Venture Development Advisor

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse. 

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.  Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work. 

Who we are looking for:

The Venture Development Advisor (VDA) focuses on aligning with selected and strategic Software Development Companies (SDCs) — such as venture-backed startups, and ecosystem partners like VCs, Accelerators, Private Equities and Business Angels — to increase deal flow of high-impact and key industry innovators into the Microsoft ecosystem.

This role is central to identifying and cultivating a high-potential and dynamic portfolio of SDCs, with a focus on those that are B2B, marketplace-inclined, enterprise-ready, and AI-adopting. The VDA is responsible for supporting the progression of these SDCs through Microsoft’s programs such as Founders Hub, SDCS, and MAICPP, ensuring their successful onboarding, technical alignment, and business acceleration.

The VDA develops and executes partner engagement plans, crafts effective collaboration strategies, positions Microsoft’s cloud and AI technology narrative, and co-develops go-to-market and co-marketing activity plans with the ecosystem stakeholders. They work closely with internal roles such as SDC Partner Development Managers (PDMs), Partner Technology Specialists (PTS), and GPS teams to bring the right resources and support to the right ecosystem stakeholders at the right time.

 In addition, the VDA captures and analyzes meaningful usage signals and business insights from the SDC ecosystem, using these to guide market focus, refine program strategy, and shape targeted resource investments. As a visible leader and local orchestrator within the startup and software ecosystem, the VDA strengthens Microsoft’s position as the preferred platform and partner for software innovators building for the enterprise and beyond.

What you'll do:

High Impact SDC Portfolio Development

• Acts as a communication point for a portfolio of high impact and key industrySDCs
• Monitors Microsoft's SDC programs (i.e. FH and SDCS) pipeline.
• Acts as a local orchestrator and active member of the startup community.

• Works closely with GPS SDC roles.

Ecosystem Stakeholder Engagement

• Builds trusting relationships and acts as a trusted advisor to a selected portfolio of strategic ecosystem stakeholders.
• Aligns stakeholder priorities, strategies, and goals with Microsoft’s value proposition.
• Develops engagement plans and collaboration strategies in alignment with ecosystem stakeholders.
• Participates in internal and external events to understand and represent stakeholder needs.

Ecosystem Understanding

• Maintains an understanding of the industry, market trends, and evolving stakeholder portfolios.
• Collects and maintains up-to-date awareness of competitors and industry developments.
• Learns from ecosystem stakeholder engagements and applies insights across engagements.
• Actively monitors the market for top SDC opportunities.

Insight Generation

• Brings insights from stakeholder experience and startup ecosystems into Microsoft programs and strategies.
• Generates meaningful insights to support internal initiatives and guide resource investments

Ecosystem Engagement

• Participates in networking, industry events, and startup ecosystems to foster partnerships and discover new opportunities.
• Cultivates relationships across the ecosystem and contributes to thought leadership.
• Serves as a "known quantity" at industry events, including niche or startup focused settings.

Key Success Metrics

• VCs onboarded on the MfS investor network
• Referral codes redeemed by startups from VCs onboarded in the MfS investor network
• Nurture and develop partnerships and craft common understanding memorandums with a selected portfolio of ecosystem stakeholders
• Identify and recruit high potential SDCs utilizing market signals and ecosystem relationships
• Execute on agreed activities with portfolio of ecosystem stakeholders
• Increase deal-flow of high-impact and key-industry SDCs to Microsoft
• Execute handover of high potential SDCs to SDC GPS resources for further growth
• Grow marketplace billed sales, ACR and AI ACR in portfolio of engaged SDCs

What you'll need:

• Bachelor's Degree in Sales, Marketing, Business Operations, Computer Science,

Engineering, or related field AND 2+ years partner management, sales, business development, product management, or venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience in the technology industry experience OR equivalent experience.

OR

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Business Science, or advanced STEM degree AND 4+ years partner management, sales, business development, product management, or venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience in the technology industry experience OR equivalent experience.

Who you are:

Building and Maintaining Relationships

• Building Business Partnerships
• Conflict Resolution
• Executive Presence
• Relationship Management
• Strategic Thinking

Communicating with Impact

• English Language Proficiency
• Oral Communication
• Presentations
• Storytelling
• Written Communication

Driving Sales

• Consultative Selling
• Influence Others
• Negotiation
• Persuasion
• Technical Sales

Identifying and Driving Solutions

• Analytical Thinking
• Creativity
• Decision Making
• Problem Solving        

Leveraging Impactful Business Insights

• Business Acumen
• Business Analysis
• Business Knowledge
• Competitive Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Startup Ecosystems
• Technology Industry Knowledge

Portfolio Management

• Account Management
• Organization Skills

#LI-EMEA

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. 

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. 

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