Account Executive full-time

The Account Executive (AE) is responsible for negotiating and selling online advertising to media agencies and enterprise businesses. This person typically works with mid to senior-level media buyers, planners and marketing professions, which requires strong relationship building at the onset. In this sector, the Account Executive is focused on developing online solutions that drive awareness and promote value in the customer’s products, services and brands. They will be responsible for developing account opportunities, defining the MS products to meet the account’s needs, and sell/close product packages to meet their business goals.

The AE is a marketing consultant, technology evangelist, and senior digital media solutions seller and is responsible for:

Delivering a compelling, unified Microsoft Digital Marketing Solutions story to an assigned set of strategic accounts to drive awareness and interest

Building and managing senior marketing decision-maker relationships with direct clients to unlock opportunities across these sales motions:

• Advertising Solutions (Display, Search, Microsoft Media Network, Emerging Media, etc.)
• Digital Marketing Platform (e.g.. Windows 8, Xbox One/Xbox 360, Skype, Windows Services)

Leveraging superior solution sales skills to identify, prioritize and develop new business within these accounts, including driving up-sell and cross-sell opportunities within assigned accounts to maximize Microsoft Advertising (MSA) revenue share and growth

Identifying Digital Marketing software sales opportunities (in collaboration with Enterprise Products Group)

Providing a high level of customer service and strives to improve customer satisfaction by making Microsoft Advertising “easy to do business with.”

Key commitments will include:

Revenue Generation
Deliver assigned revenue quota through selling online advertising solutions
Develop business within existing accounts by proposing new products and services to increase account activity and order values
Partner with the Account Team by using client knowledge and strategic insights to develop more thoughtful solutions for RFPs and proactively identify and qualify new sales opportunities and drive incremental revenue
Proactively introduce new people, products, solutions and services into accounts to represent full Microsoft Advertising and partner capability
Leverage Microsoft Advertising marketing programs to strengthen prospect / customer relationships and generate new sales opportunities
Develop relationships at a senior levels with clients to position Microsoft Advertising and generate new sales opportunities
Develop close relationships with colleagues across the region and regularly communicate information on sales campaigns and opportunities
Effective pipeline management and reporting

Account Management

Coordinate the work across the Account Team (i.e. Agency AE, Account Manager, Solution Specialists, Trade Marketing, etc.)
Create and manage Account Plans and Business Plans, identifying key areas of opportunity for new and existing business
Conduct face-to face meetings with clients to improve business understanding and develop relationships within the account
Take responsibility for the management and development of assigned accounts developing joint plans with the customer to drive revenue and customer satisfaction
Build a network of key contacts and relationships within accounts to secure customer loyalty and gain early insights into potential business opportunities for Microsoft Advertising
Explore customer complaints and issues thoroughly to resolve problems quickly and efficiently
Take opportunities to improve customer satisfaction by demonstrating that the Microsoft Advertising Accounts Team is responsive and easy to do business with
Use every customer interaction as a potential opportunity to develop more business within the account through incisive and effective questioning
Work across organizational boundaries and with multiple functions to solve customer problems

Qualifications:

A minimum of 5-8 years of successful experience in direct sales / business development
5+ years experience in advertising /media sales (online and offline) to large businesses OR 5+ years experience as online advertising Account Manager for large businesses
Proven experience of senior level relationship-building, successful prospecting and closing sales with top-tier advertisers
Ability to cultivate strong working relationships and drive collaboration across highly matrixed business teams. Vision, leadership, interpersonal skills, communication skills, and focus on results are necessary attributes in this respect.
Strong passion for technology/display advertising, collaborative nature, and customer focus
High level of expertise in “Solution Selling”
Proven track record of exceptional performance, high productivity and meeting deadlines
Highly entrepreneurial, self-sufficient and able to work both collaboratively and independently to successfully grow and foster long term client relationships based on quality service, a consultative relationship and clear and consistent added value to the client
Ambitious with strong strategic thinking skills; track record of thinking outside the box and bringing new insights and ideas from insight to reality
Team player with a positive and dynamic personality, excellent communication and presentation skills, strong planning and organizational capabilities; consistently able to get other people excited and on board with their ideas
Ability to work cooperatively and proactively with internal and cross-group partners
A BS/BA degree required, MBA preferred

Considering a Career with Microsoft Canada?

At Microsoft Canada Co, people are the source of our energy. The people at Microsoft Canada are creative, from all types of backgrounds, bringing passion and new ideas, meeting challenges, and realizing their potential. Our benefits and resources are designed to keep our most important asset - our employees - healthy, happy and equipped with the resources they need to be successful and realize their full potential.

Microsoft Canada provides a flexible work environment, with career advancement potential and most importantly, the opportunity to make a difference. As a Microsoft employee you have the opportunity to participate in the following programs:

Stock Awards & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Registered Retirement Savings Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Software Purchase Program
Fitness Membership & Subsidy
I Volunteer (5 Paid Volunteer Days)
Employee Assistance Program
And so much more…

At Microsoft, we share a passion for technology, customers and our partners. We aspire to be more than just a good company- we aspire to be a great company. What will make us great is our commitment to our mission of enabling people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer and supports workforce diversity.