Microsoft’s Chief Information Officer Jim DuBois has left his post, the company confirmed Friday.

Jim DuBois. (Microsoft Photo)

DuBois was on sabbatical and decided to leave Microsoft as part of the reorganization of its global sales staff, which also includes thousands of job cuts. DuBois was named CIO in 2013, and he had been with Microsoft since 1993, where he worked in a variety of roles, mostly focused on information technology.

Kurt DelBene is stepping up to fill the void of DuBois’ departure under his new title of chief digital officer. DelBene currently focuses on corporate strategy, and his new role will also see him working closely with core engineering teams across the company as well as IT. DelBene will also oversee the company’s digital transformation efforts.

The Puget Sound Business Journal first reported on DuBois’ departure.

Kurt DelBene. (Microsoft Photo)

DelBene, who is married to U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, worked at Microsoft for 21 years, rising to the title of president of the company’s Office division, before leaving in 2013. He left after being appointed by President Obama to oversee the implementation and improvement of the Affordable Care Act website, Healthcare.gov. He also spent time as a venture partner at Madrona Venture Group before returning to Microsoft in 2015 as executive vice president of corporate strategy and planning.

Microsoft confirmed the layoffs Thursday, saying the majority of jobs expected to be eliminated are outside the U.S. Microsoft didn’t give specifics numbers, but CNBC reported the layoffs represent approximately 10 percent of Microsoft’s total salesforce.

Widespread rumors of layoffs in the thousands started percolating last week. That was followed by an internal memo to employees Monday detailing a shift in Microsoft’s consumer and commercial businesses and how it sells cloud services.

These changes point to a goal of focusing more intently on Microsoft’s growing cloud computing business. Microsoft’s commercial cloud run rate hit $15.2 billion during the March quarter, up from $14 billion in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, revenue in the company’s intelligent cloud group grew by 93 percent to $6.8 billion in the quarter.

Microsoft’s fiscal year ended on June 30, and big changes and layoff announcements have traditionally come around this time, tied to the company’s move into a new fiscal year, which started on July 1.

Last July, Microsoft cut 2,850 people from its smartphone and sales teams. Around the same time, COO Kevin Turner left the company after more than a decade at the Redmond technology giant.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.