Senior Technical Program Manager, Network Optimization

Cloud Ops and Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers Microsoft’s cloud services. The team is responsible for designing, building, and operating our unified global datacenters; managing the demand planning and capacity utilization of our unified infrastructure; and for operating the physical infrastructure (including supply chain, hardware, power, security, and workflow teams). We focus on smart growth with an emphasis on automation, data driven engineering, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. We deliver the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft’s over 200 online businesses including Azure, Bing, MSN, Office 365, Xbox Live, Skype, and OneDrive. Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our portfolio is built and managed by a team of subject matter experts working 24x7x365 to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide.

The Cloud Infrastructure Acquisitions Network team is responsible for the acquisition of Fiber, Edge, Egress and Peering solutions supporting all of Microsoft’s online services infrastructure. We work with various network engineering, capacity, and long-range planning teams on a collaborative basis to ensure the Microsoft network has the highest quality and availability globally.

We're looking for someone with experience in a fast-paced production environment, you must be agile and able to adapt to changing conditions and priorities. The successful candidate will need analytical, excellent communication, and collaboration skills. You will be working with people from many different teams and backgrounds. You must be able to influence others and work cross-functionally to achieve broad goals. You must be able to work independently and drive for impact and results. A proven track record of successfully managing projects and stakeholders, removing overhead and improving workflows is a primary skill set needed to be successful in this role.

About the Role

Within the CIA Network Fiber Team, SPOC team drives operational excellence through business rhythms, actionable analytics, and strategic initiatives.

As a Senior Technical Program Manager, Network Optimization, you will help optimize Microsoft’s global network fiber investments and installed base. You will combine financial analysis, data insights, and technical program leadership to improve network economics, strengthen investment decisions, and optimize long-term cost. You will partner 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.

We’re looking for someone who is analytical, curious, collaborative, and comfortable with ambiguity, with the ability to move between strategy and execution while building trust through clear, data-driven recommendations.

How You’ll Make an Impact

You’ll bring together network, financial, commercial, and operational insights to help leaders make better investment decisions. You’ll create greater transparency into network economics, simplify decision processes, and help turn analysis into actions that improve cost efficiency and business outcomes.

• Lead key business and financial rhythms for Network Fiber, including planning, budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, reporting, and financial governance.
• Lead the global Strategic Sourcing Review (SSR) process and help strengthen decision-making, governance, and approval mechanisms.
• Develop TCO, unit-cost, and scenario models, including $/Gbps, $/TB, and route-level economics.
• Translate financial and operational insights into clear, executive-ready recommendations that support 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 strong communication, documentation, and change management.

Required Qualifications:

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.

While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree AND 8+ years experience engineering, product/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 working 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 with 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.

#COICareers | #EPCCareers | #DCDCareers

Technical Program Management IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 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.