Business Development Manager - XBOX

Job Description

Overview

Overview:

Here is your opportunity to play a central role in negotiating deals and partnerships within Microsoft’s high-profile videogame business. The Global 3rd Party Business Development Team is hiring a Sr. Business Development Manager based in Europe. On Team Xbox, we aspire to empower the world’s 3 billion gamers to play the games they want, with the people they want, anywhere they want. Gaming, the largest and fastest growing category in media & entertainment, represents an important growth opportunity for Microsoft. We work with gaming publishers, developers, platform, and technology partners from around the world to bring Xbox and Windows games and services (e.g., Game Pass, xCloud) to Microsoft’s customers, and platform offerings to its creators and partners.

How we work:

At Microsoft, and within Team Xbox, we believe how results are achieved is as important as what is delivered. We value collaboration, trust, transparency, and inclusive decision‑making. This role requires strong interpersonal judgment, the ability to influence without authority, and a genuine commitment to building long‑term, respectful partnerships – internally and externally. This role is well suited to someone who enjoys working through ambiguity, values diverse perspectives, and takes pride in building durable outcomes—not just closing deals.

Responsibilities

As part of our team, you will lead business development activities with gaming publishers and developers (including the ID@Xbox community). You will land new content, service and cloud partnerships and extend existing ones to ensure Microsoft’s platforms are the best place for games. In addition, you will help shape the assumptions and fundamentals of Microsoft’s gaming strategy as a member of the broader Xbox team and as a project manager on various gaming initiatives.

• Build, maintain, and foster trusted, long‑term relationships with new and existing gaming partners through active listening, empathy, and collaborative problem‑solving.
• Partner closely with legal, finance, marketing, planning, and partner management teams to co‑create solutions, align stakeholders, and navigate complex decision‑making in a respectful and transparent way.
• Drive relevant business modelling, forecasting, portfolio planning, and post-launch success validation efforts.
• Guide all publishing partnerships and agreements through the Microsoft contract execution process.
• Maintain a high-level of internal and external partner satisfaction by communicating clearly, setting expectations early, and addressing issues constructively.
• Work with management across Europe, Asia, and the Americas to shape our games business strategy and policies.
• Drive the regional execution and operation of Microsoft’s games initiatives across multiple product groups, subsidiaries, and regional organizations.

Qualifications

• Passionate and knowledgeable about all forms of interactive entertainment and experience in the console and PC gaming industry.
• Thorough understanding of game developers, publishers, and their needs.
• Substantial experience spanning business development and strategy in gaming and interactive entertainment, with an understanding for publishing, distribution, development, and technology deals.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to reach outcomes that balance partner needs, long‑term relationships, and Microsoft’s strategic goals.
• Strong business acumen and ability to think strategically and execute tactically.
• Ability to work independently and juggle multiple projects and priorities.
• Cross-functional work experience within business development, finance, and marketing.
• Demonstrated learning mindset, curiosity, and the ability to quickly develop context across technical, commercial, and operational domains.
• BA/BSc (or equivalent) in business or technology required; MBA or MA a plus.
• Additional language fluency a plus.

The position is based in the UK, with consideration for onsite and/or virtual work flexibility and will require international and domestic travel. This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this position. The scope and level of this role may be adjusted based on candidate experience and demonstrated impact and the actual duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may vary based on assignment or group.

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.

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.