- Updated: March 12, 2026
- 6 min read
Microsoft Executive Rajesh Jha Retires After 35 Years, Leadership Shuffle Announced
Skip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonThe VergeThe Verge logo.Microsoft’s head of experiences and devices is retiring, triggering a shakeupNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMicrosoftCloseMicrosoftPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All MicrosoftMicrosoft’s head of experiences and devices is retiring, triggering a shakeupThe leaders of Windows and Office are now getting promoted and report directly to Satya Nadella.The leaders of Windows and Office are now getting promoted and report directly to Satya Nadella.by Tom WarrenCloseTom WarrenSenior EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Tom WarrenMar 12, 2026, 3:17 PM UTCLinkShareGiftImage: Cath Virginia / The VergeTom WarrenCloseTom WarrenPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Tom Warren is a senior editor and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years.Rajesh Jha, executive vice president of Microsoft’s experiences and devices group, is retiring after more than 35 years at the software giant. Jha was a big part of the team that helped move Microsoft’s Office suite to the cloud, and has recently been overseeing Microsoft 365 Copilot, Windows, Office, and more.“After 35+ years at Microsoft, I am moving into retirement,” says Jha in an internal memo. “I will transition out on July 1st and then stay in an advisory role.” Jha is leaving at the end of June, but Microsoft isn’t promoting anyone as a direct replacement for Jha’s role. Instead, it’s promoting four of his direct reports to executive vice president, reporting directly to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.This includes Windows and Surface chief Pavan Davuluri, Office chief and LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslanksky, head of business and industry Copilot (BIC) Charles Lamanna, and president of Microsoft 365 Core Perry Clarke.“Rajesh has been a constant throughout my entire life at Microsoft,” says Nadella in a memo to employees today. “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 departure is the latest change to the teams managing products like Office and Windows. Microsoft promoted LinkedIn chief Ryan Roslansky to the head of Office last year, and Windows chief Pavan Davuluri was also promoted to president of Windows and devices.Satya Nadella also appointed a new CEO of the company’s commercial businesses last year. Judson Althoff now runs Microsoft’s biggest businesses, allowing Nadella to focus on more technical work.This latest shakeup looks like another flattening of Microsoft’s upper management, allowing the leaders of Windows, Office, and other products to report directly to Nadella.Jha says Microsoft’s priorities “around Secure Future Initiative, Quality Engineering Initiative, and Copilot remain unchanged,” and that the full details on the new organization structure will be communicated between now and the end of June.News of Jha’s retirement comes just weeks after former Xbox chief Phil Spencer announced his own retirement from Microsoft. Spencer is leaving Microsoft after nearly 40 years, and Asha Sharma is the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming.Spencer will remain in an advisory role through the summer to support the transition.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Tom WarrenCloseTom WarrenSenior EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Tom WarrenMicrosoftCloseMicrosoftPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All MicrosoftNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularMicrosoft’s ‘Xbox mode’ is coming to every Windows 11 PCYou can’t replace the battery in Lego’s Smart Bricks — and many of its sensors aren’t active yetI was interviewed by an AI bot for a jobVideoMicrosoft’s next Xbox, Project Helix, won’t reach alpha until 2027How to ditch Ring’s surveillance networkThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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