Principal Corporate Counsel, Procurement & Construction

Microsoft•Washington, DC

5d•$132,200 - $248,600

About The Position

We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated, and experienced commercial attorney to support Microsoft’s global cloud expansion in the role of Principal Corporate Counsel, Procurement & Construction. The legal team supporting the Cloud Operations + Innovation division has an immediate opening for an attorney to support supply chain procurement and construction for our datacenter builds. This is a unique opportunity for an attorney to help Microsoft build hyperscale infrastructure for its rapidly expanding global cloud. Cloud Operations + Innovation is the team behind one of the world’s largest cloud infrastructures, responsible for operating all Microsoft online products and services, including AI tools such as Copilot. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering a trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide. This is a fast-growing division that is investing in datacenter capabilities and innovative projects around the world that can truly make a difference. 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. 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

Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 4+ years experience as a practicing attorney advising on complex commercial transactions, including developing, negotiating, and documenting contracts and counseling on disputes/claims OR equivalent experience.
Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 5+ years experience as a practicing attorney OR equivalent experience.
Experience with complex supply chain processes and infrastructure projects, including product purchase, A/E services, and different construction delivery models (e.g., EPC and design-build).
Keen business sense and the ability to think creatively and strategically.
The ability to deliver impact through superior collaboration as part of a diverse and inclusive team. You should be a flexible and analytical thinker able to quickly and accurately identify legal issues in a complex environment and to develop solutions by exercising confident judgment in ambiguous situations.
Enthusiasm for taking on different job responsibilities over time to adapt to the fast pace of innovation in the datacenter infrastructure industry.
Capability to work efficiently, meet demanding deadlines in a fast-paced environment, prioritize workflow, and adjust to frequent fluctuations in workload and business imperatives.
A passion for working in the technology sector and including a keen interest in applying technology, including AI, to improve legal work and efficiency.

Responsibilities

Providing legal oversight for a high volume of complex procurement, design, and construction related agreements in support of cloud and datacenter infrastructure.
Partnering closely with business teams in negotiations with manufacturers, contractors, designers, consultants, and key suppliers; advising business partners on risk allocation, deal structure, compliance, and other aspects of contracts.
Providing day-to-day legal support for procurement processes and construction projects, including counseling on contract administration, notices, and claim and dispute resolution and avoidance.
Supporting the development and continuous improvement of playbooks, templates, and clause libraries; driving process improvements to improve quality and reduce contract cycle time; collaborating with business teams in the development of new deal structures.
Managing outside counsel and specialized advisors, including commercial advice, contract negotiation, and dispute management.
Collaborating with team members within and across organizational boundaries, including engineering, procurement, finance, compliance and other teams.
Approaching the day-to-day work with curiosity and flexibility.
Developing trusted advisor relationships with business clients and executives by providing practical, risk-based guidance that supports timely project delivery.