Director, Power Transmission System & Strategy

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

5d

About The Position

Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) team is responsible for the full lifecycle of Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, spanning site selection, development, and operations. Our global footprint includes more than 400 datacenters in 34 countries, supported by over 165,000 miles of fiber optic cable. These facilities form the backbone of Microsoft Azure and are central to our commitment to reliable, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure.
As part of the CO+I Energy Team, you will join a team of professionals responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and delivering strategic energy projects. The candidate will manage a portfolio of activities to identify and execute energy opportunities to advance Microsoft’s datacenter growth, in line with strategies to leverage sustainability, time to market and economic value in order to solidify Microsoft’s leadership in providing infrastructure for the global AI economy.
As Director, Power Transmission System & Strategy you will build and lead relationships with electric utilities, regulatory bodies, energy technology OEMs, and other external stakeholders to influence and negotiate complex grid code requirements for data centers, such as, but not limited to, fault ride through, power oscillation damping, power ramps, power quality, and reactive power requirements.
In addition, the Director, Power Transmission System & Strategy will collaborate with cross-functional internal teams in Policy, Governmental Affairs, Engineering, Delivery and Sustainability, to influence strategic decision-making in the context of new grid code requirements. This necessitates that the candidate brings an innovative, proactive, and collaborative presence to the role while also driving strategic stakeholder management externally.
The Director, Power Transmission System & Strategy will need in-depth expertise of grid code requirements and the related regulatory dynamics, and experience in the electric utility/ISO/RTO and digital infrastructure spaces is highly preferred. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a proven track record in collaborating with all relevant stakeholders in developing grid code requirements and leading related compliance processes. The Director, Power Transmission System & Strategy will act as Microsoft’s expert and sounding board for relevant regulatory bodies in the Americas and will represent Microsoft in external working groups dealing with grid code development.
In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field AND 6+ years experience in grid code development and/or grid code compliance and/or working for a system operator
• OR Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field AND 8+ years experience in grid code development and/or grid code compliance and/or working for a system operator OR equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role.
• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field AND 5+ years experience in working with ISOs, RTOs regulatory bodies or customers on grid codes OR Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field AND 8+ years experience in working with ISOs, RTOs regulatory bodies or customers on grid codes OR Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field AND 12+ years experience in working with ISOs, RTOs regulatory bodies or customers on grid codes OR equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in the digital infrastructure space.
• 3+ years of people management experience.
• Experience with power system modeling tools (e.g., DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD, ETAP)
• Well established relationships with ISOs, RTOs, and regulatory bodies.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiating grid codes with relevant authorities and understanding key drivers in power system operation that necessitate new requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to translate external power system developments into strategic workstreams.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, accessible language for diverse, non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and lead through ambiguity, delivering results on time even when parameters are not clearly defined.
• Demonstrated growth mindset with problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop trusted relationships with key external stakeholders, e.g. electric utilities, ISOs, RTOs, NERC, data center associations, energy technology OEMs, third-party engineering diligence firms, to influence the development of new grid codes.
• Represent the Energy Team as the executive owner of the grid code development process to achieve alignment with key internal stakeholders across Engineering, Delivery, Legal and Sustainability, to develop Microsoft’s position on various regulatory proposals.
• Represent Microsoft in external strategic initiatives on grid codes organized for example by NERC, European Commission, CIGRE, etc.
• Lead a global team of power transmission experts, tasked with influencing and forming of grid code requirements for data centers.
• Develop strategic internal workstreams based on external power system developments.
• Lead external knowledge sharing focusing on the technical opportunities and limitations of data centers in the context of grid code requirements.
• Business travel will likely be required, ~25%, subject to fluctuation with business requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees