Have you ever wanted to work in education at Microsoft? Now is your chance!

Those of you who joined us for Microsoft’s Innovative Education either online or in person yesterday may have noticed that I was carrying some extra weight as I welcomed everyone to the event and introduced our keynotes onstage. This is not something I’d usually announce on this blog, but I am indeed having a baby in February.

The Partners in Learning team and my manager, our Education director, have been trying to figure out the best way to cover for me while I’m on maternity leave. We decided to divide up some of my work amongst Education team members, leave Stuart in charge of our new Innovative Schools Programme, and hire someone to manage our Innovative Teachers Programme from January through August 2011.

Ideally, we’re looking for a teacher who is passionate about teaching and wants to be an advocate for Microsoft technology in learning. We are happy to work with existing teachers who want an 8-month secondment with Microsoft, or with recent teachers who are looking for an interesting and fulfilling experience to add to your CVs. The work is exciting, fast-paced, and demanding, but you’d get to work with a great team and it’s certainly fun.

The official job details are below, along with an email address for you to send your CVs. You can see there is a very short window to send in your CVs, as we’re closing this application process on 9 December 2010 – NEXT WEEK.

Please take a look at the information below and use the contact email below if you have any questions.

Job Description

The role works as part of the UK Education Team. The role is to carry on the execution of the Worldwide Innovative teacher programme for the UK. This is an established worldwide programme. This is part of the wide Partners in Learning programme. The Purpose of the role is outlined below

The Innovative Teachers Programme Manager will run all activities associated with the Innovative Teachers Programme as part of Partners in Learning in England, Scotland and Wales. This includes:

• Co-writing the UK Teachers blog
• Running the teacher evangelist programme – and speaking at conferences and school/authority/partner events
• Managing teacher travel and projects for the European Innovative Education forum in Moscow in March
• Finishing development of CPD materials for teachers
• Managing Twitter and other social marketing of MS programmes to teachers
• Organising any free events for teachers, such as trainings for teachers and partners

Applicants should have classroom teaching experience with a focus on using technology to enhance teaching and learning as well as experience and willingness to work closely with a team and evangelise Microsoft technology to teachers.

The role is a Maternity cover position and we require someone from January 2011 to August 2011.

Microsoft’s vision for Education is ‘Anytime Anywhere Learning for All’. Through the use of technology we believe that this vision will become a reality. We believe technology can really help students and educators realise their full potential. Education is a strategic market for Microsoft as we try to influence the next generation of decision makers by giving them a great experience of Microsoft technology.

Key Accountabilities

• Working as part of the UK Education team and driving the Innovative teacher programme

• Adoption of Microsoft technologies by teachers

• Teachers proactively talking about Microsoft technologies as an aid to teaching

• Teachers Blogging and tweeting with positive comments on Microsoft technology as an aid to learning

Key Success Criteria

• Great feedback from community
• Development of Ideas and execution to evolve the Innovative teacher programme
• Great feedback from internal stakeholders

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1) Essential Experience

• A deep and broad understanding of the IT needs of teachers in the UK both at Primary and Secondary level.
• Sound knowledge required of Microsoft technology including Windows and Microsoft Office
• Ideally the candidate should be an existing teacher
• Presentation Skills essential – ability to present to audiences on the use of technology by teachers in the classroom.
• Good teaming skills to work across the Microsoft education team
• Existing user of Blogs and Tweets

2) Technical Skills

• Good understanding of Microsoft Windows and Office and how these technologies are used by teachers. Ideally the candidate should also understand other Microsoft technologies like Microsoft OneNote.

3) Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated and tenacious
• Ability to work in a team
• Results oriented and good decision making skills
• Resilient to making long term strategies effective
• Good communicator with team members and customers
• Capable of seeing projects with long timescales through to completion
• Working cross company and coordinating resources

4) Qualifications

• Degree qualification essential
• Teacher related qualifications essential

5) Process

• Please send you CV to – Claire Harris – Talent Source Programme Coordinator – (v-charri@microsoft.com)
• Closing date for this role is 9^th December 2010