Xbox's first COO Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft after 21 years

What changed

The Verge reported that it reviewed an internal Xbox memo announcing that Helen Chiang, Xbox's first chief operating officer, is leaving Microsoft. Her exit comes only months after the company created the COO role in July, when she moved from leading Minecraft into the position.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced the departure in a brief memo, thanking Chiang for her service. Chiang's immediate responsibilities are being divided among other Xbox leaders for now, and Sharma said more on COO leadership would be shared once plans are finalized.

The role and the background

At the time of the promotion, Sharma described the COO position as a first for Xbox, with end-to-end profit and loss responsibility across content, hardware, platform and services. The role was part of what Sharma called an Xbox reset and was intended to unite the businesses under a single operating model.

Chiang spent 21 years at Microsoft. The Verge reported that Microsoft declined to discuss the circumstances of her exit. The Verge also noted rumors that Xbox is preparing further layoffs this month, in November and in January.

What happens next

The COO position appears to be continuing, though Sharma has not named a successor. As with any executive departure, the practical effect for Xbox's partners and customers depends on how responsibilities settle.