Director, Compliance

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

About The Position

Microsoft Research (MSR) is seeking a Director, Compliance to lead the Microsoft Research Compliance and Research Ethics functions through a redesign of tooling and processes. The person in this position works directly with world-class researchers and engineers to embed compliance into the research lifecycle, navigating an unusually dynamic period of regulatory and policy change. They will own the end-to-end compliance program and tooling for Microsoft Research that includes the workflows and platform used to route, manage, and resolve compliance reviews across multiple disciplines, such as privacy, security, responsible AI, data governance, global readiness, research ethics. A central focus of the role is shaping the AI-native compliance strategy designed to reduce researcher toil and increase durable, scalable governance. This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Research and presents regularly to senior Research leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree AND 6+ years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.
1+ year(s) project or people management experience.
3+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a product or program owner for a compliance tool or internal platform.
Effective executive communication skills — translating complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable narratives for senior leadership and non-compliance audiences.
Proven ability to drive change in ambiguous environments and build durable programs, not one-time fixes.
A track record of applying AI or automation to reduce compliance burden in practice — not just in theory.
10+ years of experience in compliance, privacy, risk, or regulatory program management, with demonstrated progression to senior leadership.
5+ years leading and developing a team of program managers or compliance professionals.
Deep familiarity with at least two of: privacy (GDPR / DPIAs), security compliance (SSPA, SAW, or equivalent frameworks), responsible AI governance, or federal regulatory programs.
Experience managing compliance programs in a research, engineering, or technology organization serving a highly technical, innovation-driven population.
Experience with AI / ML governance, research ethics, or Responsible AI frameworks (ORAI, NIST AI RMF, or equivalent).
Relevant certifications: CIPP, CISM, CISSP, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end compliance program for Microsoft Research
Own the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of compliance processes, including review workflows, governance frameworks, and supporting platforms.
Define and execute an AI-enabled compliance tooling strategy
Drive the development of scalable, automated systems that streamline compliance workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve decision quality using AI and data insights.
Partner across research, engineering, and policy teams
Collaborate with stakeholders across privacy, security, legal, and Responsible AI to ensure compliance requirements are integrated into the research lifecycle.
Translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable programs
Enable researchers and leaders to understand and apply compliance expectations through clear guidance, tooling, and operational processes.
Lead cross-functional program design and prioritization
Identify high-impact opportunities, define program goals, and align roadmaps with organizational strategy, regulatory changes, and research needs.
Drive experimentation and continuous improvement
Guide teams to test hypotheses, use data and AI insights to identify root causes, and iterate on compliance solutions to improve effectiveness and scalability.
Ensure governance aligns with global regulatory and ethical standards
Oversee adherence to privacy, security, research ethics, and Responsible AI requirements, proactively identifying risks and implementing mitigations.
Engage senior leadership and represent compliance strategy
Provide regular updates to Microsoft Research leadership, using data-driven insights to inform decisions, influence priorities, and drive alignment.