Planning Lead (EMEA)

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO&I) is the team behind the cloud.  Within CO&I, the Datacenter Engineering (DCE) 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 build the cloud datacenters that power the world’s largest online services.  

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.

Required Qualifications

• Experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects. Bachelor’s Degree AND experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.

Other 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. 

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects. Bachelor's Degree AND experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.
• Significant experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects
• Significant experience in planning medium sized capital projects in data center, oil and gas or chemicals (or related process industry). This experience should specifically include engineering and procurement, with specific examples of integrated construction planning.   
• Excellent understanding of Project Planning, Earned Value Management and Key Commodity Tracking and Oracle P6 project planning software.

Planning 

• Help develop Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) including timelines and dependencies for large-scale datacenter construction projects. 
• Work with cross-functional teams, including engineers, procurement, and construction to ensure project milestones are met and deliverables are completed on time. 
• 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 
• Continuously improve project management processes and tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness. 

General Contractor (GC) Procurement & Construction Schedule Baseline Management 

• Facilitate and support the development of a detailed Project Schedule along with project team, GC and Sub-Contractor vendors. 
• Work closely with the Regional Planning Lead to ensure the GC Baseline Schedule meets the standards and requirements defined within the DIV1 Specification.  
• Complete the GC Baseline Evaluation process and provide recommendations.  
• Carry out the GC Proposal Schedule Evaluations and provide evaluation narrative and scores.  

Schedule Analysis and Reporting 

• Facilitate and participate in weekly schedule reviews onsite with GC schedule teams to analyze and validate progress onsite. 
• Proactively analyze project schedules by; comparing cost/resource curves to actuals, tracking float consumption, perform schedule integrity (health) checks, carry-out delay impact analysis, monitor monthly performance and carry out variance analysis supporting Baseline Management and Change Control processes throughout the Project Lifecycle 
• Carry out and communicate Schedule Time Impact Assessments of schedule delay events and recommend mitigation strategies to recover and/or control the impacts.  
• Ensure GC compliance with MSFT Monthly and Weekly reporting cadence and Rhythm of Business requirements.  
• Evaluate GC Weekly and Monthly Schedule Reports, validate progress, review insights EPC PMs and provides feedback and recommendations to GC where necessary.    
• Validate schedule updates along with a narrative for submission to the project team and MSFT stakeholders. 
• Identify and mitigate threats to the project's schedule and initiate corrective actions through field staff.  
• Analyze resource loading and recommend adjustments / corrective action as appropriate. 
• Assess impacts of design and/or long lead equipment changes and provide recommendations to mitigate/recover the schedule. 
• Provide final review of schedules for estimating as requested. 

Collaboration  

• Support Collaborative Planning workshops by using the Schedule to help facilitate planning, coordination, and accurate progress reporting.   
• Interface with site management regarding critical schedule activities, change, impacts to schedule, change orders, project progress, and claims analysis. 
• Provide planning and schedule management support to DCD PMs, MSFT stakeholders, project teams and Redmond-based hub.  
• Support the Regional and Global Scheduling Leads with the formulation, implementation and ongoing development of scheduling processes and procedures.    

Rhythm of Business 

• Adhere to MSFT Rhythm of Business deliverables for your project.  
• Review and evaluate GC Schedule submittals.  
• Complete on-time Month End Project reports and review with EPC PMs. 
• Review Month End Project Report and evaluation findings with the GC and follow up on action items.  
• Support the Regional Schedule Lead in preparing for Monthly Regional Review.