Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure is growing exponentially, leading to a varied and complex global data center portfolio. Part of the overall cloud strategy is the decommission of legacy data centers that no longer meet our customer’s needs. The Cloud Infrastructure Decommission (CID) team is tasked with the planning and execution of legacy data center decommission projects. For CID to be successful, we must drive a predictable and repeatable operating model and supporting processes to deliver and scale the Microsoft Cloud. This is an opportunity to play a key role within our Cloud Infrastructure Decommission Business.

We are hiring an exceptional individual to assist in growing the DC Closure program and ensuring CID scales appropriately to meet the future demand in this space. The Senior DC Closure PM role encompasses a broad scope, including program envisioning, stakeholder alignment, business model and capability definition, process design, cross-functional program planning, stakeholder engagement, and end to end execution. Success in this role requires the ability to co-envision new strategies for how our infrastructure is decommissioned with an open mind to continuous improvement and adaptation to changing business needs. To get this right on a global scale, we require a strong individual who can drive alignment across multiple Operations, Customer, and Engineering organizations in a fast paced and ever-changing landscape.

Responsibilities

Roles and responsibilities:

• Plan and execute large-scale data center closure projects inclusive of feasibility research, management of parallel and sequential exit plans, and restoration to white space.
• Research and understand all dependencies when exiting a data center. Coordinating with those stakeholders to ensure on-time exit from the closing site
• Balance the customer’s requirements with technical constraints (e.g., application size, network bandwidth, hardware/software/equipment selections) to ensure that the value of the project is realized.
• Collaborate with business partners to identify alternative solutions/options to resolve business challenges; gain buy-in across the business partner stakeholder group on final recommendation
• Identify and develop strategic relationships with new and existing internal Cloud Infrastructure partners and other internal groups to enhance strong networks and open communications
• Provide Engineering teams with capabilities/use cases/scenarios to articulate clear business requirements, aligned to strategic vision with analytical justification
• Drive clarity and alignment across business partners on multi-phased roadmap for solution implementation; ensuring alignment to minimum viable scope at each phase
• Assist in creation of reporting, process documentation and leadership communications leveraging a data driven approach
• Plan, strategize, and influence priorities/decisions to drive transformation of the Azure Cloud Infrastructure Decommission business
• Familiarity with functional operations of server, storage and network functions

Qualifications

Skills and qualifications:

• Proven ability to manage complex enterprise level projects, with or without direct authority, and deliver tangible results – exceptional cross-group collaboration is a requirement
• Proven track record of taking ownership and driving end-to-end results as a solution owner, driving execution across all lifecycle phases of project delivery
• An understanding of how a data center operates, including but not limited to: networking topology and hardware, server hardware, infrastructure, space and power, and asset management.
• Demonstrated ability to be hands-on, in developing business & technical requirements
• Excellent communication, collaboration, influence, and presentation skills; ability to effectively communicate with all levels, to support consensus-building and alignment
• Demonstrated thought-leadership and proven problem-solving ability utilizing a data first mindset
• Ability to manage and drive through ambiguity
• Broad knowledge of process improvement techniques and principles
• Demonstrated ability to work across complex organizational boundaries
• Ability to balance competing demands for resources and adapt to changing priorities

Basic qualifications & Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required, BS in Computer Science (or relevant Engineering Degree) or MBA is a plus
• 5+ years of experience in program management and/or project management, with demonstrated track-record of success
• Experience with data center operations, infrastructure, space and power, networking, and hardware terminology.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency with MS Office Applications - Excel, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Teams

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.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

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