Xbox COO Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft after three months

Twenty-one years at Microsoft, and only three months in the job she was brought in to create. Helen Chiang, Xbox’s first ever Chief Operating Officer, is leaving the company.

The news comes from an internal memo sent by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, which has since been reported on. Sharma thanked Chiang for her years of service and wished her well. Her duties are being split between other leaders for now, with more on the COO role promised once plans are finalised. So, no replacement yet, and no clear answer on whether the role even continues in its current form.

Xbox itself isn’t saying much. A spokesperson told that the company doesn’t discuss individual personnel matters, but also wished Chiang well. Standard stuff, and it tells us nothing about why a brand new role ended this fast. I’d love to know what changed in three months, but nobody is offering a reason.

Another shake-up in a messy year for Xbox

This is far from the only leadership shake-up. Phil Spencer has retired, Sharma has taken over as CEO, and the division has been through a major reset since. That has meant layoffs, studio upheaval and a different approach to console exclusives. The company still says it expects to return to profitability in fiscal year 2027, with next-gen hardware, codenamed Project Helix, on the way.

Creating a COO role and losing the person in it within a quarter is a strange look. Xbox has plenty of explaining left to do.