Director of Critical Environment (CE) Operations
Microsoft · Helsinki · €98,800–€182,800 (stated in the posting)
OverviewWe are looking for a Director of Critical Environment (CE) Operations to join our Microsoft Finland Team as we build out this next core region in the Microsoft's Cloud Infrastructure and Operations (MCIO). This is a leadership role with responsibility for the build-out and subsequent daily operations of the Critical Environment group, overseeing all Electrical, Mechanical, and associated Critical Environment staff and workstreams. The Critical Environment Operations Director will play a pivotal leadership role in enabling the infrastructure that supports Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Xbox, OneDrive, Bing and other cloud services.
We are seeking candidates with demonstrated experience in data center operations or other critical environment settings, including work supporting mission-critical services and high-availability infrastructure. This experience may be developed across a range of industries, including data centers, manufacturing, oil and gas, healthcare, pharmaceutical, or similar critical infrastructure sectors, or through an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience.
Microsoft's Cloud Infrastructure and Operations (MCIO) organization powers the cloud services that millions of people and organizations rely on every day. Our global infrastructure spans hundreds of datacentres and supports customers around the world.
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We embrace a growth mindset, respect diverse perspectives, and create an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and do their best work.
Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Own Critical Environment operational accountability across safety, reliability, availability, compliance, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
- Lead executive response to critical incidents and business continuity events, driving service restoration, root cause resolution, and long-term resilience.
- Establish governance for maintenance execution, operational readiness, procedural quality, performance management, and operational excellence.
- Oversee enterprise operational risk, resilience, business continuity, and compliance programs.
- Lead operational readiness for new datacenter capacity and major infrastructure programs, ensuring successful transition from construction to operations.
- Influence multi-million-dollar investment decisions by translating technical risk into business priorities and reliability outcomes.
- Partner with suppliers and service providers to drive performance, accountability, innovation, and value delivery.
People & Culture Leadership
- Build and lead an inclusive, high-performing organization through leadership development, succession planning, and workforce planning.
- Foster a culture in which employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work.
- Strengthen organizational capability through manager effectiveness, technical readiness, talent development, and employee growth.
- Champion learning, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Develop future leaders and create opportunities for diverse talent to grow and advance.
Strategic Leadership
- Translate complex technical and operational challenges into clear business decisions and strategic priorities.
- Drive alignment across Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Security, Information Technology Operations, Environmental Health and Safety, Finance, and Business Leadership teams.
- Shape the future of Critical Environment Operations through standardization, innovation, operational excellence, and transformation.
- Represent operational health, risks, and opportunities to executive stakeholders, influencing long-term business outcomes.
- Lead large-scale organizational change, aligning stakeholders and delivering measurable business results.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Mission-critical service management experience (e.g., mechanical systems, electrical systems, controls systems)
Proven experience leading, directly managing, and influencing large, diverse organizations of full-time employees across multiple operational, technical, and support disciplines.
Experience leading large-scale Mechanical and/or Electrical infrastructure programs within mission-critical, high-availability environments.
Experience leading operational risk management, critical incident response, business continuity, resilience, and crisis management programs in complex operational environments.
Experience partnering with senior and executive stakeholders to influence operational strategy, investment priorities, and risk-based decisions across large-scale infrastructure portfolios.
You will be required to travel between sites as part of this role so a valid driver’s license will be required.
*This role requires you to be on-site and the location has limited public transport. Your own form of transport is advised.
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 Preferred Qualifications:
- Enterprise-level experience managing large scale and complex projects/programs AND experience in Critical Environment infrastructures (e.g., UPS, Generator, AHU) AND Experience managing budget $5M+.
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Math, Telecommunications, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management or related field.
- Experience leading diverse, technical workforce OR experience managing global and virtual teams.
- Applicable certifications: ASICS/Inventory Control, CompTIA, Microsoft, Network Certifications, CCNA Certifications, ITIL v3 Foundation, Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) Certifications, Leadership Development Certifications, PMP, CDCP.
- Bachelor’s Degree or Technical College certification in mechanical or electrical engineering and/or services
- Experience working on large scale CE projects
Data Center Operations Management M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Finland is € 98,800.00 - € 182,800.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/finland-corporate-pay.html
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.