Principal Business Operations Lead

Overview

The Identity & Network Access (IDNA) organization within Microsoft Security is at the forefront of securing digital identities and enabling trusted access in an increasingly connected world. IDNA powers the technologies that help protect human and non-human identities, govern access to critical resources, and deliver secure experiences across cloud, AI, hybrid, and enterprise environments. Through Microsoft Entra and related security solutions, the organization helps customers build resilient identity foundations and implement Zero Trust security at global scale.

As AI transforms how people and organizations work, IDNA is helping drive Microsoft's broader Secure AI strategy. The team is shaping how enterprises discover, govern, secure, and manage AI agents, applications, machine identities, and access controls, helping customers confidently adopt AI while maintaining security, compliance, and operational resilience.

We are seeking a Principal Business Operations Lead to join the IDNA Executive Office. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role serves as a strategic and operational partner to the leadership team and plays a critical role in defining, evolving, and executing the organization's operating model. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence across planning, business management, governance, investments, resource management, communications, and organizational execution, helping leaders translate strategy into measurable outcomes.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence one of Microsoft's most strategic security businesses at a time of significant growth and industry transformation. You will work closely with senior leaders across engineering, product, finance, strategy, and operations to accelerate business priorities, enable scalable execution, and support the delivery of industry-leading identity, access, and AI security solutions.

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Every day, we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture where diverse perspectives are welcomed, everyone can thrive, and each person can make meaningful impact at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

Business Operations & Executive Governance

* Own the operating cadence for the organization, including leadership reviews, business reviews, planning forums, portfolio governance, and executive decision-making processes.

* Drive clarity, accountability, and execution across strategic priorities, risks, and cross-functional dependencies.

* Partner closely with leaders to translate strategy into measurable outcomes and operational plans.

Financial, Resource & Investment Management

* Lead annual planning, budget management, forecasting, affordability discussions, investment planning, and resource allocation processes.

* Drive headcount planning, hiring governance, vendor management, and operational resource optimization.

* Partner with Finance and HR to ensure organizational investments align with business priorities and growth objectives.

Secure AI & Strategic Initiatives

* Support leadership execution for Microsoft's Secure AI strategy, helping coordinate priorities across product, engineering, GTM, customer engagement, and business operations teams.

* Drive planning and operational rigor behind emerging Secure AI initiatives, ensuring alignment with Microsoft Security's long-term strategy.

* Help develop scalable operating mechanisms that support the growth of agent security, AI governance, and next-generation identity platforms.

Organizational Planning & Health

* Partner with HR and leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, talent investments, hiring strategies, and change management.

* Support leader onboarding, organizational transitions, and initiatives that improve organizational health and effectiveness.

Strengthen AI Transformation

* Partner with product and engineering leaders to incorporate AI-enabled ways of working into organizational planning, execution, governance, and operational processes.

* Help define and scale operating mechanisms required to support the development, governance, and adoption of emerging AI technologies.

Operational Excellence & Modernization

* Simplify and modernize business processes through automation and AI-enabled workflows.

* Reduce operational friction and improve decision velocity through better insights, reporting, and governance mechanisms.

* Build scalable systems that enable a high-performing leadership team and organization.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

* Bachelor's Degree in relevant field (e.g., Liberal Arts, Business Administration, Management, Computer Science) AND 6+ years experience in financial management, business planning, operations management, strategy, project management, human resources, or business-related roles

* OR equivalent…