In Cognition, people—not devices—are at the center of everything we do. Our tech moves beyond screens and pixels, creating a new reality aimed at bringing us closer together—whether that’s scientists “meeting” on the surface of a virtual Mars or some yet undreamt-of possibility. To get there, we’re incorporating diverse groundbreaking technologies, from the revolutionary Holographic Processing Unit to computer vision, machine learning, human-computer interaction, and more. We’re a growing team of talented engineers and artists putting technology on a human path across all Windows devices, including Microsoft HoloLens, the Internet of Things, phones, tablets, desktops, and Xbox. We believe there has to be a better way. If you do too, we need you!

Cognition is seeking a passionate, competent leader with a successful track record of devising and deploying complex solutions to the DoD and National Security market. The ideal candidate will understand the customer mission and articulate market opportunities into strategic business goals that will inform Cognition’s Mixed Reality and Artificial Intelligence product ambitions.

The Strategic Initiatives leader will coordinate with Microsoft constituent leaders and customers to initiate customer engagements to deliver unique customer solutions and accelerate Cognition’s MR&AI roadmap.

Responsibilities

• Manage customer/partner engagement and alignment with the DoD/NSG Team.
• Ensure Cognition development endeavors meet customer needs and convert to a large-scale deployments
• Partner with Public Sector Sales, Mixed Reality, Modern Workplace Specialist Units, and Azure Gov teams to ensure coordinated engagements and alignment between sales opportunities and product roadmap
• Grow the Cognition business portfolio through strategic initiatives with end-user customers and partners
• Drive commercialization strategy and activities for the DoD solution practice, scoping growth opportunities and aligning associated product roadmaps & BD engagements
• Grow the Cognition business portfolio through strategic initiatives with end-user customers and partners
• Drive alignment between Microsoft executive leaders, ecosystem partners, and customers

Qualifications

• Experience managing direct customer relationships at the senior executive level
• Experience managing the end-to-end delivery of large-scale solutions, from capture to deployment
• Listening, storytelling, and negotiation skills, with the ability to distill complex technological processes into value statements easily digested by the non-technical, senior executive, customer leader
• 10+ years of experience engaging with DoD on product development initiatives
• Well networked with DoD leadership in both operational and acquisition offices at the General Officer level and above
• History developing, selling-in, and fielding technology solutions into DoD with contract values of $100M+
• 10+ years Engineering experience, developing product for specific customer needs
• Ability to obtain a US GOVT security clearance

There are plenty of other skills that aren’t required, but you’ll find useful in this role. Let us know if you have experience with:

• Customer Relationship Management
• Large/Complex Program Financial Models
• MR, AI, and Hybrid Cloud Solution Development
• Technology Incubation

#Cognition

• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:  

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. 
• Citizenship Verification: This position requires verification of US Citizenship to meet federal government security requirements.
• Fingerprint Background Check: This position will be required to pass a customer required Fingerprint Background Check.

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.