Principal Program Manager (Delivery Excellence)

Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind one of the World’s largest Cloud Infrastructures, responsible for powering all Microsoft online Products and Services as well as powering Microsoft’s “Cloud First” mission. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering a trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide. We are looking for passionate, high-energy leaders to help achieve that mission.  

If you want to have fundamental impact on how Microsoft’s Cloud Infrastructure is built and operated globally and want to be involved with one of the most strategically important teams at Microsoft, if technical and business acumen, leadership, creativity, and out of the box thinking are some of the skills you bring to the table - this job is for you! 

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Principal Program Manager of data center Construction Delivery to champion the Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) philosophy and mindset. As a senior leader, you will be responsible for shaping the future of our datacenter delivery, ensuing we invest in the right construction strategy, build AWP capabilities, enabling adoption of industry best practices and implement fit for purpose practices to accelerate speed to market and schedule predictability.  

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day. 

Qualifications:  

Basic requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Project Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years of related experience.  

• OR equivalent experience. 

• 3+ years’ experience in Leadership experience in Construction Project Management and delivery. 

• AWP, Last Planner, and Lean methodology implementation experience are a must.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Proven success in leading project delivery on a portfolio of medium-to-large-scale projects across mission critical industries. 

• Experience working cross-functionally and leading optimization efforts that drive impactful change.  

• Creative problem-solving, analytical skills to drive key insights and collaboration across global teams within and outside the organization. 

• Previous experience leading construction innovation and transformation initiatives. 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and establish a data center project execution framework leveraging Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) and Last Planner methodologies and techniques across a portfolio of projects. 

• Implement collaborative planning while de-constraining and de-risking the path of construction.  

• Work closely with regional construction leaders and PMs to identify optimization/acceleration opportunities and develop effective strategies to implement them. 

• Facilitate the process of adopting Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) through a comprehensive and systemic change management approach across the EPC organization. Act as an empowered and respected change agent.   

• You will be dedicated entirely to supporting the transition to Advanced Work Packaging for planning purposes and Last Planner techniques for execution excellence. Your primary focus will be on fostering a spirit of collaboration and getting the entire team on board with AWP and Last Planner methodologies.   

• Demonstrate real, positional authority in DCD, across the entire project team, and throughout the Data Center project lifecycle. They are much more than a consultant or advisor who makes recommendations.   

• You will be the go-to person for Advanced Work Packaging questions and have a deep technical understanding of AWP systems and processes, and intimately familiar with AWP roles and responsibilities.   

• On a day-to-day basis, you will work directly with DCD teams, organize group training, and provide one-on-one coaching.  On pilot projects, you will customize templates and revise workflows. Throughout the project, the AWP SME will proactively identify internal roadblocks and work to address them by creating custom-fit AWP solutions for the project or the organization.  

• Develop and establish path of construction project execution framework and experience identifying schedule constraints at both project and portfolio levels.  

• Describe the rationale for the breakdown and allocation of the project scope of work. Document the critical interfaces between work packages and how those interfaces will be managed. 

• Outline the processes used for communication between the people and teams responsible for work packages and deliverables.  

• Describe how the project intends to implement the Knowledge Management Plan. Detail how the project will ensure the progressive integration of critical activities in line with ISO 21500 (Integration) 

• Develop strategic relationships and collaborative processes with internal EPC stakeholders in datacenter design, supply chain, risk management, E2E program management, and with General Contractors and Trade Partners to manage project on time and predictability of construction delivery.  

• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders across departments, including executives, business leaders, and technical teams. Foster partnerships and establish effective communication channels to gather requirements, provide updates, and ensure alignment with construction delivery optimization and growth initiatives. 

• Solid experience in deploying a construction progress monitoring system and developing portfolio performance management strategy.