Microsoft Research is recruiting a Research Program Manager, Sr.
Here's an excerpt from the ad:
Be a part of a dynamic team in Microsoft Research focused on improving Microsoft's engagement with researchers and academics worldwide-by advancing the state of the art in teaching, learning and scholarly communication. Our team designs, promotes, administers and evaluates projects that target how Microsoft products can evolve to better address the research needs of the higher education community. Through this work, we seek to establish Microsoft Research as a premier partner in advancing the frontiers of "eResearch"—with a specific role focus moving forward on digital humanities work with libraries, cultural institutions, educators and scholars on a global basis. This is accomplished by engaging with top researchers at universities and other non-profit organizations around the world to build proof-of-concept and prototype software based on Microsoft technologies enhancing the linkages between Microsoft software to the research lifecycle. Specifically, this program manager position will help identify important technical trends (focusing in the eHumanities), evangelize Microsoft's technologies, ensure interoperability and participate in activities with academic researchers and cultural institutions to improve our offerings tailored to these communities. This role will also provide support and close collaboration with related efforts in other Microsoft Research labs worldwide. Ideally, we seek a solid program manager with deep experience in using Microsoft platforms and applications to catalyze academic communication and computing. This position is worldwide in scope, so both domestic and international travel is expected.
Duties include: Primary responsibility is focused on overseeing multiple projects with universities and government organizations around the world and writing related specification documentation to support software development. This involves a broad range of activities, including: relationship building and engagement with a broad number of influentials in the education, research, and academic publishing world. Mapping to an existing strategy, this role helps develop and manage projects from initial set-up through to closure, including: concept refinement, negotiating terms and conditions, project set-up, regular progress tracking, detailed documentation of procedures/process, ensuring compliance (reporting, etc), as well as some basic financial tracking. Heavy focus on demonstrating the value of these projects both within the company (internally with product groups and the field sales organization), as well as externally (with government organizations and at academic conferences, etc)—namely external presentations, executive briefings, attendance at conferences as well as project/partner site visits. Domestic and international travel is required.