Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a Director of Field Operations Construction, you will perform a key role in delivering the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's online services, including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform. CO+I focuses on the personal and professional development of all employees, offering training and growth opportunities, including Career Rotation Programs, Diversity & Inclusion trainings and events, and professional certifications.

Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 200 Data Centers in 32 countries and millions of servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our data center design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

The Director of Field Operations Construction is a pivotal role within our team, responsible for overseeing project delivery at operational datacenter sites. You will manage construction and retrofit programs, ensuring they are executed safely, on time, within budget, with a high level of quality, and with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.

You will collaborate with the Datacenter Engineering (DCE) team and specialty consultants to refine designs and align team objectives with our project strategy. Your role will involve effective customer relationship management, cost efficiency, and project delivery excellence. Advocating for safety and security, you will ensure the protection of personnel, assets, and services within live operational environments. You will work closely with various internal groups, including Microsoft Data Center Operations, Security, IT, Legal, and Business Risk Management, to maintain our corporate vision and goals.

Additionally, you will coordinate and review contractor/vendor performance, manage budget summaries, and present reports to the executive chain. You will oversee project controls, expenditure requests, and partner engagement, supported by Data Center Operations (DCOPs), Real Estate Services, Data Center Services, and Corporate Communications teams.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees, we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day, we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

• Empower a culture of safety, security, availability and compliance in all aspects of datacenter operations.

• Model, coach, and care for the team, ensuring alignment with Microsoft culture , values , and leadership principles.

• Attract, retain, and develop great talent, investing in the growth and capabilities of each individual.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Champion and drive cultural transformation within your area of accountability, acting as a coach, mentor, or program leader.

• Foster a collaborative environment that promotes continuous learning and improvement.

• Contribute to global and regional improvement programs, leveraging best practices and lessons learned to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Business Processes:

• Create and maintain best practices to identify and incorporate cost-effective solutions for construction and retrofit projects in live operational data centers.

• Manage General Contractors (GCs) and vendor performance along with their integration with internal partners to ensure project delivery on time and on budget, while minimizing impact on ongoing operations.

• Facilitate decision-making to drive solutions, schedules, and manage change as required, with a focus on maintaining the availability and security of live environments.

• Apply influence, strategies, and negotiation skills to identify options and recommend solutions that prioritize safety, security, and operational continuity.

Communication:

• Effectively communicate key needs to the engineering, design, operations, and sourcing teams.

• Regularly review cost and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) metrics, invoices, and process/policy communications with client partners.

• Provide the project with a single point of contact for development, quality control, delivery, and operational coordination.

• Coordinate meetings and activities of vendors, cost managers, and integration of lessons learned, ensuring alignment with operational requirements.

• Attend scheduled owner/architect/contractor (OAC) and other project meetings, and report as necessary.

• Report project progress on safety, scope, schedule, budget, and impact on operations weekly or as required.

• Provide weekly project status reporting to CO+I standards.

Accountability:

• Support senior leadership on emergent issues and business-critical events affecting operational data centers.

• Constribute to a safe, secure, and effective site culture within live operational environments.

• Develop, manage, and report on safety, security, scope, schedule, budget, and operational impact.

• Ensure fiscal responsibility for the approved project budget.

• Work independently and collaboratively in support of CO+I projects within operational data centers.

Vendor Management and Contract Compliance:

• Provide vendor oversight and performance management by regularly visiting construction sites within live data centers.

• Prepare Request for Proposals (RFPs) and other project approval tools and templates, ensuring alignment with operational needs.

• Review and approve vendor scope of work, and design review of site and building plans, with consideration for operational constraints.

• Validate vendor pay applications and invoice review and approval.

• Manage compliance with prior audit results and recommendations, ensuring adherence to safety, security, and operational policies.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent AND 10+ years of progressive responsibility in development and management of datacenter construction and retrofit projects within live, operational environments or other large, complex mission critical infrastructure programs.

• 5+ years experience leading, directly managing, and influencing a diverse organization of full-time employees across multiple disciplines and platforms.

Other Requirements:

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Project Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field.

• 12+ years experience executing construction and retrofit projects in live production data centers, with a focus on safety, security, and availability OR other large, complex mission critical infrastructure programs.

• Ability to build teams, manage large budgets, work effectively across teams, effectively manage schedules, equipment coordination, delivery, and turnover processes in operational data centers.

• Constuction health & safety knowledge.

• Ability to independently manage deadlines and support staff.

• Knowledge of security practices and policies related to data center operations.

• Ability to influence cross-discipline teams.

• Understanding of operational requirements and constraints in live production environments.

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.

Data Center Operations Management M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,800 - $267,600 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $180,800 - $294,000 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until October 16, 2024

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .