The Azure AI Platform team, part of the C+AI organization, is looking for an ambitious, creative, results-driven Chief of Staff who is passionate about organizational effectiveness and building team culture. Azure AI Platform is responsible for Azure Machine Learning, Cognitive Services, Cognitive Search, and internal platforms that provide data, experimentation, and GPU cluster management to groups across Microsoft. The Chief of Staff, reporting to the Azure AI Platform CVP and partnering closely with the leadership team, will ensure the strategic execution of team priorities, be responsible for business performance and budget management, while acting as an advisor for the CVP and leadership team (LT). This role requires a highly resourceful, self-driven individual with the ability to partner, execute, and lead through influence. Our ideal candidate loves working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, leads by example, has sound business judgement, problem-solving expertise, and wants to drive significant impact

Responsibilities

Business Management: Oversee the organization’s financial and headcount management strategy and work in close partnership with the AI Platform Business Manager to ensure processes and procedures are in line with the strategy. Drive Rhythm of Business (ROB) including alignment of product planning activities with monthly and quarterly prioritization, while collaborating with the LT and internal partners to meet those objectives.

Financial Management: Lead budget planning and forecasting, hiring strategy, and resource management in alignment with the ROB. Manage the team's OPEX and COGS budget, headcount and spend in partnership with Business Manager and finance to ensure effective budget management. Ensure teams have a deep understanding of people/discretionary and non-people spend and drive to quarterly and FY financial targets/accountabilities. Lead fiscal planning process for the team in partnership with Finance.

Customer & Partner Engagement: Own and lead the preparation and follow-up for all customer and executive reviews and customer briefings, partnering closely with the Cloud + AI Chief of Staff Office, Customer Accounts, Field, Business, and Marketing teams. Serve as a proxy for the CVP when required.

Executive Communications: Oversee the Azure AI Platform communication function including employee and customer engagement. Partner with the Azure AI Platform Comms Manager to drive impactful internal comms, messaging, content for team meetings and events, and partner with PR team on external communications.  

Culture and People Programs: Work closely with the CVP and HR to identify, analyze, and develop strategies to improve organizational health as indicated by MS Poll results, from personal observation (requires a good pulse on the org), or other employee listening systems. Work closely with LT and business admin team on overall morale strategy and fun events. Elevate our partnership with Recruiting to ensure our organization attracts the best and brightest candidates and any openings are filled quickly and meet organizational hiring objectives.

Special Programs/Projects: Support and participate in strategic initiatives or cross-group projects contributing to the overall organizational strategy including, but not limited to, organization awards, manager excellence and D&I initiatives. Plan, lead, and facilitate leadership and team offsites ensuring materials are sent in advance, time is well spent, and objectives are achieved. Monitor and strengthen our business policies, audit and improve our capacity for operating our business effectively. Create and implement accurate plans and develop success metrics and communication approach for these initiatives and projects.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of proven management experience and results with experience across multiple disciplines
• 5+ years of experience in a program/project manaagement, engineering, finance, technical advisor or administrative role
• Outstanding program management skills to organize a busy workload and deliver projects on time
• Strong attention to detail and a focus on execution
• Experience in strategic planning and strong business acumen
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work with people across the organization at all levels
• Capable of strong individual contribution and influence across non-direct reporting teams
• Experience working in creative team environment
• Ability and emotional maturity to work in a productive and cooperative way with a variety of people ranging from CVPs to individual contributors and support staff
• Ability to translate ideas into clear, high impact communications
• Ability to maintain good judgment in fast-paced, high-stress environments
• Ability to excel in an ambiguous environment, orchestrating strategic and complex business activity
• Experience of building effective business processes for diverse teams

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

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.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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