Program Manager, Background Screening

Job Description

Overview

At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. This mission is grounded in both the world we live in and the future we strive to create. The Microsoft Global Security team focuses on building and delivering connected, accessible, sustainable, and secure campuses worldwide that provide exceptional employee experiences. Our team protects Microsoft, its people, and its assets in more than 170 countries.

We are seeking a Program Manager, Background Screening, to join our Global Security Operations and Background Screening team. In this role, the Program Manager is responsible for the governance, oversight, and consistency of Microsoft’s background screening programs within the EMEA region, aligned to global standards and policy.

The Program Manager partners closely with Human Resources, Legal, and approved screening suppliers to oversee adjudication processes, manage escalations, maintain documentation standards, and support continuous improvement of screening programs, processes, and systems.

Responsibilities

Security Risk Management

• Identifies security risks by gathering, analyzing, and evaluating information related to existing or potential threats that could impact Microsoft infrastructure, business operations, people, or assets. Monitors emerging and evolving risks that may affect background screening programs and related controls.
• Designs, implements, and monitors controls to address identified risks, assessing the effectiveness of mitigation measures over time. Supports the development of plans of action and milestones to track and manage risk remediation. Ensures that screening-related risks are appropriately escalated and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Security Services

• Executes and supports the development of procedures and processes that ensure background screening services meet required legal, regulatory, and policy standards. Maintains records, manuals, and documentation related to background screening in accordance with Microsoft document retention and compliance requirements.
• Supports operational oversight of screening activities by monitoring trends, identifying potential gaps, and escalating issues to appropriate internal teams or external authorities as needed. Delivers and maintains background screening programs within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Coordinates the oversight of day-to-day background screening activities across industry hire screening, venture acquisition screening, supplier-related screening (where applicable), and contract or engagement screening programs.

Leadership

• Supports the development and maintenance of public, private, and supplier security partnerships related to background screening. Engages with stakeholders such as Human Resources, Legal, and screening suppliers to communicate screening standards, escalation outcomes, and risk considerations.
• Contributes to the development of a strategic vision and service model that can adapt to a changing environment, improve onboarding efficiency, ensure consistency of screening outcomes, and support fiscally responsible operations. Summarizes and reports screening-related risk insights, trends, and issues to internal stakeholders and leadership as appropriate.
• Provides leadership and strategic direction to screening suppliers, ensuring contractual service levels, quality standards, and escalation protocols are consistently met.

Design and Project Management

• Manages process improvements related to background screening quality, efficiency, and service levels. Uses performance metrics, supplier scorecards, periodic reviews, and other mechanisms to assess supplier performance and provide actionable feedback.
• Identifies and supports the implementation of innovation and technology improvements for new and existing screening systems, workflows, and integrations.

Background Screening

• Provides oversight and adjudication support for pre-employment screening, re-screening of existing employees, and engagement-related screening where required. Supports the resolution of complex, ambiguous, or escalated screening cases by coordinating additional review, validation, and documentation in partnership with Human Resources, Legal, and approved screening providers.
• Ensures that screening outcomes, decisions, and supporting documentation are properly recorded and retained in accordance with Microsoft policy and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Other

• Embody Microsoft’s culture and values.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive experience in background screening program management, corporate investigations or a related governance, risk, or compliance role.
• Office presence of minimum 3 days per week.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Criminal Justice, Law, or Business Administration.
• Strong understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to corporate security and background screening.
• Experience in supplier or vendor account management.
• Proven track record of managing complex programs or projects.
• Experience in a security, risk management, or compliance role, preferably within a multinational corporate environment.
• Excellent analytical, communication, interviewing, and report-writing skills.

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.