Senior Program Manager - Cloud Planning

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

3d • $119,800 - $261,000

About The Position

Microsoft Cloud Planning (MCP), part of the Cloud Supply Chain organization, is the central planning function responsible for forecasting, demand planning, and supply planning for Microsoft Cloud services and associated hardware. This role leads strategic cloud capacity buffer planning, aligning stakeholders and leadership on strategy, priorities, and decisions. The Senior Program Manager develops planning processes and models, oversees monthly planning cycles, and uses scenario simulations and data analytics to optimize capacity buffer targets. The role also identifies systemic risks and opportunities, drives mitigation plans, and provides decision support and recommendations to leadership. The position requires cross-functional partnership across planning, capacity management, engineering, finance, and data science. Candidates must be able to meet Microsoft security screening requirements, including passing a Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 4 or more years of experience in engineering, product or technical program management, data analysis, or product development, or equivalent experience.
• At least 2 years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in decision science modeling and quantitative analysis using tools such as Python or R.
• Expertise in analytics and data visualization using SQL, Python, R, or Power BI, and ability to translate complex analyses into actionable insights.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional programs in ambiguous environments.
• Experience assessing financial implications of investments and planning choices, with a focus on CapEx impacts.
• Strong communication skills to engage and influence stakeholders.
• Ability to create clarity and drive progress in fast-changing, highly ambiguous situations.
• Proven track record of building trusted cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Drive cloud capacity buffer planning at a strategic level, aligning stakeholders and leadership on buffer strategy, priorities, and decisions.
• Lead monthly planning cycles to generate and optimize cloud capacity buffer targets using scenario simulations and data analytics.
• Develop and transform the long-term roadmap for cloud buffer planning processes and models, ensuring resilience to future business needs.
• Identify and communicate systemic risks and opportunities associated with capacity and buffers, creating strategic mitigation plans.
• Build cross-functional partnerships with leaders across planning, capacity management, engineering, finance, and data science.
• Guide improvement of cloud capacity buffer models and analytics, focusing on scalability, transparency, and alignment to business strategy.
• Define and track metrics for buffer effectiveness and ensure insights lead to clear actions and accountability.
• Provide thought leadership and decision support for cloud capacity buffer strategies, driving impactful recommendations for leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior