Overview:

Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the cloud. CO+I is responsible for delivering 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 deliver 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.

The Data Center Sub-regional lead will oversee the operational activities of the Australia & New Zealand Sub-Regional team and vendors with the APAC Regional Director on Lease Construction & Integration objectives and key results. This includes the oversight of lease and build contracting, design, execution, procurement and installation activities with safety at the forefront of mind. He/She will manage both internal and external stakeholders on the program alignment, while focusing on safety, cost, schedule and quality in all aspects of the DC execution lifecycle.

The ANZ Sub-Regional Lead will oversee and take accountability for the team to produce and manage project plans as well as executing major milestones in the project lifecycle i.e. (Kick Off, Early Access, Beneficial Use, Corporate Network Live, Security CX Complete, IST, RFS, RNI, Telecom Infrastructure Fit Out Complete, Lockdown, Colo Go Live) and for the financial approval and management function.

This position can be based in Melbourne or Sydney and will have responsibility of leading DCBM scope of work for multiple campuses across ANZ sub-region. As part of the wider Asia Pacific DCBM Leadership team, the resource will help drive regional initiatives run through our global program team.

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.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

The key responsibilities of the DC Sub-Regional Lead include, but are not limited to:

Program & Portfolio Leadership:

• Lead the execution of all ANZ datacentre build and lease projects, ensuring predictable delivery of RFS, RNI, and commissioning milestones.

• Drive strategic alignment with APAC leadership on capacity planning, portfolio priorities, delivery risks, and longrange forecasting.

• Oversee simultaneous delivery of highMW, highcomplexity projects—including accelerated AI builds, Class A new builds, and IFO lease facilities.

Technical & Delivery Oversight:

• Provide technical direction across design, telco integration, commissioning (Cx), network readiness, procurement sequencing, and construction execution.

• Ensure adherence to global DCBM processes, SOPs, Division 1 specifications, and Lease FDR/SOS standards.

• Resolve critical path dependencies across telecoms, security, fibre delivery, Corp Net/ZTN, and commissioning teams.

Stakeholder & Partner Management:

• Serve as the primary interface with Lessors, AEs, GCs, commissioning partners, and Microsoft crossfunctional teams (DCOPS, DCE/T, E2E, Safety, Cost, GSC).

• Lead escalations with external stakeholders related to design acceleration, NRC/PO cycles, schedule risk, and compliance.

• Ensure strong collaboration with SAP, E2E, DCD, and global engineering teams to maintain alignment on delivery models.

People Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead, coach, and develop ITIMs, LCMs, and vendor personnel across ANZ metros.

• Champion team culture, accountability, and performance—ensuring equitable workload distribution and proactive risk ownership.

• Oversee contractor/vendor performance, manage quality concerns, request replacements when needed, and uphold Microsoft standards onsite.

Financial Governance & Budget Management:

• Oversee budget planning, monthly Cap Council submissions, and longrange forecasting for ANZ projects.

• Ensure compliance with procurement processes, NRC/NTE reviews, 3quote requirements, and PO sequencing.

• Partner closely with Cost Management for financial controls, risk allocation, and cost optimization.

Safety, Quality & Compliance:

• Champion Microsoft’s safety culture and ensure all projects adhere to EHS standards.

• Lead incident escalation, risk mitigation, and adherence to safework practices across build and lease environments.

• Ensure quality processes are embedded, including commissioning readiness, documentation reviews, and turnover/acceptance compliance.

Strategic Initiatives & Continuous Improvement:

• Drive adoption of programs such as Shift Left, AI acceleration models, fibrereadiness frameworks, and process standardization.

• Identify systemic risks and process gaps and propose regionwide improvements.

• Represent ANZ in regional/global forums, providing insights and shaping delivery strategy.

Communication:

• Regularly reviews cost and KPI metrics, invoices, process/policy communications to partners.

• Coordinate meetings and activities of vendors, cost managers, and integration of lessons learned in support of the Data Center Integration & Construction Project Management Teams.

• Attend scheduled owner/architect/contractor (OAC) and other project meetings, and report, as necessary.

• Report Project Progress on scope, schedule, and budget in relation to the Lease Construction & Integration scope and packages as required for the ANZ Sub-Region.

• Challenge and remove barriers by working with others around a shared need or customer benefit.

• Ability to maintain a broader perspective, identify and evaluate opportunities to enhance the business through cross-group collaboration.

• Incorporate diverse perspectives to thoroughly address complex business issues.

• Ability to align teams' expectations with organizational/ inter-departmental goals through clear prioritization.

Accountability:

• Responsible for successfully meeting & exceeding all OKR’s for the ANZ Sub-Region – around Predictability, Cost, Safety, Schedule & Quality.

• Work collaboratively with all partner teams (E2E, DCE, CIA, AHN, DCD, DCOps, Cost, GSC, LIP, DCI-NE, AI/GPU etc) in support of the successful development of Data Center Projects in line with business requirements.

• Track lessons learned and apply to continuously improve processes and outcomes.

• Provide FTE & Vendor oversight and performance management, as required.

• Manage compliance with prior audit results and recommendations.

• Provide regular reports and updates to Regional CO+I LT on project progress.

• Identify & manage project risks helping with support & guidance on mitigation strategies.

Embody our Culture & Values Culture | Microsoft Careers

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Construction Management, or Electrical Trade qualified candidate with a strong/demonstrated background in the delivery of large-scale complex projects.

• 12+ years in data centre construction, telecom integration, or missioncritical infrastructure delivery.

• Proven leadership of large, multidisciplinary technical teams in complex, highpressure environments. High ownership, strong judgment, and ability to navigate ambiguity.

• Strong understanding of commissioning, fibre networks, security infrastructure, telecoms design, and EPC/GC delivery models.

• Experience managing builds and leases within accelerated / compressed delivery schedules.

• Demonstrated ability to manage senior stakeholder relationships, handle escalations, and influence outcomes across matrixed organizations.

• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, key initiatives, and deadlines simultaneously.

• Cross-group collaborator and influencer across teams and organizations with proven success in participating in cross-functional teams to deliver on key projects.

• Been an effective people manager – demonstrated experience of leading/growing a team. Empathyled people leader who fosters psychological safety, accountability, and high performance.

• High personal standard to deliver a thoughtful, polished, and quality work product.

• Strategic thinking with ability to translate business priorities into delivery execution.

• Excellent communication and escalation management skills across senior internal and external stakeholders.

#COICareers and #EPCCareers

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.