Business Analyst (contract)

Microsoft is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Business Analyst to support a globally distributed marketing operations organization. The role drives the Rhythm of Business, enables senior leadership effectiveness, coordinates operational planning, and manages budgets, contracts, processes, and executive communications across a complex matrixed environment.

Responsibilities:

• Own and maintain the master Rhythm of Business calendar, forum inventory, and Standard Meeting Charters to ensure leadership alignment and operational continuity
• Maintain the Leadership Team Staff Meeting agenda, ensuring every agenda item is clearly tagged as a Decision, Risk, Help, or FYI item
• Own Pre-Operating Excellence narrative alignment embedded into the final week of the Leadership Team Staff Meeting cycle
• Prepare and coordinate Quarterly Budget Reviews in partnership with the Budget Owner
• Review and approve contracts, cost proposals, and contract supplements in support of operational priorities
• Approve project and work breakdown structures, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and timelines
• Review and approve documentation of business processes to maintain accuracy and compliance
• Approve project budgets and expenditures, monitor transaction controls, and track costs against approved budgets
• Predict potential budget overruns and proactively offer actionable solutions
• Consult with project managers, auditors, and cross-functional stakeholders regarding proposals and operational planning
• Prepare sub-agreements and review sub-consultant invoices to ensure contractual compliance
• Support ad hoc projects, quarterly business reviews, transformation initiatives, and status reporting as needed
• Coordinate leadership meetings, agendas, and action items to support the team's operational cadence

Requirements:

• Consulting experience or demonstrated ability to develop and deliver leadership-ready presentations and executive communications
• Previous experience with enterprise applications and Microsoft productivity tools required
• Bachelor's degree in business management, economics, finance, accounting, or a relevant field required
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to craft executive-level memos, narratives, decision briefs, agenda frameworks, and leadership-ready summaries
• Strong ability to build polished communication artifacts including PowerPoint presentations and professional email communications
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools including Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Planner, and SharePoint
• Strong ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment with minimal oversight
• Deep knowledge of business and management principles including strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational methods
• Ability to apply accounting and mathematical principles to budget tracking and financial analysis
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify business trends and project future revenues and expenses
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in large, matrixed, and globally distributed organizations
• Flexibility to adjust working hours as needed to support global team members across multiple time zones
• Strong interpersonal skills with a customer-service orientation and high attention to detail
• 6 or more years of experience preferred in business operations, business management, program management, or strategy operations roles
• Prior experience supporting a large, globally dispersed organization in a Business Manager, Chief of Staff, or closely related capacity strongly preferred