Partner Development Manager (ISVs) Job Vacancy at Microsoft

Partner Development Manager (ISVs) – Microsoft

Location: Johannesburg (MEA-HQ), Gauteng, South Africa (and 2 additional locations)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Role Type: Individual Contributor

Travel: 25-50%

Work Site: Up to 50% work from home

Date Posted: August 5, 2025

Overview

Are you passionate about shaping the future of innovation? We are seeking a highly motivated Partner Development Manager to join our team and accelerate the success of high-potential software development companies across the Middle East and Africa. In this role, you will work at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and investment, partnering with incubators, venture capital firms, and government-backed organizations to help strategic Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) innovate faster, launch new solutions, and expand into new markets.

You will be at the forefront of AI, cloud, and marketplace transformation, recruiting and onboarding promising partners, guiding them through their first solution build, and supporting their go-to-market strategy. From engaging C-suite executives to facilitating product development workshops and marketplace launches, you will play a hands-on role in helping partners realize their ambitions and scale with Microsoft.

This is a fast-paced, high-impact role where you will build on your ability to navigate complex ecosystems, influence senior stakeholders, and drive measurable outcomes—from new Azure solutions and marketplace transactions to pipeline generation and Copilot design wins. You will reinforce your expertise in partner strategy, solution architecture, and commercial enablement while building a portfolio of standout ISVs that contribute to Microsoft’s growth across the region.

Responsibilities

This role involves a high level of stakeholder engagement and relationship building, as you foster trust between local ISVs and Microsoft across the region. Your responsibilities will include:

• Recruitment and Prioritization: Identify and prioritize high-potential ISVs for recruitment, leveraging insights from venture capital, industry feedback, and Microsoft solution area teams.
• Targeted Recruitment: Drive targeted partner recruitment aligned with Cloud & AI solutions and industry priorities, with a focus on competitive differentiation.
• Executive Engagement: Engage C-suite executives and build trusted relationships through regular communications and structured rhythms of business.
• Strategic Planning: Secure partner commitment to build on Microsoft platforms, developing joint business plans, solution development roadmaps, and Azure Commit to Consume agreements.
• Technical Guidance: Facilitate product development workshops and guide partners through architecture design, Well-Architected Framework reviews, and incentive adoption.
• Marketplace Activation: Launch transactable solutions on the Azure Marketplace, supporting partners with go-to-market strategies, promotional activities, and co-sell enablement.
• Performance Tracking: Manage end-to-end marketplace activation, including onboarding pathways, stakeholder engagement, and issue resolution.
• KPI Delivery: Track and deliver key performance indicators, including new ISV adds, Azure solutions, pipeline generation, marketplace billed sales, and Copilot design wins.
• Industry Representation: Represent Microsoft in startup forums.

Qualifications

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative individual who thrives in complex, multicultural environments and can influence stakeholders at all levels within an organization. To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

• An established track record in solution sales, with the ability to drive strategic partner engagements and commercial outcomes.
• Technical proficiency in software development, supported by Azure or equivalent cloud certifications.
• Familiarity with the Cloud and AI landscape in the local market.
• Experience building long-term engagement strategies with external stakeholders, including investment organizations and incubators.
• Regular interaction with, and the ability to influence, executive-level individuals within external organizations.

Benefits and Perks

• Industry-leading healthcare
• Educational resources
• Discounts on products and services
• Savings and investments
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Generous time away
• Giving programs
• Opportunities to network and connect