Microsoft’s Experiences and Devices Chief Announces Retirement, Sparking Organizational Changes

Rajesh Jha, who has served as executive vice president of Microsoft’s experiences and devices group for over 35 years, is set to retire. Jha played a crucial role in transitioning Microsoft’s Office suite to the cloud and has recently been overseeing Microsoft 365 Copilot, Windows, Office, and more.

In an internal memo, Jha announced, “After 35+ years at Microsoft, I am moving into retirement. I will transition out on July 1st and then stay in an advisory role.” While he will officially leave at the end of June, Microsoft has opted not to appoint a direct successor. Instead, four of Jha’s direct reports will be elevated to executive vice president, reporting directly to CEO Satya Nadella. This group includes Pavan Davuluri, head of Windows and Surface; Ryan Roslansky, who leads Office and LinkedIn; Charles Lamanna, head of business and industry Copilot; and Perry Clarke, president of Microsoft 365 Core.

Nadella expressed his appreciation for Jha, stating, “Rajesh has been a constant throughout my entire life at Microsoft. When I think about the pantheon of leaders who have truly shaped this company, Rajesh stands firmly among them. He embodies the commitment that helped build and transform Microsoft into the company it is today, and it is on the strength of that foundation that we will continue to move forward.”

Jha’s retirement marks another shift in the management of key products like Office and Windows. Last year, LinkedIn chief Ryan Roslansky was promoted to lead Office, and Pavan Davuluri became president of Windows and devices. Additionally, a new CEO for Microsoft’s commercial businesses was appointed, with Judson Althoff now overseeing the company’s largest operations, allowing Nadella to concentrate on more technical aspects.

This restructuring appears to streamline Microsoft’s upper management, enabling leaders of Windows, Office, and other products to report directly to Nadella. Jha reassured that Microsoft’s focus on initiatives like the Secure Future Initiative, Quality Engineering Initiative, and Copilot will remain unchanged, with further details on the new organizational structure to be shared before the end of June.

Jha’s retirement news follows closely on the heels of former Xbox chief Phil Spencer’s announcement of his own retirement after nearly 40 years with the company. Asha Sharma has been named the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming, while Spencer will continue in an advisory capacity throughout the summer to facilitate the transition.