Chief of Staff - MAI Search Fundamentals

Overview

The Chief of Staff for the MAI Search Fundamentals team is a strategic partner to the leadership team, driving operational excellence, enabling effective decision-making, and fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture. This role is pivotal in aligning cross-functional initiatives, managing business rhythms, and ensuring seamless execution of strategic priorities across engineering and product domains.

The ideal candidate has broad knowledge about service infrastructure (Search & AI preferred), track record in driving large technical initiatives, and great communication skills.

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.

Starting January 26, 2026, Microsoft AI (MAI) employees who live within a 50-mile commute of a designated Microsoft office in the U.S. or 25-mile commute of a non-U.S., country-specific location are expected to work from the office at least four days per week. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and carry out the rhythm of business (ROB), while also driving business strategy initiatives. You’ll also execute business plans to ensure continuous operations.
• Partner closely with MAI Leadership to drive strategic planning, execution, and alignment across groups.
• Provide leadership support by ensuring business activities are aligned with their goals. This will involve leading multiple workstreams, leveraging key partnerships to drive leadership agenda. Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to leadership, enabling clarity and focus.
• Manage executive level communications with a variety of internal audiences. Drive change management across the organization. Focus on improving employee engagement to drive impactful internal and external comms, meetings, AMA (Ask Me Anything) and other applicable communications.
• Support organizational health efforts, including culture, inclusion, and team effectiveness.
• Coordinate with finance, Human Resources, and other support functions to ensure operational efficiency. This includes Position Control Number (PCN) and Headcount (HC) management, as well as budget management.
• Work in close collaboration with the broader business management community to align with MAI, Search LT process, and policies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 8+ years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years people management experience.
• 6+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 15+ years experience engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.
• 6+ years people management experience.
• 10+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
• 5+ years of prior Chief of Staff experience supporting executive leadership.
• 5+ experience of engineering or technical program management in large scale service infrastructure, preferably in search, advertising, AI.
• 1+ year(s) of experience reading and/or writing code (e.g., sample documentation, product demos).