Business Manager

Microsoft is where passionate innovators come together to build, collaborate, innovate, and take their careers to the next level. It’s a place of limitless possibilities – where openness fuels innovation and the cloud enabled world powers the next technological transformation.

Microsoft’s Azure Data Engineering team is leading data transformation in the era of AI. Our portfolio of products includes Microsoft Fabric (Fabric Real-Time Intelligence, OneLake, Fabric Graph), Azure SQL DB, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure PostgreSQL to name a few. Our mission is to build the data platform for the age of AI through powering a new class of data-first applications and culture.

The Chief of Staff office manages all the behind-the-scenes Budget, Headcount and Operating procedures and processes to ensure that the Azure Data Engineering priorities can be achieved. Our team makes tangible impact on this growing organization, getting things done efficiently and at-scale. We span large and diverse global teams, and drive processes and practices that streamline the business and drive results.

As a Business Manager, you will partner with a Chief of Staff to oversee operations—including budget, headcount, and ROB—while managing gross margin analysis, financial planning, and historical trends. You’ll proactively identify process improvements based on business trends and their impact on financial outlooks.

Success in this role will require deep partnership building and collaboration with the Azure Data Central Finance Director, Product and Engineering teams, and Microsoft Finance stakeholders; while maintaining strong communication and operational capabilities ensuring all relevant parties are up to date and informed with the relevant data on their portfolios. You’ll support the business at all levels, uphold high professional standards, and manage confidential information. If you thrive in fast-paced, innovative environments and enjoy strategic execution, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

Business Operations & Integration

• Collaborates with leadership to develop and execute financial planning processes, ensuring alignment with corporate finance strategies and integration across the organization.
• Oversees the management and control of the budget, including setting financial targets, managing pre-approval and approval workflows, and driving efficiency in resource allocation.
• Prepares and maintains comprehensive financial reports, comparing budgeted versus actual expenditures for resources.
• Supports business reviews by delivering financial analyses, key operational results, and actionable insights to enable effective financial management and decision-making.
• Manages the financial rhythm of business (ROB), coordinating with cross-functional teams for fiscal planning, business reviews, and strategic financial activities.
• Ensures continuity of financial operations during periods of change or special circumstances.
• Contributes to the development of solutions for financial challenges and communicates business continuity plans with Microsoft corporate Crisis Management, Business Continuity teams, and partners.

Maximizing/Extending the Leader

• Support the Chief of Staff in one or more key business management areas (e.g., setting key goals, priorities and communications). Synthesize information into insights that inform business decisions, leveraging expertise to influence leadership team.

Communications

• Drive internal communications for financial business updates across databases and with key leadership stakeholders.
• Contribute to building user friendly reports and communications that are audience specific to ensure clarity and drive alignment.

Special Projects/Programs and Initiatives

• Contributes to cross-team projects as needed to meet the changing business environment and manage business needs. Engages in well-defined projects/programs while executing aspects of projects/programs for larger areas, including work on strategic budgeting and financial efforts that require hands-on experience which may be across multiple disciplines.

Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum 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 busines