Senior Technical Program Manager, Network Optimization

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

23h

About The Position

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

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 helps optimize Microsoft’s global network fiber investments and installed base. The role combines financial analysis, data insights, and technical program leadership to improve network economics, strengthen investment decisions, and optimize long-term costs. It partners with Network Sourcing, Network Supply Planning, Azure, Finance, and other stakeholders to turn complex technical, financial, and commercial trade-offs into clear recommendations and actions.

The successful candidate will be analytical, curious, collaborative, and comfortable with ambiguity, able to move between strategy and execution while building trust through clear, data-driven recommendations. The position requires cross-functional influence, independent execution, project and stakeholder management, and the ability to improve workflows and deliver measurable results.

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 passing the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
• Analytical, communication, and collaboration skills, including the ability to work independently, adapt to changing conditions and priorities, and influence others across teams.
• Track record of managing projects and stakeholders, removing overhead, and improving workflows.

Nice To Haves

• 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 translating 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 supporting 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