Bradford L. Smith
Also at Microsoft Corp
About
Bradford L. Smith has built a distinguished career at Microsoft beginning in 1993, where he initially served as Deputy General Counsel for Worldwide Sales and managed the European Law and Corporate Affairs Group. His early contributions set the stage for a rapid progression through the ranks, culminating in leadership positions that shaped the company's legal and compliance strategies.
Over the years, his roles expanded to include Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and later Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. In 2002, he was named Chief Compliance Officer, further emphasizing his commitment to robust regulatory and legal frameworks within the organization.
His appointment as President and Chief Legal Officer in 2015 marked a significant milestone, reflecting his deep understanding of Microsoft’s strategic initiatives. In September 2021, he transitioned into his current role as Vice Chair and President, continuing to influence critical areas such as corporate governance, cybersecurity, AI policy, and environmental sustainability.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he contributes to the industry as a board member of Netflix, Inc., demonstrating a broader commitment to leadership and governance in the technology sector.
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Date Range | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | President and Chief Legal Officer | Sept 2015 - Sept 2021 | Held role before appointment as Vice Chair and President |
| Microsoft | Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary | 2011 - 2015 | N/A |
| Microsoft | Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary | 2001 - 2011 | N/A |
| Microsoft | Chief Compliance Officer | 2002 | N/A |
| Microsoft | Deputy General Counsel for Worldwide Sales | Prior to 2001 | N/A |
| Microsoft | Manager of the European Law and Corporate Affairs Group | Prior to 2001 | Based in Paris |
Fixed Compensation
| Component Name | Amount | Payment Schedule | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | $1,000,000 | Annually | Fixed annual base salary |
| Bonus | $0 | N/A | No bonus awarded for FY 2024 |
| All Other Compensation | $112,868 | Annually | Includes Retirement Plan Contributions ($11,500), Broad-Based Plan Benefits ($1,368), and Charitable Gifts ($100,000) |
Performance Compensation
Cash Incentive
| Metric | Value | Details and Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (Financial) | 50% | Based on achievement against pre-established financial targets for Incentive Plan Revenue and Operating Income |
| Weight (Operational) | 50% | Based on performance in three weighted operational categories |
| Threshold | $0 | Minimum performance level |
| Target | $2,500,000 | Target cash incentive opportunity |
| Maximum | $5,000,000 | Maximum cash incentive payout |
| Actual Achievement | 145.71% of target | Financial Results at 138.08% and Operational Results at 153.34% resulting in a payout of $3,642,750 |
| Evaluation Period | FY 2024 | Fiscal year 2024 performance period |
| Vesting Schedule | N/A | Cash incentive is performance-based and does not vest |
Stock Awards
| Component | Grant Date | Grant Date Fair Value | Shares (Target) | Vesting Schedule | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Stock Awards (PSAs) | Sept 18, 2023 | $3,044,423 | 7,882 shares | Vest in full after a 3-year performance period; number of shares earned is based on annual goals and relative TSR | Performance metrics based on annual goals and comparison to the S&P 500 |
| Stock Awards (SAs) | Sept 18, 2023 | $7,628,554 | 23,646 shares | Vest 25% on Aug 31, 2024 and 12.5% every six months thereafter until fully vested | Awarded value converted into shares using the closing price on Aug 31, 2023 |