Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO+I) powers the global infrastructure behind Microsoft's cloud platforms. Within CO+I, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) is responsible for delivering hyperscale datacenter programs that enable continued growth of Microsoft's cloud services worldwide.
The EPC portfolio spans complex, large-scale, multi-year infrastructure programs across multiple regions, incorporating diverse disciplines across engineering, construction, sourcing, and project controls. This work requires cross-functional collaboration to drive alignment, manage risk, and execute with precision at scale.
We are seeking a highly experienced Lead Planning & Scheduling Program Manager who will be responsible for establishing, developing, and governing Plan of Record (PoR) schedules that support the successful delivery of Microsoft's global data centre portfolio. Acting as the SME for planning strategy and schedule development, this role leads the creation of realistic, defendable, and data-driven schedules from early design concept through Design PoR approval and deployment.
The successful candidate will champion industry-leading scheduling practices, ensuring schedules are developed using sound Critical Path Methodology (CPM), bottom-up planning principles, schedule quality standards, and risk-informed decision-making.
This role requires an experienced planning lead capable of translating complex project requirements into integrated schedules, validating durations and sequencing through stakeholder engagement, resource management, and continuously improving schedule reliability through scenario modelling, schedule analytics, acceleration exercises, and governance frameworks. The individual will serve as a trusted advisor to Project Controls and EPC leaders, influencing planning strategies that improve predictability, schedule confidence, and delivery outcomes across the portfolio.
Culture & Team Fit
Collaborative team player working closely with Regional Planning Leads
Proactive, self-driven, and able to operate in a fast-paced global environment
Passionate about continuous improvement, standardization, and delivering high-quality outcomes
It is our preference that this role is located in Redmond, WA, but the following hubs may be considered: Atlanta, GA, San Antonio, TX, Washington, DC, or Phoenix, AZ.
Relocation support will be provided, and successful candidates must relocate or reside within 50 miles of the hub office location.
This role is eligible for hybrid or remote work, up to 40%.
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.
Responsibilities
Planning & Program Management
Support global planning initiatives to improve schedule quality, governance, predictability and consistency across EPC Project Controls programs
Drive standardization of planning and scheduling practices including baseline governance, and change management processes
Partner with Central Project Controls Estimating, Cost, Risk, regional planning leadership, and cross-functional partners to align global strategy with regional execution needs
Provide program progress updates to the Central Project Controls and EPC Leadership Team
Schedule & Planning Expertise
SME in Primavera P6 EPPM and integrated master schedule (IMS) best practices
Ability to support development of Plan of Record and Integrated Master Schedules, including validation of durations using labor and material quantity estimates
Drive bottom-up planning methodologies to ensure realistic and defendable project schedules
Support schedule integration, benchmarking, and performance analysis across the portfolio
Data, Reporting & Analytics
Support development of enhanced reporting solutions working closely with the Reporting and Analytics Team
Translate complex schedule and performance data into clear insights for leadership
Support KPI frameworks for schedule health, performance tracking, and governance
Change Management & Governance
Lead change management efforts for the planning initiative
Develop, document, and maintain program processes, procedures, and guidance documentation
Drive adoption of new ways of working across a global, cross-functional organization…. develop and deliver the training content
Support continuous learning and uplift of planning maturity across EPC
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Present strategic insights, recommendations, and program updates to Director-level stakeholders
Build relationships with Directors, Project Controls teams, and cross-functional partners
Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on planning strategy and performance
Embody our Culture and Values
Qualifications
Required/minimum qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree AND 6+ years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development
- OR equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
Background Check Requirements:
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:
- Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
- Bachelor's Degree AND 12+ years experience engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development
- OR equivalent experience.
- 8+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
- 1+ year(s) of experience reading and/or writing code (e.g., sample documentation, product demos).
- Advanced expertise in Primavera P6 EPPM (planning, scheduling, and governance)
- Hyperscale Data Centre Planning and Scheduling experience
#COICareers and #EPCCareers
Technical Program Management IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree AND 6+ years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
- Subject Matter Expert in Primavera P6 EPPM (planning, scheduling, and governance).
- Experience developing Plan of Record and Integrated Master Schedules, including validating durations using labor and material quantity estimates.
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements (Microsoft Cloud background check).
- Must relocate or reside within 50 miles of the hub office location (relocation support provided).
- Hyperscale datacenter planning and scheduling experience.
- 1+ year of experience reading and/or writing code (e.g., sample documentation, product demos).
- Advanced expertise in Primavera P6 EPPM.
Microsoft Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Microsoft and has not been reviewed or approved by Microsoft.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is presented as broadly competitive overall, with clear role/level/location variation and an emphasis on using posted ranges and band information for apples-to-apples comparisons.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as a standout, highlighted by a strong 401(k) match structure and immediate vesting, plus additional plan features for tax-advantaged saving.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-oriented benefits are portrayed as a meaningful strength, with substantial paid parental leave and added supports like back-up care and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
Microsoft Insights
What We Do
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our mission is grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create. Today, we live in a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and the transformation we are driving across our businesses is designed to enable Microsoft and our customers to thrive in this world.
