Finance Manager, M12 Investments

Join the Central Services Finance (CSF) team as Finance Manager, M12 Investments, supporting Microsoft’s venture investment activities and related business operations. You will partner closely with M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund) investors, Finance, Legal, HR (Human Resources), and cross-functional business leaders to deliver data-driven recommendations, maintain financial discipline, and support informed decision-making across both the investment portfolio and broader business operations.

This role combines portfolio finance responsibilities - including investment analysis, valuation support, portfolio monitoring, and liquidity event evaluation - with core finance functions such as planning, forecasting, budgeting, resource management, and business performance reporting. You will leverage data, financial analysis, and AI (artificial intelligence)-enabled tools to improve business processes, enhance reporting capabilities, and generate actionable analysis that influences investment, financial, and operational decisions. This role demands a results‑driven mindset, passion for operational excellence, and the ability to serve as a trusted advisor. 

We’re looking for a candidate who thrives at the intersection of analytical depth and strategic influence, who brings solid problem‑solving skills, sharp business judgment, and the ability to operate in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment. You are energized by diving into complex data, synthesizing insights into clear narratives, and influencing leaders with balanced, well‑reasoned recommendations. As an effective communicator and storyteller, you will translate financial and portfolio data into meaningful business guidance, build solid cross-functional partnerships, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. Collaboration is core to success: you work effectively across teams, build partnerships, and demonstrate a One Microsoft mindset. If you are a proactive, curious, and team‑oriented problem solver who cares about both the “what” and the “how,” this role will fit well. 

At Microsoft, our mission—to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—guides how we partner with customers to deliver trusted, impactful solutions. With a growth mindset culture, we innovate responsibly and measure success by shared progress—people, teams, and customers. Join us to do meaningful work that changes the world and helps shape what’s next for everyone.

• Valuation & Liquidity Support: Support portfolio valuation and liquidity activities by maintaining valuation models, assessing financing, M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions), and IPO (Initial Public Offering) events, evaluating secondary transaction opportunities, and preparing analyses that support fair value conclusions, transaction assessments, and financial reporting. 
• Portfolio Monitoring & Risk Management: Drive portfolio monitoring and risk management by assessing financial, operational, and liquidity developments across portfolio companies, identifying emerging risks and performance trends, supporting impairment, audit, and governance activities, maintaining forecast and reporting tools, and leveraging AI-driven capabilities to enhance insight generation and decision-making. 
• Budget & Variance Analysis: Determine operating expenses compared to expected budget and projections; identify variances to provide insights to management and inform future projections and resource allocation.
• Financial Performance Analysis: Contribute to analysis of present and future financial performance of our businesses. Assist team members with research on financial plans, expected returns, resource allocation, investment opportunities, and operational metrics 
• Forecasting & Planning: Assist in execution of annual business planning and forecasting processes. Gather insights and contribute to preliminary and adjusted forecast cycles.
• Financial Close Support: Provide support during financial close periods, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Reporting & Modeling: Prepare recurring financial reports, forecasts, and presentations by leveraging data mining, business intelligence, and financial modeling to synthesize complex information into executive-ready analyses, dashboards, and portfolio insights that support Quarterly Portfolio Reviews, investment decision-making, and continuous improvements in data quality, reporting consistency, and financial effectiveness. 
• Advanced Analytics: Leverage statistical analyses, predictive analytics, and financial modeling techniques to conduct sophisticated analyses.
• Business Partnership: Support decision-makin