Ireland is selected as the location for a new EMEA Inside Sales Centre with the immediate creation of 500 new roles Recruitment of 100 people across Finance, Operations, Engineering, Sales, also underway Employees at Microsoft rewarded with a range of benefits to support them at work and at home

Microsoft today announced that it is to hire 600 people, significantly increasing its commitment to Ireland. Following the selection of Dublin as the location for one of four global Inside Sales Centres, 500 new roles have been created with immediate effect. The Company also announced that it is recruiting a further 100 people across its existing operations with opportunities in a broad range of roles with opportunities available in Operations, Engineering, Data Centre Management, Technical Solutions, Search Account Management and traditional customer sales. These new recruits will join the 1,200 people already working with Microsoft in the Dublin based EMEA Operations Centre, the European Development Centre, the Irish Sales and Marketing Subsidiary and at the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) Data Centre.

500 digital inside sales professionals are being recruited immediately to serve customers from the state-of-the-art Inside Sales Centre in Dublin. The establishment of an EMEA Inside Sales Centre supports the evolution of Microsoft’s interaction with customers and partners – transforming and digitizing the sales experience.

The EMEA Inside Sales Centre will enable highly trained sellers to leverage leading-edge technology tools and analytics to better meet customer needs. The approach creates a sales experience for customers which is personalized to address their business challenges or business opportunities, and enables them to engage with Microsoft through their preferred channel. The Inside Sales Centre in Dublin will serve customers across EMEA in over 30 different languages.

Speaking at the announcement of the new investment, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D., said: “Ireland and Microsoft have enjoyed a long and prosperous history since their establishment in Ireland in 1985 and I’m delighted that this relationship continues to bloom with the announcement of 600 new jobs in Dublin. The Government has worked hard in recent years to make Ireland an even more attractive place to invest and growth substantial European operations. Today’s announcement underlines the strong commitment of Microsoft to its Irish operation and the strength of leadership of its Irish management team. The establishment of their transformational Inside Sale Centre is a testament to the attractiveness of Ireland as a location with our strong commitment to our EU membership, a competitive tax regime, a business-friendly environment and a skilled workforce with high levels of education. Finally, I wish all Microsoft employees every success in the future on their new state of the art campus in Leopardstown.”

Speaking at the event, Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’ Connor T.D said: “I’m delighted to be here at Microsoft today to join them in announcing this latest investment in their Irish operations and welcome the creation of an additional 600 jobs. This latest investment, which brings an exciting new multi-skilled business activity to the company’s Dublin base, further enhances the company’s presence in Ireland and is vindication of the competitive advantage Ireland can offer. The extensive Microsoft operation in Ireland has grown significantly in recent years and we look forward to our very successful relationship continuing to develop in the years ahead “.

Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director, Microsoft Ireland said: “Our CEO, Satya Nadella, is creating a culture of innovation and is bringing amazing technology to people with products like HoloLens and Surface Studio, with lots more to come. The team in Ireland has a long track record of helping the company to deliver against its vision and strategy and now there are opportunities for 600 more individuals to play their part in making the vision a reality. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the government and the IDA for helping to bring this investment to fruition.”

Lisa Dillon, Managing Director, EMEA Inside Sales said: “The way we meet our customers’ needs is changing. We are creating an industry-leading digital marketing and data-driven sales approach to engage customers on their terms. We are looking for people to join us as we create the future of digital selling. The team we hire in Ireland will play a vital role in empowering our customers and partners across EMEA, drawing on the full array of Microsoft products and services in an era of digital transformation.”

The recruitment process for the newly created Inside Sales roles in Ireland has already started, but truly gets underway today with an ambition to have the organisation fully operational by the middle of the year. While many roles require previous sales or technical experience, the company is also seeking to recruit graduates with a few years’ experience who have the passion and aptitude necessary for these exciting opportunities. Microsoft is offering an extensive array of benefits in addition to a competitive package for the right candidates. Individuals with the relevant skills are being offered the opportunity to enjoy an exciting and rewarding career with one of the world’s leading technology companies.

Microsoft today stated that the successful candidates for Inside Sales and the other roles across the organisation will benefit from a progressive career path, including continuous investments in personalised professional development plans which will include the opportunity to secure additional qualifications and certification to help them become world class digital sellers.

For those in Inside Sales, the Microsoft Digital Seller Programme will give the recruits the opportunity to work towards a Diploma in Digital Selling in their first year and to attain a Post-Graduate Diploma in Digital Selling in year two. Managers will have the opportunity to work towards a Post-Graduate Diploma in Digital Sales Leadership. These certifications will be awarded by Dublin Institute of Technology.

Those working at Microsoft benefit from Fuel Your Everything, an employee wellbeing programme designed by the company to assist employees in fuelling their mind, body and life. This holistic wellbeing offering is provided in two ways: through a set of Wellbeing Experiences, which aims to develop employee capability or key life skills, including, financial wellbeing, mindfulness, peak performance and a parenting programme. There is also a wide range of Wellness Centre treatments such as a Gym, Spin classes, Yoga classes, health screening, physiotherapy, dental and optical, massage, reflexology, barber and even a nail salon! Employees also have access to extensive high end catering facilities to meet all their needs, complimentary private health insurance, three fully paid working days to volunteer for non-profit organisations of their choice and a matching funds program where the company matches employee donations.

Lisa Dillon concluded: “If you start here with us in Inside Sales, you will have the opportunity to develop your career within the company with almost limitless opportunities both here and abroad.”

Martin Shanahan, CEO at IDA Ireland said: “Microsoft’s decision to create 600 jobs in addition to its current workforce is testament not only to the company’s continued commitment to Ireland but also to the high calibre technical talent that is readily available throughout the country. Microsoft’s dynamic Irish workforce has facilitated the delivery of the firm’s global strategy. Microsoft’s expanding presence in Dublin further strengthens the capital city’s international reputation as a leading technology hub. I wish Microsoft every success with their future operations in Ireland.”

This year will be a milestone year for Microsoft in Ireland. Not only will the company increase its workforce significantly, but it will also move into a new campus in Leopardstown before the end of the calendar year. The €134M investment in the new campus will create an unrivalled workplace for the Dublin-based team, with views of the mountains and race and golf courses, technology embedded throughout the building, state-of-the-art gym and exercise spaces, a range of cuisine at bespoke designed restaurants, and rooftop terraces. The new campus is proving a significant attraction for people who are looking for an airy and modern workplace of the future which facilitates their desire to be close to open spaces while retaining easy access to the city centre, sea and mountains through a range of public transport links.

Further details of the available roles can be found at www.microsoft.ie/InsideSalesDublin.