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Xbox’s first chief operating officer is out after just a few months
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Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft today after a few months as Xbox's first chief operating officer. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced the departure in a short internal memo seen by The Verge. Chiang spent 21 years at Microsoft and led Minecraft before her July promotion.
The COO role was created in July as a first for Xbox. It carried end-to-end profit-and-loss responsibility across content, hardware, platform, and services. Sharma said the position would unify Xbox businesses under one operating model. Chiang reported directly to Sharma.
Sharma's memo was notably brief. She said Chiang was leaving that day and expressed gratitude for her service. Chiang's immediate responsibilities are being split among other Xbox leaders for now. Sharma said more on COO leadership would be shared as plans are finalized.
The promotion aimed to bring Xbox's businesses under one operating model. It was meant to clarify investment decisions and improve accountability. Chiang's swift exit raises questions about the stability of that new structure. The COO position itself appears to remain, based on Sharma's note.
The exit comes amid rumors of more Xbox layoffs this month, November, and January. The short memo and reassignment of duties suggest it was not a resignation. The company has not confirmed the circumstances. Chiang's short tenure adds uncertainty inside the division.
Microsoft declined to discuss the circumstances of Chiang's exit. Xbox communications vice president Kari Perez said the company does not discuss personnel matters. Perez said Microsoft is grateful for her service and wishes her well. The refusal to elaborate leaves key questions unanswered.
Sharma said more details on COO leadership will be shared as plans are finalized. No replacement has been named. Her exit leaves the new model without its first leader amid restructuring rumors. How Xbox fills the role will signal its reset's direction.
