Business Manager

We are looking for an experienced Business Manager to join the legal team supporting Microsoft’s global cloud expansion and the Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) business. CO+I is responsible for the infrastructure supporting Microsoft’s cloud services and AI, including everything from land development, renewable energy, construction, datacenter operations, and compliance.

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. 

Responsibilities

Business Operations & Rhythm of Business

• Partners with the leadership team to develop and execute planning processes, ensuring coordination with corporate planning processes as well as planning integration across the broader organization. Helps in defining and managing the team's rhythm of business (ROB). Works with cross-company/team counterparts to manage team participation as needed for key business events, next fiscal year planning, running business reviews, and other strategic business planning activities. Collaborates with the leadership team to articulate objectives that are in alignment with the goals of the organization.
• Working with the leader, help drive accountability for the team and organization in executing core business activities. Uses understanding of priorities based on scorecards and communicates in a simple way. Aligns priorities with key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics. Creates clarity in ambiguous situations to facilitate and drive prioritization and decision making for leaders across the organization. May use qualitative data for tracking performance.
• Drive prioritization and prepare the team for leadership staff meetings; drive content alignment across teams for executive review.
• End to end management of legal organization’s extensive financial operations, including forecasting/reforecasting, fiscal planning, reporting and related tools, expense movement (cross-charging), and headcount management. Collaborate with key financial partners.
• Manage engagements with law firms and other external partners.

Strategy Execution & Activation

• Serve as an extension of the LT; prep the LT for stakeholder and/or client meetings.
• Drive cross-team projects as needed to meet the changing business environment and manage business needs
• Prepare and present regular status reports to executive leadership.
• Drives the development of content for internal and external communication. Communicates relevant information to the organization as required.
• Leverages manager and leader input to create foundational and storytelling content to articulate strategies, results and goals where needed. Synthesizes findings within workstream and identifies links to broader strategic efforts. Leverages understanding of audience needs to ensure content is tailored to audience preferences and breaks down complex information into actionable steps for audience. Carries out related reporting and exception management as required.
• Monitors team/organization health and supports the leader in responding to team culture issues, as well as promoting cultural and D&I initiatives.

Special Projects & Programs

• Serve as program manager for special projects & programs at the LT level.

Embody our Culture  &  Values 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field (e.g., Liberal Arts, Business Administration, Management, Computer Science) and 4+ years’ experience in financial management, business planning, operations management, strategy, project management, human resources, or business-related roles
  • OR equivalent experience

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a leadership position, including the ability to work closely with leadership and promote collaboration among cross-functional teams.
• Keen business sense, ability to think creatively and strategically, ability to navigate ambiguity, bias for action and a sense of humor.
• Th