Cloud & AI Acquisition Specialist
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Cloud & AI Acquisition Specialist
- Company: Microsoft
- Location: San José, Costa Rica
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Category: Sales & Business Development
- Date Posted: 2025-07-31
- Experience Level: 0-2 years
- Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
- Drive Cloud & AI solution sales in mid-market accounts, collaborating with technical and consulting teams.
- Accelerate career growth through strategic customer conversations and solution design.
- Develop technical and consultative selling skills, aligning cloud strategies with customer transformation goals.
- Build future-ready capabilities in cloud and AI technologies through continuous learning.
- Contribute to a culture of innovation and share best practices across teams.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for early-career professionals eager to make a significant impact in the fast-paced, digital-first environment of Microsoft's SME&C team.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
- Solution Sales: Lead high-impact Cloud & AI solution plays across diverse industries, engaging in strategic customer conversations to exceed quarterly revenue targets.
- Collaboration: Work closely with technical, partner, and consulting resources to advance the sales process and drive customer success.
- Customer Engagement: Build deep business acumen by aligning cloud strategies with customer transformation goals and success metrics.
- Leadership & Influence: Collaborate across teams, contribute to a culture of innovation, and share best practices to strengthen leadership and influence.
- Continuous Learning: Develop future-ready capabilities through certifications, hands-on workshops, and continuous learning in cloud and AI technologies.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires strong communication, problem-solving, and consultative selling skills, with a focus on understanding customer needs and driving strategic solutions.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Computer Science, or a related field. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Experience: 0-2 years of sales, business development, or related experience.
Required Skills:
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong, long-lasting customer relationships
- Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
- Ability to understand customer needs and provide appropriate solutions
- Strong business acumen and analytical thinking
- Proficiency in cloud and AI technologies (e.g., Azure, AI services)
- Fluent in English (additional languages are a plus)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in mid-market sales or business development
- Familiarity with Microsoft's Cloud & AI offerings
- Knowledge of partner ecosystems and collaboration tools
- Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Dynamics 365)
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is targeted at early-career professionals, candidates with relevant experience in cloud and AI technologies, sales, or business development are encouraged to apply.
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements (N/A for this role)
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The salary range for this role in San José, Costa Rica, is approximately CRC 4,000,000 - 6,000,000 per year (USD 6,500 - 10,000 per year), depending on experience and qualifications. This estimate is based on regional market research and industry standards for early-career sales professionals.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive health benefits package
- Retirement savings plan with company matching
- Generous time off and leave policies
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Employee discounts on Microsoft products and services
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project deadlines and customer needs.
📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft offers competitive compensation and benefits packages, with a focus on employee growth and development.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Technology, with a focus on cloud computing, AI, and productivity tools.
Company Size: Large (over 180,000 employees worldwide), with a decentralized, global structure.
Founded: 1975, with a rich history of innovation and market leadership in the technology industry.
Team Structure:
- The SME&C team is a high-growth, AI-powered global sales organization focused on customer success.
- The team is deeply connected to partners and customers, with a culture of innovation, opportunity, and inclusivity.
- The Cloud & AI team is responsible for driving sales and adoption of Microsoft's cloud and AI offerings.
Development Methodology:
- Microsoft follows an Agile development methodology, with a focus on continuous improvement and customer feedback.
- The company encourages a growth mindset, innovation, and collaboration across teams.
Company Website: Microsoft Careers
📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture is centered around empowering employees to achieve more, with a strong emphasis on innovation, growth, and customer success.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: Early-career sales professional, with opportunities for growth and development in the fast-paced, dynamic environment of Microsoft's SME&C team.
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Cloud & AI Sales Manager, with opportunities for cross-functional collaboration with technical, partner, and consulting teams.
Technical Impact: As a Cloud & AI Acquisition Specialist, you will have a direct impact on driving customer adoption of Microsoft's cloud and AI offerings, helping customers achieve their strategic goals and stay ahead of the competition.
Growth Opportunities:
- Career Progression: Opportunities for career progression within the SME&C team, as well as across Microsoft's broader organization.
- Technical Skill Development: Continuous learning and development opportunities in cloud and AI technologies.
- Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to develop leadership and mentorship skills through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's Elevate and Early-in-Profession (EiP) programs are designed to accelerate new hires' productivity, integrate them into the company's culture, and set them on a path for long-term growth.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster innovation and teamwork.
Office Location(s): San José, Costa Rica, with opportunities for travel to customer sites and other Microsoft offices worldwide.
Workspace Context:
- Collaboration: Open workspaces with ample meeting and collaboration areas.
