APAC Regional Planning Manager

Overview

Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind one of the world’s largest Cloud Infrastructures, responsible for powering all Microsoft online Products and Services as well as powering Microsoft’s “Cloud First” mission. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering a trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide, and we are looking for passionate, energy program managers to help achieve that mission. Within CO+I, the APAC Project Controls team is responsible for delivering core datacenter infrastructure for Microsoft’s cloud business. The MS portfolio consists of complex, multi-disciplinary, large scale, multi-year datacenter construction and lease projects. We are looking for a passionate, high-energy individual to help fill the critical role of APAC Regional Planning Manager. 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

Team Leadership and Management: 

• Provide leadership and direction across the APAC planning portfolio and partnering teams, leading employees and vendors throughout the project lifecycle.
• Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members, ensuring alignment with project goals and individual strengths.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment, promoting open communication and knowledge sharing.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide feedback, and identify opportunities for professional development.

Project Planning and Strategy:

• Lead and drive coordination for meetings and activities with project stakeholders. Initializes and identifies opportunities to discuss and integrate lessons learned, advocating for safe and secure security-first mindset during project planning.
• Influence and provide direction and coaching to internal and external partners to facilitate and accomplish complex, critical issues that may significantly impact projects (e.g., establishing and executing upon team goals, following business processes, engaging vendor relationships, and fostering cross-group collaboration efforts with the agreed-upon project strategy, milestone delivery, and core values and priorities (Safety, Security, Quality, Schedule, Cost)).
• Lead the delivery of EPC plans, including timelines and resource allocation to guide the execution of datacenter construction projects. Lead portfolio level planning across APAC, ensuring compliance to business OKRs and scheduling standards, providing guidance and direction to cross-functional teams.
• Manage and integrate cross-functional teams, including engineers, procurement, and construction to ensure project milestones are met and deliverables are completed on time.
• Develop and lead planning and scheduling standards and process, while ensuring consistency with global standards and strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across EPC and partnering groups including Energy, Land Development, Permitting.
• Continuously improve project management processes and tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness. 

Planning 

• Develop and oversee continuous improvement of detailed project plans, including timelines, and resource requirements, for large-scale datacenter construction projects.
• Monitor project risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate potential issues.
• Work with clients to understand their needs and ensure project outcomes meet their expectations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders. 

Project Management 

• Proactively manage multiple project schedules simultaneously, ensuring that each project meets its objectives and is delivered on time.
• Provide integrated planning input to support project funding and approvals processes.
• Continuously improve planning processes and tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Provide regular project updates to management and other stakeholders. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree AND 12+ years experience in construction management/planning, engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or equivalent experience. 
• Experience in organizational change management and business process improvement
• Should have a mix of technical and program management skills and experience
• Interpersonal, communication and presentation skills 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of program management / datacenter construction or lease / network engineering experience; self-motivated, confident working at a executive level and comfortable working in a matrixed organization
• 10+ years experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
• Professional PM certification, PMP, ESi, PMI, Prince 2 or equivalent
• Demonstrably clear leadership skills and experience working with large, diverse teamsUnderstanding of business and financial objectives and plans accordingly
• Executive level communication and engagement skills
• Ability to work in a flexible, fast-paced environment
• Track record of coaching teams and mentoring others in planning, organizing and coordinating their work.

The candidate possesses the following is an advantage:

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree
• Experience managing large scale construction or network infrastructure projects
• Problem identification and problem resolution skills
• Understanding of contract language

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.