We are looking for a high-performing Chief of Staff for the Managing Director of Microsoft Research Asia, responsible for our rhythm of business, coordinating internal and external communications, running the internal operations of the organization, and partnering with the Lab Director and their leadership team (LT) to establish and drive alignment on key priorities and initiatives.
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As Chief of Staff, you will be thinking holistically and proactively to improve the effectiveness of the leadership team, the overall organization, its strategy, and its processes. This role requires a highly resourceful person who is smart, strategic, and self-motivated. The successful candidate for this position possesses a strong understanding of research, an ability to lead through influence, has strong analytical skills, demonstrates the discipline to deliver results, and exhibits strong emotional intelligence. The role will directly report to the Lab Director of Microsoft Research Asia.
Founded in 1998, Microsoft Research Asia (MSR Asia, or MSRA) is the largest Microsoft Research lab outside the United States. More than 300 researchers and engineers located in Beijing and Shanghai are working on state-of-the-art technologies every day to solve the most challenging problems in computing and its interdisciplinary areas. As one of world-class research labs, MSRA offers an exhilarating, supportive, open and inclusive environment for top talents to create the future through their disruptive and cutting-edge research (More information about Microsoft Research Lab - Asia - Microsoft Research).
Responsibilities
Strategic planning and execution:
Drive business direction for team to manage the planning process ensuring coordination with corporate planning processes as well as planning integration.
Drive cross-team/site projects as needed to meet the changing business environment and manage complex business needs. Engages in project management or may act as a project/program manager to ensure organization-wide implementation of strategic efforts.
Business management:
Collaborate with stakeholders to oversee the creation and implementation of execution plans. Develop and maintain a ROB, represent Microsoft Research Asia to the broader R&I Operations community on budget, space, and other operational details.
People and Culture priorities:
Build and evolve the role of the organization. Support the leader in responding to team culture issues, as well as leading culture initiatives (e.g., Diversity and Inclusion [D&I], hiring, onboarding) while partnering with Human Resources (HR) to do so.
Employee Engagement:
Manage operations of director’s employee engagement and internal communications in partnership with comms team and HR.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
Strategic Thinking: strong business/strategy acumen, ability to examine and understand the organization's competitive strengths and weaknesses. Formulate strategies that provide distinct competitive advantages; and consider problems and opportunities from a broad, multi-functional perspective.
Executive Relationships: interact confidently with senior leaders of the organization in order to present/defend/clarify concerns or issues regarding an existing project, program, or solution. Ability to confidently address difficult questions and maintain an executive demeanor while engaging in difficult or sometimes high-pressure situations.
Trusted Advisor: build trusted advisor status and deep relationships across stakeholders (e.g., technical decision makers, business decision makers) through an understanding of customer needs and technologies.
Manage Complexity: proven effectiveness driving complex multi-stakeholder planning processes, driving cross-team/sites programs to desired results.
Organization Skills: leverage multiple resources to get things done and lay out tasks in sufficient detail. Capable to work on multiple tasks at once without losing track and foresee and plan around obstacles.
Business Analysis and change management: identify business needs and determine solutions to business problems; solutions may include process improvement, organizational change or strategic planning and policy development. Define and implement procedures and/or technologies to deal with changes in the environment.
Communication skills, including the ability to distill the essence of ideas for senior leaders
Operation Excellence: proactiveness and independence in driving priorities forward
Qualifications
10+ years’ experience in financial management, business planning, operations management, strategy, project management, human resources, or business-related roles AND Bachelor's Degree in relevant field (e.g., Liberal Arts, Business Administration, Management, Computer Science) Master’s Degree preferred.
3 + years people management experience.
Fluent in Chinese and English.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
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