organizations on collateral for product announcements, portfolio changes and annual solution programs; building content that resonates with customer value and drives high field utilization; creating a feedback loop with Sales to ensure buy-in and continuous improvement; and joining pre-sales meetings with customers
Supporting major launch moments, executive disclosures, corporate events, and key industry milestones to communicate this product strategy clearly, consistently and with maximum impact
Driving Portfolio Planning and roadmap alignment across GitHub Copilot modernization, Azure Migrate, and Azure Copilot so products are launched with clarity and advance Microsoft leadership and strategic marketing themes
Embody our Culture (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about/corporate-values) and Values (https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/culture)
Qualifications
Required/minimum qualifications
Master's Degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Business or related field AND 6+ years experience in product marketing
OR Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Business or related field AND 8+ years experience in product marketing
OR equivalent experience.
6+ years people management experience.
Additional or preferred qualifications
Master's Degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Business or related field AND 12+ years experience in product marketing
OR Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Computer Science, Business or related field AND 15+ years experience in product marketing
OR equivalent experience.
8+ years people management experience.
Experience with messaging and content development
Experience driving new and enhanced products to market, with tangible impact
Experience setting portfolio-level marketing strategy across multiple products and translating it into executable plans, priorities, and measurable business outcomes
Project Management experience
Experience with sales strategy/enablement
Experience influencing executives and driving decisions across a highly matrixed organization
Experience with AI and agents, application and data modernization of Java, .NET, and mainframe workloads, cloud migration, and IT or cloud operations
Product Marketing M6 - 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. (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html)
