Google SVP of Knowledge leaving as management restructures

Google's management structure is undergoing more movement, as Senior Vice President of Knowledge Alan Eustace is retiring. According to sources, Eustace is not leaving for another job, but is just plain giving up the day-to-day grind for retirement. His departure marks another major figurehead leaving he company, or otherwise moving to make room for Google's new management structure. Larry Page has quickly moved Sundar Pichai up the ranks, with a majority of Google's core service chiefs reporting to him rather than CEO Larry Page.

The news isn't yet official, but sources tell TechCrunch it was announced in an internal memo. It's not clear who will be taking over for Eustace.

If Eustace's name is familiar, it's likely because he recently broke the record for highest altitude free-fall jump. It was on that day when Google announced their major restructuring, which put a lot of their operation under Pichai.

Eustace was a SVP of Knowledge, which used to include Search.

The departure marks several high profile stars leaving Google lately. Ahead of the restructuring, Google SVP Vic Gundotra departed suddenly, leaving Google's social layer to wither on the vine. Since Pichai was handed the reigns, Android founder Andy Rubin has left Google, along with Google X co-founder Sebastian Thrun. Dropcam co-founder Greg Duffy also left recently, with a 'culture clash' with Nest cited by many as the reason.

The timing for Eustace leaving is interesting, too. Google's recent earnings report missed the mark for Wall Street expectations, and they're seeing a decline in Search share and surging competition in the advertising space.

Source: TechCrunch