- Technology: Access to state-of-the-art technology, tools, and resources to support productivity and innovation.
- Work-Life Balance: Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options, to support work-life balance.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility for project deadlines and customer needs. The work schedule may include occasional travel to customer sites or other Microsoft offices.
📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's work environment is designed to support employee productivity, collaboration, and work-life balance, with a focus on fostering innovation and growth.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your background, experience, and fit for the role.
- Behavioral Interview: A structured interview focused on your problem-solving skills, customer engagement, and sales experience.
- Role-Play Scenario: A role-play exercise to assess your ability to engage in strategic customer conversations and drive solution sales.
- Final Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager to discuss your fit for the role and the team.
Portfolio Review Tips: (N/A for this role)
Technical Challenge Preparation: (N/A for this role)
ATS Keywords: (See the comprehensive list below)
📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's interview process is designed to assess your problem-solving skills, customer engagement, and sales experience, with a focus on driving solution sales and customer success.
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure (N/A for this role)
👥 Team Culture & Values
Web Development Values:
- Customer Obsessed: Focus on understanding and meeting customer needs.
- One Microsoft: Collaborate and work together across teams and functions.
- Learn It All: Embrace a growth mindset and continuous learning.
- Leadership: Inspire and empower others to achieve more.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Collaborate with technical, partner, and consulting teams to drive customer success.
- Code Review Culture: Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and best practice exchange.
- Peer Programming: Encourage collaboration and teamwork to drive innovation and growth.
📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture is centered around empowering employees to achieve more, with a strong emphasis on customer success, collaboration, and continuous learning.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Solution Sales: Drive high-impact Cloud & AI solution plays across diverse industries, engaging in strategic customer conversations.
- Customer Engagement: Build deep business acumen by aligning cloud strategies with customer transformation goals and success metrics.
- Leadership & Influence: Collaborate across teams, contribute to a culture of innovation, and share best practices to strengthen leadership and influence.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Career Progression: Opportunities for career progression within the SME&C team, as well as across Microsoft's broader organization.
- Technical Skill Development: Continuous learning and development opportunities in cloud and AI technologies.
- Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to develop leadership and mentorship skills through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's Elevate and Early-in-Profession (EiP) programs are designed to accelerate new hires' productivity, integrate them into the company's culture, and set them on a path for long-term growth.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Customer Engagement: Prepare examples of your ability to engage in strategic customer conversations and drive solution sales.
- Problem-Solving: Practice problem-solving scenarios to demonstrate your ability to understand customer needs and provide appropriate solutions.
- Sales Process: Familiarize yourself with Microsoft's sales process and be prepared to discuss your experience with sales methodologies and tools.
Company & Culture Questions:
- Microsoft's Mission: Be prepared to discuss Microsoft's mission and how this role contributes to achieving it.
- Microsoft's Values: Understand and be prepared to discuss Microsoft's values and how you embody them in your work.
- Team Dynamics: Research the SME&C team and be prepared to discuss how you would contribute to its culture and success.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy: (N/A for this role)
📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's interview process is designed to assess your problem-solving skills, customer engagement, and sales experience, with a focus on driving solution sales and customer success.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Cloud & AI Acquisition Specialist position:
- Submit your application through the Microsoft Careers website.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience, customer engagement skills, and relevant qualifications.
- Prepare for the interview process by researching Microsoft's mission, values, and sales methodologies.
- Practice problem-solving scenarios and be ready to discuss your approach to customer engagement and solution sales.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Microsoft before making application decisions.
Comprehensive ATS Keywords:
Programming Languages:
- None (sales role)
Web Frameworks:
- None (sales role)
Server Technologies:
- Azure
- AI Services
Databases:
- None (sales role)
Tools:
- Dynamics 365
- Microsoft Office Suite
- CRM systems
Methodologies:
- Agile
- Sales methodologies (e.g., Solution Selling, Consultative Selling)
Soft Skills:
- Communication
- Presentation
- Negotiation
- Problem-solving
- Customer engagement
- Business acumen
- Leadership
- Collaboration
- Teamwork
Industry Terms:
- Cloud Computing
- AI Technologies
- Mid-Market Sales
- Solution Sales
- Customer Success
- Strategic Conversations
- Transformation Goals
- Sales Process
- CRM Systems
- Partner Collaboration
- Continuous Learning
- Innovation
- Culture of Innovation
- Customer Obsessed
- One Microsoft
- Learn It All
- Leadership
- Empowering Employees
- Achieving More
Application Requirements
The role requires a passion for AI and the ability to engage in strategic customer conversations. Candidates should be eager to develop technical and consultative selling skills while aligning cloud strategies with customer transformation goals.