Community Manager

Microsoft’s TechSpark program engages in select communities to enhance the region’s local economic activity, create opportunities for everyone to participate in that growth, and protect and improve the quality of life enjoyed by area residents. We do this by stewarding Microsoft’s resources into the community and fostering integral, trusted, influential partnerships with philanthropy, government, academics, business, and the community.This role will help execute a multi-disciplined technology initiative in Jackson, Mississippi to help us learn more about the impact of technology disruptions and invest in and support the potential for new technology solutions, including the use of technology to stimulate job creation, expand broadband access, help people develop new skills, and connect people with jobs. This initiative is a multi-disciplined effort involving key stakeholders across Microsoft and provides the opportunity to pull together technology, business, philanthropic concepts that we believe have the potential to scale more broadly if tested, refined, and adopted by communities.This individual will represent Microsoft in the region and play a significant role by connecting with the community, ensuring the company is receiving fast feedback on what is needed and how we’re doing, and connecting internally with the various Microsoft stakeholders that are working on specific projects. In essence, this person will serve as the company’s external ambassador for this region and will be seen locally as the face and voice of the company on this initiative.This individual will have the opportunity to expand Microsoft’s commitment to operating in a manner that is trusted, responsible and inclusive. We are looking for a dynamic individual who is energized about community engagement and possesses a strong entrepreneurial mindset, coupled with a strong balance of business and technical skills and is passionate about extending the reach of Microsoft’s technology tools and digital inclusion initiatives to this community. If this sounds like you, we want to talk to you!ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities:Study, inventory, and provide analysis and recommendations on the region’s employment and unemployment demographics, access needs, disruptions brought on by technology, and job opportunities and solutions.

Develop, manage and allocate a regional budget earmarked for local digital inclusion programs and growing local tech initiatives.

Develop key processes and communications that facilitate program development, outreach, and execution. Establish a strong local network, engaging and building productive relationships with regional leaders to frame and build a more signature regional plan and project.

Experiment, test and prove out some technology and business concepts that could then be scaled more broadly by other communities across the nation and globe.

Extend the reach of Microsoft’s digital literacy programs and tools to the local community, and partner with other local programs that may help supplement these efforts.

Facilitate local talks and media on Microsoft’s mission, the role of the cloud, digital inclusion, and the benefits of technology for all.

Design and deliver programs based on principles of diversity, anti-racism, equity, and inclusion.

Help lead partnerships across education, corporate philanthropy, labor, philanthropy and nonprofits aimed to improve educational and economic outcomes for citizens of the greater region, especially for those that are furthest from opportunity.

Provide “outside-in” knowledge and insight on societal, economic, community and policy attributes that could help shape relevant Microsoft business and technology strategies.

Serve as a subject matter expert and thought leader, locally, internally, and externally.

Actively seek out innovative best practices and programs from around the world to help inform strategy.

Collaborate with other Microsoft Philanthropies and corporate social responsibility teams such as Tech for Social Impact, Employee Engagement, Digital Inclusion and US Community Engagement (Skills for employability, TechSpark, TEALS), Airband, Justice Reform, University Relations to help land company initiatives in region.

Foster, drive, and promote the company’s contributions to the local community through public speaking, social media, marketing, and other communications efforts.

Advocate for technology as a catalyst for positive change and seek opportunities in which technology and Microsoft specifically can help create opportunities for individuals, communities, and organizations.

Strategy/Program ManagementManages and executes on Microsoft strategies and/or programs related to corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability).

Contributes to the formulation of Microsoft’s corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) initiatives and/or topics.

Responds to corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) issues by prioritizing, engaging relevant parties, and escalating matters or contacting a specialist, as appropriate.

Supports the advancement of Microsoft's policy agenda that addresses societal issues.

Assesses complex local, regional, or national community and civic engagement needs to determine opportunities for corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) program development and implementation.

Executes corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) programs designed to build resiliency, self-sufficiency, and opportunities for individuals and communities.

Develops and manages project time-lines, budgets, and plans for corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) programs.

Contributes to and facilitates program development, outreach, and execution, and assesses feasibility of program extension to other internal and external communities.

Business, Technical, and Societal ExpertiseContributes to and/or implements solutions for advancing Microsoft corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) agenda, while managing risks and consequences.

Facilitates a positive impact of corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) initiatives in the internal and external communities.

Representing MicrosoftCommunicates Microsoft’s perspective on corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) issues and garners the support of external and internal stakeholders to contribute to the advancement of Microsoft’s CSR agenda.

Contributes to the messaging and communications strategy to ensure programs are integrated into internal and external stakeholder messaging.

Understands and applies detailed knowledge of Microsoft and Corporate and Legal Affairs strategies to drive results and program integrity.

Evaluates Microsoft technology to determine how products and software can be used to solve societal issues and create opportunities in the community.

Participates in internal and external events to communicate information on Microsoft corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) programs.

External RelationshipsDevelops partnerships with nonprofit, advocacy, community-based, and related groups to advance corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) programs. Recommends improvements to Microsoft corporate social responsibility (e.g., philanthropies, accessibility, sustainability) initiatives based on community and stakeholder feedback.

Internal CollaborationSupports the execution of strategies that promote corporate social responsibility and other key businesses objectives. Participates in and/or leads intra-group and/or cross-group projects and ensures accountability by leveraging project management approaches. Escalates intra- and cross-group misalignment as needed.

Other

Embody our culture and values

QualificationsRequired/Minimum QualificationsBachelor's Degree AND 3+ years experience in corporate social responsibility, philanthropies, corporate affairs, or related area

OR 5+ years experience in corporate social responsibility, philanthropies, corporate affairs, or related area.

Deep understanding and past community experience in the Jackson region, with a strong area network and awareness of the systems landscape, including how organizations are funded, governed, organized, and evaluated.

This position is located in Jackson, Mississippi and you must be able to work at the Jackson location.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications:Strong focus and empathy for the community along with an extraordinary passion for making an impact on the region. Proven effectiveness driving multi-stakeholder planning processes and cross-team projects to desired results.

Demonstrates cultural competencies and inclusive behaviors.

Works effectively with people at all levels of an organization.

Strong interpersonal skills including ability to build trust, influence, and relationships with diverse people and groups.

Deep understanding of community and how issues such as poverty, inequity & exclusion impact economic and social opportunity.

Experience in strategic program design, program management, grant management, execution, and evaluation.

A passion for technology as a catalyst for positive change.

Highly self-motivated with a drive, initiative, and capacity for hard work

Creative thinker and problem solver with a bias towards thoughtful action

Excellent communication skills: the ability to distill information into concise communication materials, ability to tailor language and detail to the audience, and use of multiple communication mediums to distribute information.

The ability to think strategically and to develop key processes and communications that facilitate program development, execution, and outreach.

Strong collaboration both internally and externally and a track record of coalition-building. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage several programs at once.

Knowledge of Microsoft products and tools, and bachelor’s degree preferred.

7+ years experience in corporate social responsibility, philanthropies, corporate affairs, or related area.In-house counsel experience

3+ years experience managing a corporate social responsibility or related program.

3+ years experience working in or with a large, matrixed organization.

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. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.