Chip maker Intel's management is set for a major overhaul as the company's president Renée James announces that she is stepping down.

On Thursday, July 2, Intel's CEO Brian Krzanich revealed in a message to employees that James would be ending her 28-year-old tenure with the company to pursue "an external CEO role." James, however, would be leaving in January 2016 and help in the transition of the role.

"Over the past 28 years, Renée has contributed immeasurably to Intel, and on behalf of the Board and management team we sincerely thank her for her tireless efforts toward building the business that we have today," said [pdf] Krzanich in the message to employees.

51-year-old James has a long history at Intel and was appointed as the company's president in 2013. The same year Krzanich was named Intel's CEO. James also served as an assistant to ex-CEO Andy Grove and has been instrumental in leading Intel's software operations, as well as major acquisitions.

In a memo to employees she divulged that the decision to step down from her role as President of the company was a very difficult one.

"When Brian and I were appointed to our current roles, I knew then that being the leader of a company was something that I desired as part of my own leadership journey," said [pdf] James in the memo. "Now is the right time for me to take that next step."

James is not the only one in the top management who is exiting Intel for other opportunities. Joining her is veteran Arvind Sodhani, who is the President of Intel Capital, and has been with the chip maker for 34 years. Sodhani's role will be assumed by Wendell Brooks, Intel's President of M&A who will take over in January as well.

Despite Intel's top management getting a shake-up, Krzanich remains optimistic and says that the organizational shifts will help streamline the company's operations better.

"We are aligning our leadership structure to continue to become more efficient in order to deliver the benefits of our strategy even faster than before," said Krzanich in a statement.

Photo: Intel Free Press | Flickr