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Principal Corporate Counsel

Microsoft
New York City, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 15 May 2026
💰 $248,600/yr($132,200/yr$248,600/yr)

About the role

Overview

Microsoft’s Corporate and External Affairs (CELA) Global Trade Legal team advances Microsoft's mission through international trade policies, strategies and solutions that foster a culture of compliance, trust, and innovation across Microsoft and with our partners and customers worldwide.  

 

The Supply Chain Security and Customs team within Global Trade CELA, drives trade-related customs, national security, and supplier due diligence compliance programs, initiatives, and requirements across the company. The team has an immediate opening for in the role of Principal Corporate Counsel to counsel and collaborate with engineers, business leaders, responsible sourcing, and CELA teams to build durable and risk-based compliance programs and tools,  leveraging AI.  In this role you will work with stakeholders across levels and disciplines of the organization to identify and resolve legal and business risks, advise on regulatory and compliance matters, and handle day-to-day project-related legal issues.  You will take a strategic view in driving beyond the day-to-day – helping to build a robust plan for both today and tomorrow to implement and drive continuous innovation and improvement in compliance solutions.  In this role, you will lead the advancement and implementation of national security and customs compliance strategies and solutions through engagement and collaboration with external stakeholders, as well as key internal business partners and stakeholders.    

 

To be successful you will demonstrate sound, principled and consistent judgment in fast-paced ambiguous environments; a thorough understanding of trade – in particular import compliance and supply chain due diligence – laws and regulations; a track record of cross-collaboration; commitment to integrity; solution-driven creativity and a business-enabling mindset; the ability to drive clarity from the complex.  

 

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and we are dedicated to this mission across every aspect of our company. Our Culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. Join us and help shape the future of the world. 

Responsibilities

Legal Counsel:

  • Counsel Microsoft key stakeholders on trade-related national security and customs regulatory developments and compliance strategies.  
  • Provide advice grounded in an understanding of how relevant laws and regulations may impact regulatory relationships and the development and distribution of products and services. 
  • Work with relevant CELA and business teams to translate legal and regulatory requirements into engineering-facing guidance that can be operationalized at scale. 
  • Identify and anticipate legal risks in the client’s technology, program design, or process design and assist clients with developing creative solutions and alternatives to mitigate potential risk in a cost-effective way.  
  • Improve decision-making on key compliance issues by, ensuring clarity and managing a coordinated approach to a complex problem. 

 

Operational Excellence:

  • Create efficiencies by developing scalable resources, distributing helpful information, providing presentations and trainings.  
  • Identify and propose opportunities to reduce complexity and mitigate risk, including through automated solutions, to assure compliance globally. 
  • Suggest improvements, identify best practices, and provide continuous feedback to make the delivery of legal services within your work group more efficient. 

 

Communication & Culture