Ahead Of Stephen Elop’s Return, Microsoft’s Julie Larson-Green Picks Up New Internal Role

Microsoft Executive Vice President Julie Larson-Green announced today in an internal memo that she is changing roles at the company (memo below).

Leaving her role leading Microsoft’s hardware efforts, Larson-Green will now lead the My Life & Work group inside of the Applications and Services Group, which is in turn run by Qi Lu. She will also pick up the title of CXO for the division as well.

Formerly part of the duo that oversaw Windows — along with Tami Reller — Larson-Green landed atop Microsoft’s nascent Devices and Studios group in the post-reorg landscape. When the Nokia deal was announced, her role become somewhat murky, given that Stephen Elop was to take the reins from her if the deal went through.

She would have reported to former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, though she retained — at least in the interim — her executive vice president title. In Microsoft, that’s one step below the CEO. Her new role will see her one rung down from her prior job running hardware, but since she would have reported to Elop when he made the hop, the role change isn’t a demotion.

Until the Nokia deal closes and Elop joins Microsoft — again — Larson-Green will continue to head hardware at the company.

Memo:

From: Julie Larson-Green
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2014
Subject: FW: ASG Organizational Announcement

Team,

As you will read in the notes below from Qi and Satya, I’ve accepted a new challenge, leading the My Life & Work team in ASG and serving as the Chief Experience Officer (CXO). As hard as it is for me to leave Devices & Studios, I’m thrilled about this opportunity. In working with company leaders this year to establish our One Microsoft vision and plan, I thought about ways I could have impact on helping Microsoft prepare for the future and innovate. My discussions with Satya and Qi made clear this is a critical space to drive new thinking and an essential way to help the shape the company’s direction. I’m looking forward to developing the Digital Life & Digital Work Experience Substrate that powers modern digital experiences regardless of device, as well as working across ASG to strengthen customer experiences.

I want to thank each and every one of you for welcoming me and supporting me as the leader of Devices & Studios over the past 7 months. I’m very proud of what we have accomplished during such a short timeframe. We launched Xbox One, Surface 2 & Pro 2, blockbuster games like Forza and Ryse, a brand new Xbox Music and Video service, PPI, and some amazing unannounced innovations just to name a few – incredibly impressive!

Our opportunity to grow as a world-class devices and experiences company is greater than ever, and I have every belief that as One Microsoft we’re on the right path. The addition of Nokia Devices & Services into the DnS family will add tremendous scale, talent and opportunity for our future.

I’ll remain in role leading the DnS organization in the interim until the Nokia deal closes and Stephen Elop makes his transition to Microsoft. We’ve been meeting regularly throughout and are making a lot of progress, ensuring our teams are ready for the Day 1 close and beyond.

You are all in great hands with Stephen and already we’ve shared a lot with him and his LT from Nokia regarding all of the fantastic people, teams and products in DnS. I also know many of you are looking forward to welcoming the Nokia team and working more closely with them.

As I look to the future, I’m reminded of a favorite Chinese proverb: “To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.”

I encourage you all to stay focused on the journey and opportunities ahead, and know that I’ll be there in step with you as we launch the next chapter of Microsoft.

Thank you,

Julie