Microsoft acquired popular professional social networking platform LinkedIn in December, but it didn't just net its whole network; it also trawled top-tier talent onto its shore.
Microsoft announced Tuesday that Kevin Scott, LinkedIn's highest ranking engineering executive, will now assume the company's Chief Technology Officer position. Scott is poised to join Microsoft's senior leadership team, reporting directly to Satya Nadella, the company's chief executive.
Kevin Scott Named As New Microsoft CTO
As for LinkedIn's corporate structure, Scott will still continue holding the company's Senior VP of infrastructure position, and he will still be part of the company's executive team.
Now Microsoft's CTO, Scott's job description includes taking charge of "strategic, cross-company initiatives to maximize Microsoft's impact with members and customers," according to Microsoft.
"We are thrilled that Kevin will bring to Microsoft his unique expertise developing platforms and services that empower people and organizations," Nadella said.
Before LinkedIn, Scott worked for Google, and Google-owned AdMob, assuming a number of leadership roles in the engineering field of those companies. Scott is also an adviser to several Silicon Valley startups.
Merger Transition
Microsoft's decision to hire Scott is likely part of the company's broader pattern of giving high-profile LinkedIn employees roles as LinkedIn transitions into Microsoft's turf. Jeff Weiner, LinkedIn's CEO, has also joined Microsoft's leadership team, while also leading the merger integration efforts, as instructed by Nadella. Weiner enters weekly meetups with the transition team, which consists of executives from both companies, Forbes reports.
To give Weiner ample leeway as he serves as the leader for the merger integration efforts, his title as head of product will be siphoned off to Ryan Roslansky, the company's global head of consumer product. He will now assume the role as the global head of all LinkedIn products this time around, including the platform's other services such as Recruiter and Sales Navigator.
Roslansky will continue overseeing LinkedIn's website, alongside Lynda.com.
Mohak Shroff Is The New Engineering Lead For LinkedIn Products
To occupy Scott's vacated post, LinkedIn is promoting Mohak Shroff to head the engineering for LinkedIn products. Shroff became part of LinkedIn nine years ago. Roslansky and Shroff are both joining LinkedIn's executive team.
Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn was made official late last year. The company still hasn't announced forthcoming products as a result of the integration of LinkedIn's platform and Microsoft's productivity suite, but such integrations are expected to be announced this year.
Microsoft's Integration Plans For LinkedIn
Around the time the deal closed, Nadella himself outlined his vision of Microsoft and LinkedIn's integration plans. This includes plans to absorb LinkedIn's identity and networks to Microsoft's products such as Outlook and Office Suite. This way, people can draft resumes directly on Word to update their LinkedIn profiles, alongside being able to navigate, discover, and apply to jobs posted within the LinkedIn platform. This is one example of many plans Nadella has in store to expand LinkedIn's services.
As for the various corporate reshuffles, it's not unheard of for companies to shake-up employee structure in the face of an acquisition, and subsequently, a transition. All told, Scott occupying Microsoft's CTO post will only benefit both companies.
Nadella said earlier last year that Microsoft's top priority is to "accelerate LinkedIn's growth, by adding value for every LinkedIn member." Microsoft's new hire, Scott, knows fully well how to navigate around LinkedIn's platform, network, and services, an insight which will help Nadella's intent to let LinkedIn grow.
