Sr. HR Manager- Data Center Operations (Onsite - Fayetteville, GA)

Overview

Help build the future of cloud technology by investing in the people who make it possible.

At Microsoft, Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the technology that powers experiences for billions of people around the world. From AI innovation to the services businesses rely on every day, our global cloud infrastructure spans more than 100 datacenters and over one million servers across 90+ countries. Together, were building the foundation that helps organizations innovate, grow, and achieve more.

As demand for Microsofts cloud continues to accelerate, were investing in the next generation of datacenter infrastructure while advancing our commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, and innovation. This creates exciting opportunities for talented professionals who want to make a meaningful impact at the heart of one of Microsofts fastest-growing businesses.

Were looking for an experienced Sr. HR Manager- Data Center Operations (Onsite - Fayetteville, GA) to support one of our growing datacenter campuses in the Greater Atlanta, Georgia area. This role supports a mission-critical operation that runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a workforce of more than 250 employees and continued growth ahead.

As the dedicated HR Manager for the Atlanta datacenter campus, youll partner closely with leaders, managers, and employees to help create an exceptional workplace experience. Youll play a key role in shaping culture, strengthening employee engagement, supporting organizational effectiveness, and helping teams thrive in a highly technical and evolving environment.

This is more than a traditional HR role. Its an opportunity to influence business outcomes, guide leaders through growth and change, support positive labor-management relationships, and contribute to the success of the people who power Microsofts cloud every day. Youll collaborate across Microsofts broader HR ecosystem while serving as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to leaders and employees alike.

Were looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, navigating complexity, and partnering with others to solve meaningful challenges. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic HR professional with labor relations experience, sound judgment, and a passion for helping people and organizations succeed. Youll be comfortable working independently, influencing across teams, and adapting to the evolving needs of a growing business.

If youre energized by the opportunity to make a visible impact, passionate about creating great employee experiences, and excited to support the workforce behind one of the worlds largest cloud platforms, wed love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

Employee Experience & Engagement

• Through in-person engagement, observation, and relationship-building across the Atlanta datacenter campus, develop a deep understanding of employee and manager experiences, workforce trends, organizational culture, and potential areas of risk. Leverage these insights to provide strategic guidance to datacenter leadership and the broader HR team.
• Partner with Atlanta datacenter leadership to develop and execute people strategies and programs that foster an inclusive, positive, and engaging work environment.
• Serve as a trusted and neutral resource for employees and managers, helping connect them with the right HR resources and support while leveraging Microsofts HR operating model.
• Act as an employee advocate by understanding and elevating the lived experiences of employees, managers, and leaders.
• Provide timely guidance and support on employee and manager questions in alignment with Microsoft policies and practices.
• Maintain a visible on-site presence, including occasional evenings and weekends, to connect with employees and managers working across multiple shifts.
• Partner across Microsofts HR ecosystem to ensure a seamless and high-quality employee experience throughout the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, offboarding, compliance reporting, and workforce processes.

HR Community Leadership

• Champion change management initiatives across the Atlanta datacenter region, helping employees and leaders navigate change through clear communication, partnership, and people-focused execution.
• Participate regularly in datacenter leadership and business meetings, providing strategic HR perspectives on organizational priorities, challenges, and opportunities.
• Partner with Atlanta datacenter leadership and HR Business Partners to strengthen manager and team capabilities through coaching, development, and ongoing support.
• Gather, analyze, and leverage workforce insights, employee feedback, and organizational trends to identify opportunities, mitigate risk, and inform business decisions.
• Support initiatives that strengthen leadership effectiveness, team health, inclusion, and organizational performance.

Projects, Programs & Initiatives

• Design and implement manager capability-building initiatives tailored to the unique needs of datacenter operations, including varying functions, roles, and shift schedules.
• Identify and implement people-focused initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, manager effectiveness, team culture, and organizational health across the Atlanta datacenter region.
• Partner with CO+I HR Business Partners on strategic HR programs, workforce initiatives, and organizational priorities.
• Collaborate closely with Global Talent Acquisition and hiring teams to support workforce planning, talent attraction, hiring, and onboarding efforts.
• Build and maintain relationships with local Atlanta-area professional organizations, schools, community partners, and workforce development programs to strengthen community engagement and talent pipelines.

Crisis Management & Business Continuity

• Partner with site leadership to develop and execute crisis management and business continuity strategies, including emergency response, communications, disaster recovery, and workforce support.
• Ensure employees have access to appropriate well-being resources, including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and other support services, during and following critical incidents.

Operational Compliance & Labor Relations

• Maintain current knowledge of labor laws, employment regulations, industry trends, and compliance requirements that may impact HR policies, programs, and practices.
• Partner with leaders to ensure compliance with labor laws, regulatory requirements, and Microsoft policies while providing guidance on employment-related matters.
• Lead labor relations activities for the Atlanta datacenter region, partnering with leaders and employee representation groups to support compliance, resolve workforce concerns, and foster productive labor-management relationships.
• Evaluate workforce trends and organizational needs to recommend enhancements to HR policies, programs, and practices in partnership with HR stakeholders.
• Support the implementation, localization, and continuous improvement of HR programs and initiatives while ensuring alignment with business and legal requirements.

Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Human Resources (HR), Legal, Business, Psychology, or related field AND 7+ years experience with HR or related experience (e.g., hiring, training, performance management) involving applicable employment laws and policies OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years experience in large-scale (500+ employees), frontline or operational environments OR equivalent experience

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Human Resources (HR), Legal, Business, Psychology, or related field.

• Human Resources Professional Certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM).

• Experience working in a production, mission-critical 24/7 environment (such as manufacturing, warehouse, retail, military, physical operations in an IT and/or critical environment infrastructure)

• Experience managing the union grievance process including working with union representatives, grievance handling, and arbitration preparation

• General knowledge of employment and labor laws in the US

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with employees at all levels and adapt people strategies to evolving external factors and workforce trends

• Experience with facilitating and supporting change management initiatives

• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially

• Organizational and time-management skills

HR Generalist IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $106,400 - $203,600 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 $137,600 - $222,600 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.