Critical Environment Program Manager-Business Operations

Microsoft • Milwaukee, WI

16h

About The Position

Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) operates the infrastructure that powers Microsoft’s cloud services. The Critical Environment Program Manager – Business Operations supports the delivery of core infrastructure and foundational technologies for online services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and Microsoft Azure. The role focuses on financial controllership and commercial management for datacenter operations, partnering closely with field operations and subject matter experts to improve business outcomes and operational processes.

The position contributes to datacenter financial accuracy, forecasting, and compliance; manages site-contract financial and commercial matters; prepares spend-management reviews; tracks maintenance and repair activities; and identifies and implements cost-saving opportunities. It also supports the evolution of operational processes, services, and solutions, while fostering alignment among stakeholders and datacenter teams.

Success requires structured planning and project execution, effective communication with stakeholders and senior leaders, customer and partner focus, realistic goal setting, adaptability, and the ability to contribute strategically while supporting team decisions. The role requires passing Microsoft’s Cloud Background Check at hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least 1 year of industry experience, or at least 2 years of industry experience and college coursework.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including passing the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
• Structured planning and project execution skills, including the ability to work through others, influence without authority, and deal with ambiguity.
• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to gather and apply stakeholder feedback and align resources to stakeholder and partner needs.
• Ability to set realistic timelines, evaluate plans against business objectives, communicate trade-offs, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to contribute strategically as a team member and support team decisions.

Nice To Haves

• At least 2 years of experience in critical-environment infrastructure (such as UPS, generators, or AHUs) or physical IT infrastructure (such as servers, SANs, networking, capacity, data-center racks/enclosures, or structured cabling).
• Technical college degree in computer science, math, telecommunications, electrical or mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• Applicable certifications such as ASICS/Inventory Control, CompTIA, Microsoft, network certifications, PMP, ITIL, or CDCP.
• At least 2 years of experience managing critical-environment maintenance and repair costs.
• At least 2 years of industry program and project management experience.
• At least 2 years of experience with collaboration platforms such as SharePoint or Microsoft Teams.
• At least 2 years of experience with reporting and data-analysis systems and platforms such as Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial-controllership subject matter expertise for datacenter financial accuracy, forecasting, and compliance.
• Manage financial and commercial aspects of site contracts, including purchase order and invoice reviews.
• Prepare quarterly datacenter-site spend-management review materials.
• Assist with tracking datacenter maintenance and repair activities.
• Evaluate cost-saving opportunities and implement strategic projects to realize savings.
• Use local subject matter experts’ knowledge and promote adoption of best practices.
• Identify opportunities to increase agility and contribute to workstreams that evolve CO+I Operations processes, services, solutions, and service-level agreements.
• Coordinate with datacenter field operations to foster alignment and partnerships for business success.
• Plan and execute work through others, influence without authority, and address ambiguity.
• Communicate program objectives effectively and concisely to stakeholders, senior managers, and leaders.
• Gather stakeholder feedback and incorporate it into decisions; align resources to optimize stakeholder and partner experience.
• Develop and communicate realistic timelines that consider obstacles and short- and long-term consequences.
• Review plans against datacenter business objectives, adjust as needed, and communicate trade-offs.
• Anticipate changes affecting programs and projects, and adapt plans, goals, actions, or priorities accordingly.
• Contribute strategically to the team and support strategic decisions after discussion.

Benefits

• Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation; additional benefits and pay information is available through Microsoft’s careers website.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED