Varun Bhalla
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in AI-driven business transformation and cloud strategy, specialising in Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics. Proven track record in customer success leadership, strategic account growth, and ROI realisation. Adept at enterprise program and portfolio management with a focus on agile methodologies. Demonstrates cross-functional leadership and global team enablement while excelling in executive stakeholder management and business-technology alignment. Committed to diversity, inclusion, mentorship, and change management.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Principal Customer Success Account Manager
Microsoft
12.2024 - 11.2025
- Led AI-driven customer success engagements, driving measurable value and digital transformation for customers with MACC value of 500M.
- Aligned Microsoft cloud solutions with business goals to achieve ROI and renewal growth.
- Built strategic partnerships with C-level leaders for comprehensive modernisation through Microsoft platforms.
- Accelerated revenue growth through upsell and cross-sell opportunities, boosting customer lifetime value.
- Orchestrated global teams across functions for seamless adoption and issue resolution.
- Leveraged AI insights for actionable recommendations, enhancing product use and efficiency.
- Advocated internally for customer needs, influencing product strategy and service roadmaps.
Principal Project Manager
Microsoft
09.2023 - 11.2024
- Executed AI-driven strategic roadmaps, enabling customers to adopt a three-horizon growth model.
- Led global teams of 80, delivering AI implementations that enhanced efficiency and decision-making.
- Designed intelligence-driven frameworks using OKRs and KPIs, driving measurable success for clients.
- Integrated AI, automation, and cloud technologies into transformation programmes, yielding significant business value.
- Collaborated with Engineering, Customer Success, and Sales to foster large-scale innovation.
- Championed Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, empowering emerging leaders and promoting collaboration.
Senior Project Manager II
Microsoft
09.2020 - 08.2023
- Delivered AI-integrated cloud transformation programmes for Microsoft’s strategic enterprise customers.
- Enabled organisations to accelerate cloud adoption and modernise data for cost optimisation.
- Coached multiple Agile teams, embedding continuous planning and delivery practices.
- Led diversity and inclusion programmes, establishing a mentorship framework that boosted engagement.
Senior Project Manager
Microsoft
09.2018 - 08.2020
- Managed multi-disciplinary teams of 80+ professionals delivering digital transformation and ML initiatives.
- Instituted Architecture Review Boards and Design Authority Reviews (DAR) for technology governance.
- Achieved record delivery quality while maintaining customer and partner satisfaction above 95%.
- Winner – FY19 Global Hackathon for AI-based business solution.
Project Manager
Microsoft
01.2017 - 08.2018
- Delivered multi-million-dollar modernization projects integrating Azure, Xamarin, and BizTalk solutions.
- Recognized with Microsoft Gold Club Award (FY18) for excellence in customer delivery.
Consultant
Microsoft
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Designed award-winning automation frameworks adopted across delivery teams.
- Received multiple leadership and innovation awards, including Director’s Special Award (2015) and Peak Performer Award (2016).
Quality Assurance Analyst
American Express
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Conducted detailed risk assessments to mitigate potential problems in project execution.
- Facilitated training workshops for staff on latest QA techniques and methodologies.
- Led cross-functional teams to improve overall operational efficiency of QA department.
- Optimised software testing methods for enhanced system functionality and performance using Service Virtualization.
Sr. Engineer & Test Lead
UnitedHealth Group
01.2009 - 01.2013
Setup & Configuration Analyst
Hewitt Associates
01.2007 - 01.2009
Education
Executive MBA -
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
01.2024 - 07.2025
Bachelor of Technology - Information Technology
Kurukshetra University
IndiaSkills
- AI-Driven Business Transformation Cloud Strategy (Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics)
- Customer Success Leadership Strategic Account Growth ROI Realization
- Enterprise Program & Portfolio Management Scaled Agile (SAFe)
- Cross-Functional Leadership Global Team Enablement
- Executive Stakeholder Management Business-Technology Alignment
- Diversity, Inclusion & Mentorship Change Management
Certification
- Leading SAFe (Scaled Agile)
- Project Management Professional - PMI
- ICAgile Certified Coach (ICP-ACC, ICP-ATF)
- Certified Scrum Product Owner & Scrum Master – Scrum Alliance
- Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | Microsoft Infrastructure Solutions (70-533)
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Awards & Recognition
Microsoft Gold Club Award (FY18) | AI Hackathon Winner (FY19), Best Intellectual Property Award (FY17) | Peak Performer Award (FY16)
Timeline
Principal Customer Success Account Manager
Microsoft
12.2024 - 11.2025
Executive MBA -
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
01.2024 - 07.2025
Principal Project Manager
Microsoft
09.2023 - 11.2024
Senior Project Manager II
Microsoft
09.2020 - 08.2023
Senior Project Manager
Microsoft
09.2018 - 08.2020
Project Manager
Microsoft
01.2017 - 08.2018
Consultant
Microsoft
01.2015 - 01.2016
Quality Assurance Analyst
American Express
01.2013 - 01.2014
Sr. Engineer & Test Lead
UnitedHealth Group
01.2009 - 01.2013
Setup & Configuration Analyst
Hewitt Associates
01.2007 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Technology - Information Technology
Kurukshetra University