New

Director, AI Strategy & Operations Program Manager

Microsoft
$130,900.00 - $251,900.00 / yr
United States, California, Mountain View
May 19, 2026
Overview Microsoft AI's Superintelligence team is building the most capable and safe AI systems in the world. Weoperateas a lean research lab inside Microsoft, developing proprietary frontier models that power products used by billions of people. The Business Strategy & Operations team sits within the Office of the CEO of Microsoft AI. We are a small, flat team of individual contributors - no layers, no management hierarchy. The team is a mix of former investment bankers, top-tier strategy consultants, and technical advisors, and we work directly on the problems that matter most to the organisation's success. Our job is toidentifywhat needs to change and make it happen. We shape the operating cadence for model development, drive compute and resource allocation decisions, produce competitive intelligence, and author the strategic analysis that informs leadership decisions. The work lands real outcomes - wedon'tbuild decks that sit in a drawer. We are hiring aDirectorto join this team. Whatour team does Own competitive and market intelligence across the AI landscape. Track what matters, synthesise it into sharp briefs, and turn analysis into concrete recommendations that leadership acts on Shape and run the operating cadence for model development - organise decision forums, curate pre-reads, pressure-test proposals, and drive follow-through so decisionsdon'tstall Drive compute and resource allocation across strategic priorities. Understand what the organisation needs, where the constraints are, and how to get maximum impact from finite resources Coordinate execution across teams - partner with engineering, research, infrastructure, and product to unblock priorities, escalate risks early, and keep critical initiatives moving Author strategic analysis and recommendation memos. Translate complex technical and market dynamics into clear, evidence-based positions that leadership can act on Build relationships across Microsoft and with external partners,representingthe team's priorities and ensuring alignment on what matters Responsibilities Sharp analytical skills with the ability to get up to speed on unfamiliar topics fast and form well-evidenced views.You'recomfortable being wrong and changing your mind when the data says so Strong written communication. You can produce a crisp two-page memo thatexecutivesreadsend-to-end, not a 50-page deck they skim Comfort with ambiguity. The scope of this role will shift as priorities shift. Youwon'talways have perfect information, clear ownership boundaries, or a playbook to follow High agency. You noticewhat'sbroken, figure out the fix, and drive it without waiting to be asked Genuine curiosity about AI and large-scale model development. Youdon'tneed a PhD, but you do need to care about the technology and be willing to build real understanding of how frontier models are trained and deployed Humility. The teamoperatesin service to the organisation. Strong opinions held loosely, low ego, and a willingness to do whatever the work requires - including the unglamorous parts This role will suit you well if you have Experience in strategy consulting, investment banking, private equity, corporate strategy, or a similar high-intensity analytical environment A track recordof operating at pace in environments where the stakes are real and the decisions matter Experience working near senior leadership and producing materials that hold up under scrutiny The ability to work across technical and non-technical teams, translating between the two fluently This roleprobably isn'tforyouif You'redrawn to this primarily for the brand or the title. We need people who care about the work itself You crave the limelight.This isultimately aservice-oriented role, insupport of the organizationas a whole ratherthanany individual successes Your experience is mostly in large, steady-state organisations where change moves slowly and decisions take quarters. The pace here is different You prefer clearly defined lanes and established processes. This team builds the processes - itdoesn'tinherit them You'relooking for a traditional strategy role where the output is analysis. Here, the output is change Qualifications Master's Degree in Business Administration or related field AND 4+ years of experience in marketing, strategy, business planning, consulting, banking, finance, economics, and/or partner organizations OR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Liberal Arts, Computer Science, or related field AND 6+ years of experience in marketing, strategy, business planning, consulting, banking, finance, economics, and/or partner organizations OR Equivalent experience Preferred Qualifications Master's Degree in Business Administration or related field AND 8+ years of experience in marketing, strategy, business planning, consulting, banking, finance, economics, and/or partner organizations OR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Liberal Arts, Computer Science, or related field AND 12+ years of experience in marketing, strategy, business planning, consulting, banking, finance, economics, and/or partner organizations OR Equivalent experience 5+ years of experience in investment banking or a consultancy firm (e.g., Associate, Analyst, Consultant, or equivalent), or as a Program Manager 3+ years of experience in strategy, management consulting, and/or finance Business Strategy IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $130,900 - $251,900 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $165,600 - $272,300 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.