New 
Principal Research Manager
 Microsoft | |
 United States, Washington, Redmond | |
 Sep 28, 2025 | |
|
OverviewMicrosoft Copilot Studio is at the forefront of AI-powered business transformation that empowers users to build, customize, and deploy AI agents across enterprise environments. It enables the creation of conversational and autonomous agents that can perform tasks, answer questions, and automate workflows using natural language and generative AI. The Copilot Studio research and design team is a multidisciplinary group of researchers, designers, and content strategists who work closely with product, engineering, and business partners to deliver world-class conversational AI and agent experiences. The team is known for its collaborative culture, commitment to human-centered design, and passion for solving complex enterprise challenges at scale.As a Principal Research Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Microsoft Copilot Studio. You will lead research strategy and execution, drive innovation in AI UX, and ensure that our products deliver measurable impact for users and the business. Success in this role requires a strong bias for action-translating insights into decisions quickly, proactively removing blockers, and accelerating progress toward ambitious goals. You will also be responsible for building and managing a high-performing research team, fostering a culture of inclusion, growth, and excellence where urgency and ownership are core values.About the Role:You will:Set Vision and Strategy: Define and communicate a compelling vision for research that aligns with Copilot Studio's mission and Microsoft's broader goals. Translate strategy into actionable plans for your team.Lead by Example: Model Microsoft's values and leadership principles, demonstrating integrity, empathy, and a growth mindset in all interactions.Develop Talent: Attract, hire, and retain top research talent. Provide regular feedback, coaching, and career development opportunities. Invest in the growth of each team member.Drive Accountability and Results: Set clear goals and expectations, hold the team accountable for high performance, and celebrate achievements.Navigate Ambiguity and Change: Lead the team through complex, ambiguous, and rapidly evolving situations. Create clarity, generate energy, and deliver results even in uncertain environments.Champion Collaboration: Facilitate effective cross-disciplinary collaboration with design, engineering, and product partners, also working across the broader Microsoft product ecosystem to drive collective goals.Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
ResponsibilitiesResearch Leadership: Define and drive short- and long-term research strategies that inform product direction, identify new opportunities, and deliver value to customers at speed. Champion research perspectives and advocate for the role of research in shaping product outcomes.People Management & Leadership: Build, lead, and inspire a diverse team of researchers. Foster an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work. Provide regular feedback, coaching, and career development. Model empathy, humility, and management excellence. Set clear goals and expectations and hold the team accountable for results. Address performance issues promptly and constructively.Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Partner with design, engineering, and product teams to embed research-driven insights into product development. Facilitate collaboration across disciplines and geographies.AI UX Innovation: Lead high-priority AI UX research programs, developing frameworks and methodologies for evaluating AI systems, including LLM output, usability, fairness, and sociotechnical impact.Community & Culture: Amplify research learnings within Copilot Studio, across Microsoft, and externally through presentations, publications, and workshops. Foster a culture of inclusion, curiosity, and continuous learning.Embody ourcultureandvalues | |