Senior Business Manager

We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated, and personable Senior Business Manager to join the legal team supporting Microsoft's AI (MAI), Strategic Missions & Technologies (SMT), and Technology & Research (T&R) organizations. These groups drive a variety of key initiatives across Microsoft, including AI model and systems development, consumer-focused AI product development, strategic technical partnerships, and broad-scale fundamental research. 

Responsibilities

Business Operations & Rhythm of Business: 

• Serve as an extension of the CVP, as a force multiplier, to elevate the organization and help the team work better together. 

• Guide the leadership team in managing and integrating planning processes, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and cross-functional integration across the broader organization. 

• Oversee the development and execution of the Rhythm of Business (ROB), collaborating with senior leaders to achieve key outcomes and align organizational objectives with overarching goals. Manage business review cadences effectively. 

• Partner with Finance and senior leadership to design, approve, and manage budgets and forecasting plans. Develop metrics to track financial performance and identify corrective actions to enhance business outcomes. Align headcount strategy with organizational objectives. Identify operational gaps and opportunities to streamline and create new efficient processes. 

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to drive the creation and execution of operational plans, ensuring seamless coordination across teams. 

• Ensure organizational accountability in executing core business activities, providing clarity in ambiguous situations to drive effective prioritization and decision-making for leaders. 

• Drive internal comms and business updates to provide visibility and transparency on key developments and notable events for the organization. 

Strategy Execution & Activation: 

• Monitor team health, support leaders in addressing cultural issues, and champion diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives. 

• Leverage a deep understanding of leadership goals and business strategies to align activities with strategic objectives. Assist in key business management areas such as goal setting, team culture, budget/finance, and communications. 

• Synthesize information into actionable insights to inform business decisions, providing strategic advice and fostering leadership influence. Support people management as needed, and lead the implementation of organizational changes, including employee data management and skilling plans. 

• Utilize relationships and key partnerships to influence strategic decisions, ensure alignment, and support leadership initiatives. Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and manage relationships with senior leaders, synthesizing input and developing action plans. 

Special Projects & Programs: 

• Lead cross-functional projects to address evolving business needs and drive complex initiatives. May serve as a project/program manager to ensure successful execution of strategic efforts requiring coordination across multiple disciplines and business units. 

• Develop and deliver presentations and messaging on the team’s mission and strategic priorities. Provide executive-level communication tailored to a variety of internal and external aud