Critical Environment Program Manager.
Microsoft · Western Cape
OverviewThe Critical Environment Program Manager is a strategic leadership role within Microsoft Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I), responsible for driving operational excellence, reliability, and program execution across the critical infrastructure supporting Microsoft’s global cloud services.
This role requires an individual who can operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels, connecting global CO+I priorities with local execution and ensuring that Critical Environment programs are delivered consistently, safely, and to the required availability standards.
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.
Do you want to empower billions across the world? Come and join us in CO+I and be at the forefront of the action!
Responsibilities
- Strategic Program Leadership
Lead and deliver strategic Critical Environment programs aligned to CO+I business objectives, ensuring clear scope, priorities, milestones, ownership, and measurable outcomes. - Operational Reliability & Availability
Drive programs that improve the reliability, resilience, and availability of Critical Environment infrastructure supporting Microsoft cloud services, proactively identifying systemic risks and opportunities for improvement. - Risk, Compliance & Governance
Own governance frameworks for operational risk, compliance, audit readiness, and risk remediation, ensuring risks are clearly assessed, mitigated, tracked, and escalated appropriately. - Cross-Functional Stakeholder Leadership
Lead through influence across Site Operations, Engineering, Projects, Security, Safety, Engineering, landlords, suppliers, and global CO+I teams to achieve program objectives and resolve complex operational challenges. - Operational Excellence & Standardization
Identify and implement opportunities to standardize processes, improve operational maturity, eliminate recurring issues, and establish scalable best practices across Critical Environment operations. - Performance Management & Data-Driven Decision Making
Establish and monitor meaningful KPIs, operational metrics, and program health indicators, using data and trends to drive informed decisions, prioritize investment, and demonstrate measurable business impact. - Capability, Innovation & Continuous Improvement
Develop organizational capability through knowledge sharing, training, technology adoption, automation, and continuous-improvement initiatives, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, safety, and operational excellence.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent AND 5+ year(s) industry experience in a datacenter or other critical environment facility, OR 5+ years industry experience and college course work.
- 5+ years’ experience in Critical Environment infrastructures (e.g., UPS, Generator, AHU)
- Bachelor’s Degree or Technical College certification in mechanical or electrical engineering and/or services
- Experience working on large scale CE projects
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.
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.