Baylay replaces Tim Davie, who was promoted to director of audio and music last year.
In her executive board-level role, Baylay will oversee 400 members of staff and be responsible for marketing, communications, audience research and services across the Corporation. Davie was paid £413,000 plus £17,000 in bonuses last year.
At Microsoft, which she left last month, Baylay was responsible for the growth of Windows Live and MSN.
After Baylay joined Microsoft in 1993, she worked in a variety of marketing and management roles, including the running of its international MSN businesses in EMEA, Asia-Pacific, China and the Americas, before taking up her most recent position.
Under Baylay's leadership, MSN was a founding member of the UK government-led co-operative effort to address the growing problem of so-called 'cyberbullying'.
Microsoft is a member of the Home Office Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet. Baylay was responsible for ensuring good practice recommendations were reviewed and, in most cases, adopted by the business. She also oversaw MSN's involvement with online watchdog the Internet Watch Foundation.
Baylay started out at Olivetti and Computacenter and has also worked for the IBM, Apple and Compaq brands.
Sharon Baylay
General manager, online services division, Microsoft UK (2005-09)
Regional general manager, MSN ROW, Microsoft (2003-05)
Regional director, MSN EMEA, Microsoft (2001-03)
Marketing director, MSN EMEA (1999-2001)
Interactive TV marketing manager, Europe, Microsoft (1998-99)
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