Data Center Program Manager

Overview

As a Microsoft Data Center Project Manager (DCPM), you will perform troubleshooting for service incidents, manage assigned projects to meet service delivery objectives as well escalate to appropriate stakeholders to remove obstacles. You will also follow safety policies and procedures and participate in root cause analysis (RCA) of incidents. This job will allow you to build a solid understanding of data center procedures, engage in collaboration across various teams as well as provide mentorship across data centers.

Microsoft's Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a CO+I DCPM, you will perform a key role in delivering the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsofts online services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform. As a group, CO+I is focused on the personal and professional development for all employees and offers trainings 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.

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

Project & Vendor Management:

• Lead and manage the end-to-end delivery of Metro network infrastructure projects by ensuring work is completed safely, on schedule, within scope, and to quality standards. Oversee contractors, vendors, and service providers responsible for fiber, telecom, and network deployments while driving operational readiness, risk management, and successful infrastructure handoff.
• Coordinate closely with engineering, operations, construction, and field teams to ensure efficient execution across all project phases.

Safety, Integrity, Continuous Improvement & High-Risk Activity Oversight:

• Serve as a safety leader by ensuring all activities are properly assessed, controlled, and executed in compliance with EHS, regulatory, and operational requirements.
• Provide governance and approval for High-Risk Activities, promote hazard identification and risk mitigation, reinforce safe work practices, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

Change Management, Risk Governance & Operational Coordination:

• Act as a key member of the Change Advisory Board (CAB), governing network changes and operational activities across the Metro environment.
• Review and approve technical changes, assess operational and safety risks, establish mitigations, coordinate maintenance activities, and ensure seamless execution of infrastructure deployments while protecting service reliability and operational continuity.

Technical Leadership & Team Development:

• Provide technical guidance, operational coaching, and knowledge sharing.
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, collaboration, and continuous learning while strengthening team capabilities in deployment execution, risk management, quality assurance, testing, commissioning, and operational readiness.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership:

• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to drive alignment, accountability, and execution excellence.
• Serve as a central coordination point between engineering, operations, EHS, construction, CAB, vendors, and service providers to ensure clear communication, effective issue resolution, risk mitigation, and successful delivery of network infrastructure throughout the project lifecycle.
• Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High School Qualification or equivalent AND 2+ years experience supporting IT equipment or related technology or delivering server and network deployment projects in large-scale environments.
• OR equivalent experience.

Background Check 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:

• 4+ years' experience in Critical Environment infrastructures (e.g., UPS, Generator, AHU) or working in physical IT infrastructures (e.g., Servers, SANs, Networking, Capacity, DC Rack/Enclosures, structured cabling).
• Technical College degree in Computer Science, Math, Telecommunications, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Applicable certifications: ASICS/Inventory Control, CompTIA, Microsoft, Network Certifications, PMP, ITIL, CDCP.

Data Center Operations Management IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $84,400 - $168,800 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 $118,800 - $186,600 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

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. 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 with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.