Data Centre Pre-Construction Program Manager - Lease Portfolio (EMEA)

Overview

Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a Program Manager for Integrated Lease Delivery (ILD) team, you will perform a key role in delivering the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's online services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform. As a group, CO+I is focused on personal and professional development for all employees and offers training and growth opportunities including Career Rotation Programs, Diversity & Inclusion training and events, and professional certifications.

This role sits within the Integrated Lease Delivery (ILD) function and focuses on Pre-Constrcution and Front End Planning across the Data Centre leasing portfolio, ensuring projects are set up for successful delivery through partnership with Lease Providers, robust planning, governance, and risk management.

If you bring strong technical and business acumen, leadership capability, and a proactive, data-driven mindset—this role offers the opportunity to shape one of Microsoft’s most strategically important global portfolios.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more. We operate with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realise shared goals.

Responsibilities

Front End Planning & Delivery Readiness

• Lead the front-end planning process across the EMEA lease portfolio, ensuring all projects meet defined readiness criteria prior to execution.
• Define and implement standardised planning frameworks, checklists, and governance gates aligned with lease requirements and Global Design standards.
• Ensure scope clarity, contract alignment, and deliverable completeness prior to delivery handover.

Lease Provider Engagement & Performance Alignment

• Act as the primary interface for lease providers during front-end planning, ensuring early alignment on scope, timelines, and deliverables.
• Drive consistent planning expectations and standards across lease providers, aligned with Microsoft requirements.
• Support onboarding and integration of lease providers into standardised processes and requirements.
• Identify and mitigate risks arising from lease provider capability, capacity, or performance gaps at early stages.
• Partner with performance management functions to ensure front-end readiness aligns with broader lease provider performance frameworks.

Portfolio Pipeline Planning

• Provide end-to-end visibility of the project pipeline, supporting delivery planning across a large-scale portfolio.
• Partner with regional teams and partner teams to prioritise projects based on demand, readiness, and risk profile.
• Drive consistency in pipeline forecasting, tracking, and reporting.

Risk Management & Escalation

• Identify and mitigate front-end risks with Lease Providers, including design readiness, contract gaps, permitting dependencies, power risks, and stakeholder misalignment.
• Lead structured risk management for pre-construction issues prior to lease execution.
• Ensure risks are clearly tracked, communicated, and escalated through governance channels.

Contract & Compliance Alignment

• Ensure delivery alignment to the lease contract, including Exhibit requirements and compliance criteria.
• Support early identification and resolution of contract gaps in the Integrated Master Schedule.
• Ensure lease providers meet contractual and documentation requirements prior to delivery.

Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Alignment

• Act as the central coordination point across ILD, Design, Finance, and lease providers.
• Drive alignment, accountability, and timely decision-making across internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide leadership with clear visibility of readiness, risks, and priorities.

Process Standardisation & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and embed scalable, repeatable front-end planning processes across EMEA and lease providers.
• Lead lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives, incorporating lease provider feedback where appropriate.
• Drive tooling, automation, and reporting enhancements.

Reporting & Governance

• Provide executive-level reporting on readiness, risks, pipeline, and lease provider alignment.
• Support governance forums including lessor engagement and portfolio reviews.
• Maintain high levels of data quality and consistency across systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related experience
• Strong experience in project/programme management within construction or infrastructure environments
• Proven ability to manage complex stakeholder and vendor ecosystems
• Demonstrated experience in planning, risk management, and governance frameworks
• Strong analytical capability with experience using data and reporting tools

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

• Proven experience in:

  • Data centre / mission-critical infrastructure (MEP-intensive environments).
  • Pre-construction / front-end planning.
  • Portfolio pipeline planning and programme delivery.
  • Understanding of power, cooling, redundancy systems.

• Experience working with lease providers, contractors or developer partners, including:

  • Early-stage engagement and alignment.
  • Performance and capability assessment.
  • Driving consistency across multiple external delivery partners.

• Experience within lease-based or large-scale infrastructure delivery models.

• Strong understanding of contract structures, compliance, and construction lifecycle.

• Proven track record in standardisation, operational excellence, and process improvement across portfolios.

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.

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Technical Program Management IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across United Kingdom is £ 74,700.00 - £ 122,600.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/united-kingdom-corporate-pay.html

Technical Program Management IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across Ireland is € 77,400.00 - € 130,000.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/ireland-corporate-pay.html

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.