Senior Writer, Microsoft Commercial Brand Studio

As a Senior Writer, Microsoft Commercial Brand Studio, you’ll light up the experiences that support how commercial customers across industries buy cloud services from Microsoft. We’re looking for a Senior Writer with creative copywriting experience and a desire to bring our brand to life and deliver amazing experiences. We’re looking for someone who loves to create compelling copy that engages customers at every stage in the customer journey—from consideration to onboarding.

We’re the Copy Studio, a fast-paced group of writers and editors with global stakeholders. We sit in the  Microsoft Commercial Brand Studio in the Global Demand Center (GDC) and help create experiences for Microsoft’s commercial offerings. We focus on getting things done, simplifying anything and everything, while having fun doing it. You’ll be in the middle of it all helping to make decisions that impact our resources, timelines, and global experiences.

Who you are:

  • Experienced writer. You have a diverse portfolio—ads, emails, web copy, social, multichannel campaigns–and have the portfolio to prove it. Your sentences are squeaky clean, compelling, and conversational. You relentlessly cut through the clutter to get to the core message. You know when jargon is useful and when it gets in the way, when to add a dash of style, and when to just stick to facts.
  • Top-notch editor. You’re nitpicky about style rules, offended by typos, and instantly know how to make a bad draft better.
  • De-mystifier. You’re not daunted by complex projects and have an uncanny ability to unravel complicated issues and come up with clear copy solutions that make things easier for our customers.
  • Collaborator. You can work in highly matrixed organizations across marketing, engineering, and business operations, taking others’ perspectives with an open mind.
  • Audience-obsessed. You’re laser-focused on your audience and their needs and interests. Your copy respects their time and intelligence, but never assumes readers inherently know or care about what you’re talking about.
  • Creative. You can make even the most seemingly boring, technical concepts compelling and understandable.
  • Versed in Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is the latest tool in your writing toolbox and you’re looking to take prompting from a second language to second nature.
  • Fact-based, data-driven. You persuade with facts, not fluff. And always challenge your assumptions and word choices using surveys, A/B tests, and other tools.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

  • 3+ years proven writing or content design experience AND a certification, degree, or training in English, Writing, Human-centered Design, Literature, or related field
    • OR equivalent experience.
  • 1+ year(s) project leadership experience.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

  • 5+ years demonstrated growth in writing or content design AND a certification, degree, or training in English, Writing, or related field
    • OR equivalent experience.
  • 3+ years project leadership experience.
  • 5+ years of marketing or advertising copywriting experience
  • Effective communication skills, both written and spoken
  • Deep understanding of marketing and experience writing copy 
  • Creativity and consistent record in delivering innovative approaches 
  • Experience working from briefs and translating creative direction and messaging into compelling copy
  • Ability to work under constant deadline pressure and manage multiple projects across multiple teams with grace and flexibility
  • Understanding of editorial style guides and the ability to write copy aligned to brand voice standards
  • Experience using data to direct copy choice and influence stakeholders
  • Ability to communicate professionally across teams and levels in ambiguous environments
  • Understanding of the creative process and the ability to work collaboratively with designers and stakeholders
  • Deep understanding of brand voice principles
  • Familiarity with cloud computing concepts and technologies
  • Understanding of Search engine optimization (SEO) best practices
  • Proven examples of work through an online portfolio will be required to show int he interview process

Writing IC4 – The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $117,200 – $229,200 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $153,600 – $250,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until November 6, 2024.

Responsibilities

  • Write and edit: Your primary job is to concept and write copy for web experiences, social, video, relationship marketing email, and other assets and experiences. Be it writing from the ground up based on briefs or rolling up your sleeves to help shape existing copy—you’re ready to make it the best it can be.
  • Optimize: You brainstorm new ways of engaging with our audiences and apply lessons and best practices to other initiatives.