Chief of Staff, Minecraft
Job Description
At Mojang Studios, the creators of Minecraft, we are on a mission to build a better world through the power of play. Why play? Well, play is at the heart of everything we do. It’s the blocky backbone of our games, the core of our development philosophy, and even the origin of our name. From the relentless experimentation of our endlessly inspiring community to the classrooms where Minecraft has become an essential teaching tool, play is the bedrock of our existence. We enable millions to create and play together, connect people across the globe, and foster a community that is among the most active and passionate in the world. Our community is global and incredibly diverse. When we are developing anything within our franchise, we keep this in mind. We want everyone to not only feel included in Minecraft, but also to see themselves in what we make. Our goal is for the Mojang Studios team to be as diverse as our community. Mojang Studios, the creator of Minecraft, is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief of Staff to partner with the Head of Studio in driving our next phase of growth and excellence. In this role, you will function as a key advisor and operational leader for the studio, translating vision into execution. You will steer critical initiatives across franchise growth, studio health, leadership development, and operational excellence, ensuring that the studio’s priorities are met efficiently and effectively. Additionally, you will oversee internal communications and people programs, directly managing the Communications Director and the People Experience team to foster an inclusive, high-performing culture. We are looking for a Chief of Staff with experience driving strategic planning, business execution, and organizational improvements in partnership with senior executives. Skilled at translating broad goals into actionable plans and leading teams to deliver results. Adept at managing complex projects and competing priorities in fast-paced environments, with a strong record of mentoring and fostering accountability. Exceptional communicator with expertise in crafting executive-level narratives and presentations, influencing stakeholders across all levels, and building trust in global, cross-cultural settings. The Chief of Staff is a results-driven, proactive operator who can balance big-picture strategy with hands-on execution. You thrive in a creative, fast-paced environment, excel at building relationships and driving alignment, and bring a thoughtful, grounded approach to navigating complex and sensitive situations with care, discretion, and clarity. You have a passion for empowering teams to achieve their best in service of a global franchise. 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. In the end, it’s the people of Mojang Studios that make this place truly special. When you join, you’ll find yourself in the company of incredibly bright, warm, and creative individuals – all united and working toward a single goal. Come help us reach it!
Locations
- Redmond, Washington, United States, Redmond, Washington, United States
Salary
Salary not disclosed
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 8+ years experience in program management, process management, or process improvement OR equivalent experience. (degree)
- OR equivalent experience. (degree)
- 6+ years management (e.g., people, project, process, vendor, change) experience. (degree)
- Experience in roles such as a Chief of Staff, Business Manager, or comparable strategic partner to executive leadership. (degree)
- 10+ years of experience in roles such as a Chief of Staff, Business Manager, or comparable strategic partner to executive leadership in the gaming, entertainment, or technology industry. (degree)
- Familiarity in game studio operations or enthusiasm for the Minecraft franchise. (degree)
- Degree of initiative, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. (degree)
- Problem-solver who can handle ambiguity and guide teams through change while maintaining a positive, can-do attitude. (degree)
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in roles such as a Chief of Staff, Business Manager, or comparable strategic partner to executive leadership in the gaming, entertainment, or technology industry. (degree)
- Familiarity in game studio operations or enthusiasm for the Minecraft franchise. (degree)
- Degree of initiative, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. (degree)
- Problem-solver who can handle ambiguity and guide teams through change while maintaining a positive, can-do attitude. (degree)
Responsibilities
- Partner with the Studio Head, COO (Chief Operating Officer) and Leadership team to shape studio strategy and long-range planning with a focus on people, culture, and organizational health. Support annual planning and rhythm of culture to ensure alignment with franchise priorities while fostering an environment that values creativity, inclusivity, and staff well-being.
- Orchestrate leadership team meetings, staff forums, and offsites to strengthen communication, alignment, and connection across the studio. Help evolve policies, processes, and cultural practices that promote clarity, consistency, and an engaging workplace where teams can do their best work.
- Oversee internal communications strategy and execution for Mojang Studios. Manage the Communications Director to ensure timely, transparent messaging throughout the organization (e.g. All Hands meetings, announcements, strategy updates). Serve as a liaison between the studio and key external stakeholders in the Xbox Game Studios organization – facilitating alignment, reporting on studio progress, and representing the Studio Head in cross-team initiatives as needed.
- Champion a healthy, inclusive studio culture and strong organizational health. Lead the People Experience team to drive employee engagement, morale, and diversity & inclusion initiatives. Develop and implement programs that invest in our people and leadership development – such as mentorship programs, manager training, and talent review processes – to grow our team’s capabilities and support career growth. Ensure that Mojang remains an outstanding place to work, where team members are empowered and connected to the studio’s mission.
- Drive high-priority cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives that fall outside the day-to-day product development pipeline. Tackle ambiguous or mission-critical challenges (e.g. organizational changes, new business opportunities, process overhauls) by scoping the issue, coordinating cross-team efforts, and seeing projects through to successful completion. Provide hands-on program management to ensure objectives are met on time and outcomes are delivered, adjusting course as necessary to achieve results.
Travel Requirements
3 days / week in-office
