Sr Director, AI Strategy & Operations - Microsoft : Job Details

At Microsoft AI, we are on a mission to train the world's most capable AI frontier models, pushing the boundaries of scale, performance, and product deployment. We're tackling some of the most challenging problems in deep learning at scale. As a team, we will deliver one of the best foundation models in the world, forming the foundation of many initiatives across Microsoft AI.

We're seeking a strategic and experienced Sr. Director for AI Data Strategy & Operations to manage the business strategy for post-training data collection and data operations across acquired training data. This role will oversee vendor selection, contract management, negotiation, and data operations (eg, onboarding, organization, quality assessment), ensuring that all post-training datasets are acquired, validated, and delivered with measurable impact. The ideal candidate will provide strategic oversight and coordination across cross-functional teams, driving operational excellence and enabling scalable data programs.

This role is based in New York City, New York or Mountain View, CA; you must be local to these areas and in the office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Lead business strategy for post-training data collection, including vendor selection, contract negotiation, and management.
• Oversee data operations for AI training data, including setting Microsoft's validation workflows, delivery tracking, and impact measurement, ensuring alignment with research goals.
• Develop a system for procurement processes, including tracking of POs, vendor spend, amortization schedules, and milestone delivery.
• Maintain and govern a centralized data catalog for validated datasets, metadata, and storage locations to support compliance and discoverability.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives across Business Development, Procurement, Legal, Compliance, Finance, and Engineering.
• Advance the AI frontier responsibly and embody Microsoft's culture and values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 10 years experience in strategy or finance, data operations, program/technical program management, procurement, or finance integration
• OR equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in leading strategic initiatives and managing AI data vendor relationships.
• Expertise in overseeing data operations for AI research organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to build and oversee budget/impact tracking systems and cross-functional programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 12 years experience in technical data operations, procurement program management, or finance systems integration
• OR equivalent experience.
• Experience leading large-scale data-validation programs and curating enterprise data catalogs.

Business Strategy IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $155,800 - $277,200 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 $202,400 - $303,600 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until August 15, 2025.