Data Center IT Infra Project Manager

Overview
As a Microsoft Data Center Project Manager (DCPM), you will perform troubleshooting for service incidents, manage assigned projects to meet service delivery objectives as well escalate to appropriate stakeholders to remove obstacles. You will also follow safety policies and procedures and participate in root cause analysis (RCA) of incidents. This job will allow you to build a solid understanding of data center procedures, engage in collaboration across various teams as well as provide mentorship across data centers by sharing best practices.
Microsofts Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a CO+I DCPM, you will perform a key role in delivering the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsofts online services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform. As a group, CO+I is focused on the personal and professional development for all employees and offers trainings and growth opportunities including Career Rotation Programs, Diversity & Inclusion trainings and events, and professional certifications.
Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 200 data centers in 32 countries and millions of servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide.
With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our data center design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.
Microsofts 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

• Own end-to-end project delivery for Data Center IT initiatives including rack deployments, server/storage installations, network readiness, and IT infrastructure expansions.
• Develop and manage project plans, schedules, budgets, RAID logs, and dependency tracking across multiple concurrent data center projects.
• Coordinate with Data Center Operations, Engineering, Network, Facilities, Security, Vendors, and OEM partners to ensure timely and compliant execution.
• Act as the single point of contact (SPOC) for IT Infra project execution within the data center.
• Drive cross-functional alignment between IT, facilities, and business stakeholders to avoid delivery blockers.
• Ensure adherence to data center standards, SOPs, safety, security, and compliance requirements.
  
• Track and report project status, risks, milestones, and KPIs to senior leadership and governance forums.
• Manage vendor deliverables, installation schedules, acceptance criteria, and performance SLAs.
• Support capacity planning and readiness activities including power, space, cooling, and cabling coordination with DC teams.
• Lead change management activities including change requests, impact assessments, and go-live readiness.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and standardization across DC IT delivery.
• Ensure documentation completeness including HLD/LLD coordination, as-built documentation, handover checklists, and closure reports.
• Proactively manage risks and escalations, ensuring minimal impact to production and customer commitments.
• Support audit, compliance, and governance requirements related to data center IT projects.
• Mentor junior project coordinators and contribute to PMO best practices within DC operations.
• Demonstrate conscientiousness on cost adheres to budget requirements; keep costs reasonable and contribute to staying within budget. Follow and adhere to safety and security policies and procedures.
• Report immediately any safety or security issues or concerns. Perform troubleshooting for service incidents and escalates, as appropriate, to meet SLA/OLAs, with minimal disruption to the client/customer and business.
• Recognize potential customer impact of other events and issues (e.g., customer lockdown), communicate potential impact, and plan for impact accordingly. Proactively review schedules and avoid conflicts when possible.
• Identify, coordinate, manage expectations, and offer alternatives when defining customer solutions. Manage relationships with clients and suppliers to ensure that all expectations are clarified, understood, documented, and met.
• Suggest ways for reducing the risk of performing maintenance; work with others to accommodate scheduling needs. In alignment with management priorities, hold self-accountable for the end-to-end service quality, completeness, and resulting customer experience (including but not limited to availability, safety, security, customer service).
• Support escalation of issues to appropriate owner. Embody our culture and values.
  

Qualifications
Required Qualifications: Graduation in the relevant domain or equivalent AND also, 5 plus years industry experience.2+ Years experience in Project Management Role.
Preferred Qualifications
2+ years experience in physical IT infrastructures (e.g., Servers, SANs, Networking, Capacity, DC Rack/Enclosures, structured cabling) or working in Critical Environment infrastructures (e.g., UPS, Generator, AHU).Technical College degree in Computer Science, Math, Telecommunications, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or related field. Applicable certifications: ASICS/Inventory Control, CompTIA, Microsoft, Network Certifications, PMP, ITIL, CDCP.
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.
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.