Senior Technical Program Manager, Network Optimization

Microsoft • Washington, DC

2d • $119,800 - $261,000

About The Position

Cloud Ops and Innovation (CO+I) powers Microsoft’s cloud services by designing, building, and operating global datacenters and managing infrastructure demand, capacity, and physical operations. The Cloud Infrastructure Acquisitions Network team acquires Fiber, Edge, Egress, and Peering solutions supporting Microsoft’s online services, in collaboration with network engineering, capacity, and long-range planning teams.

Within the CIA Network Fiber Team, the SPOC team drives operational excellence through business rhythms, actionable analytics, and strategic initiatives. The Senior Technical Program Manager, Network Optimization will optimize Microsoft’s global network fiber investments and installed base by combining financial analysis, data insights, and technical program leadership. The role partners with Network Sourcing, Network Supply Planning, Azure, Finance, and other stakeholders to clarify technical, financial, and commercial trade-offs and turn them into recommendations and actions that improve network economics, investment decisions, and long-term cost.

The position requires someone analytical, curious, collaborative, and comfortable with ambiguity, who can move between strategy and execution and build trust through clear, data-driven recommendations. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional work, improve processes, create transparency in network economics, simplify decision-making, and help deliver cost efficiency and business outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ 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.
• Analytical, communication, and collaboration skills; ability to adapt to changing conditions and priorities.
• Ability to influence others, work cross-functionally, work independently, and drive impact and results.
• Demonstrated track record managing projects and stakeholders, removing overhead, and improving workflows.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of experience in engineering, product or technical program management, data analysis, or product development, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in network optimization, infrastructure finance, program management, operations, strategy, or a related discipline.
• Experience in cloud, hyperscale, telecommunications, or large-scale network environments.
• Experience with commercial structures such as rate cards, price escalators, volume tiers, negotiations, and contract optimization.
• Financial and analytical skills, including the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel for financial or operational analysis.
• Understanding of carrier networks, network constructs, and cost strategies.
• Experience with Power BI, SQL, Python, or similar analytics tools.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, value-stream mapping, or similar continuous-improvement methodologies.
• Ability to influence and build alignment across complex, highly matrixed organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Network Fiber business and financial rhythms, including planning, budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, reporting, and financial governance.
• Lead the global Strategic Sourcing Review (SSR) process and strengthen decision-making, governance, and approval mechanisms.
• Develop total cost of ownership (TCO), unit-cost, and scenario models, including $/Gbps, $/TB, and route-level economics.
• Translate financial and operational insights into clear, executive-ready recommendations for investment decisions and prioritization.
• Define requirements and success criteria for dashboards, reporting, and analytics solutions.
• Simplify and improve processes to reduce duplication, increase transparency, and shorten execution cycle times.
• Lead complex cross-functional initiatives from analysis and decision-making through execution and measurable results.
• Drive alignment and adoption across a highly matrixed organization through communication, documentation, and change management.

What This Job Offers

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