Overview:

• “Microsoft’s 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.”

• Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the cloud.  We are responsible for delivering over 200 Microsoft web portals, Live and Online Services around the world including infrastructure, security and compliance, operations, globalization, and manageability. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering a trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide. We are looking for a passionate, high-energy individual to help build the network that powers the world’s largest online services.

• Within CO+I, the Global Contracts Management team is responsible for establishing and managing construction services supply chain that can meet the growth of the Cloud to service our customers. We support a large portfolio of complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-year datacenter construction projects.

• We are looking to fill a critical role of Metro Contracts Lead to lead the procurement and contracts management of multiple data center construction projects in Germany as we continue to develop our build program across the EMEA region.

• In this role, the chosen candidate will lead the procurement and contracts management of construction services spread across multiple build sites with responsibility for developing and implementing procurement strategies for professional services categories including General Contractors, Specialist Trade Contractors, Architects & Engineers, Commissioning Agents and Project Managers.

• In addition to the procurement and contracting of the various construction categories this role will also encompass the post-contract management and administration of the contracts up to and including the negotiation of final account agreements.

• The Metro Contracts Lead will work in a cross functional leadership team for the Metro managing interfaces with all related peer functions such as Engineering, Project Controls and Construction Execution.

• 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.

• The role is primarily construction site-based in Cologne but is eligible for work from home up to 40%.

Responsibilities:

Procurement Planning and Management:

• Lead sourcing activities for various services, such as General Contractors, Architect Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Cost Management, Project Management, and others.

• Develop sourcing plans and negotiation strategies to effectively deliver against metro contracting strategies and project goals on budget and schedule.

• Lead supplier assessment and prepare contract award recommendations.

• Understand industry contracting norms and Microsoft contracting requirements; participate in negotiation of contracts that meet business goals.

Contract Review and Compliance:

• Responsible for ensuring all contractual requirements are met according to the terms and conditions.

• Executes procurement contracting strategies for large, complex data center construction projects and/or purchasing opportunities to achieve optimal cost and continuity of supply and services.

• Serve as first line of defense/communication with site stakeholders on commercial issues.

• Execute project closeout requirements.

Change Order Management:

• Lead Change Order entitlement negotiations with input from key stakeholders and detailed understanding of contractual conditions.

• Monitor and mitigate the impact of change orders to the project, and partner cross-functionally to resolve/escalate accordingly.

• Attend change management meetings and report on open change orders as applicable.

Execution Coordination & Communication:

• Assume all post-award contract execution responsibilities.

• Lead commercial decision making on all post-award activities through influencing project stakeholders.

• Identify potential challenges related to the project/contract and develop strategies to mitigate the risk and maintain compliance.

• Provide regular status reports on issues, risks and mitigations to leadership.

• Prepare contractual notices as appropriate using language from terms & conditions.

• Address and resolve any payment disputes submitted by suppliers.

• Lead with a claims avoidance mindset capturing risks early and working through mitigations with stakeholder parties. Facilitate and engage in negotiations with contractors and other parties to resolve disputes with regular updates to the client team.

• Collaborate with project stakeholders to review the GC’s subcontractor procurement deliverables and final recommendation of subcontractor award for each trade package.

  Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Drives business engagement and partnership with cross-functional teams including Planning, Strategic Sourcing, Cost Management, Engineering, Quality, Construction and Project Managers.

• Drives commercial compliance and problem resolution with General Contractors, Subcontractors and professional services suppliers.

• Actively partners with suppliers to identify and drive continuous improvement and risk management opportunities by evaluating procedural, operational, and/or environmental factors, analyzing root causes of issues, sharing insights with key stakeholders, and influencing the adoption of needed improvements.

  Continuous Improvement:

• Always seek ways to streamline, automate, and simplify processes; includes deployment of tools, using data analytics and working with IT groups to define system requirements.

  Culture:

• Embody Microsoft’s Culture and Values.

• Fully buy into Microsoft’s safety culture and support the implementation of this safety culture through all aspects of the contracts management role.

Qualifications:

achelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Supply Chain or construction related field AND 7+ years experience in dedicated Construction role

Additional or preferred qualifications

3+ years people management experience.

3+ years experience working in construction portfolio role across multiple parallel projects, preferably with German experience.

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.

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.