Principal Technical Program Manager - AI Portfolio

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Delivery organization is focused on delivering various platform services to our customers worldwide.  This role will require deep partnership across all of Microsoft as these programs are on the leading edge of innovation and include driving initiatives and technology shifts that shape our ongoing commitment to deliver AI platform services rapidly at cloud scale.

We are part of Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I), the group responsible for one of the world’s largest cloud infrastructures, powering all Microsoft online products and services, and supporting Microsoft’s “Cloud First” strategy.  CO+I is focused on growth, efficiency, and providing reliable experiences to customers and partners worldwide. 

We are looking for a highly motivated Principal Technical Program Manager to play a key role in managing our global AI portfolio.  This individual will be responsible for GPU deployment portfolio planning, risk management, process improvement, and strategic projects to accelerate portfolio execution.  The ideal candidate will leverage a mix of technical program management expertise, process improvement and cross-functional leadership experience to help our AI programs effectively scale within a highly dynamic business environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree AND 6+ years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.

Other Qualifications:

The ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screenings:

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Program management certificate (Project Management Professional-PMP, Masters level university certificate program or equivalent) 
• Bachelor's Degree AND 8+ years' experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 10+ years' experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
• 3 years' experience managing large-scale programs in technology deployments or cloud infrastructure
• 3 years' experience applying industry standard risk management methodologies
• 3 years' experience driving process improvements using Lean, Six Sigma or related methodologies
• 1+ year(s) SQL & PowerBI experience
• Analytical skills to analyze data, identify trends and make data-driven decisions.
• Experience in cloud infrastructure management

Technical Program Management IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $267,000 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $180,400 - $294,000 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until January 3, 2025.

Analysis of Customer and Market Signals:

• Identifies complex opportunities and gaps across divisions, comparing metrics. Leads customer feedback engagements.
• Expert in market research, competitive analysis, and industry trends. Integrates data to identify patterns and build plans.
• Coaches teams on problem statements and hypotheses. Owns experiments to test hypotheses and inform feature decisions.
• Leads process improvements and aligns stakeholders with strategy. Collaborates with teams to meet customer needs. Evaluates market size and explores new opportunities. Defines solution roadmaps.

Product/Service Definition:

• Collaborates with Engineering to design architecture and solutions for complex needs across divisions. Reviews and approves designs, identifies best options, and creates new solutions. Works with architects to develop future-proof architecture and represents solutions to customers.
• Defines program goals and priorities for multiple feature areas. Translates organizational needs into goals and deliverables based on data insights. Provides recommendations to stakeholders for complex decisions.
• Defines success criteria and performance metrics (e.g., OKRs, KPIs) across divisions. Ensures necessary telemetry is developed. Mentors others on defining success metrics and presents ROI to senior leadership.

Product/Service Development:

• Builds relationships to drive orchestration and integration for multiple feature areas in large, complex projects. Influences leadership and ensures alignment on product management and release.
• Partners with engineering to prioritize and deliver on the roadmap, justifying capacity and advocating for resources.
• Manages project schedules, processes, and dependencies, making adjustments as needed.
• Develops staging and implementation plans, aligning with OKRs and KPIs, and collaborates to monitor progress.
• Leads governance programs to meet performance standards.
• Validates outcomes and drives continuous quality improvements, writing test cases to enhance quality.

Product/Service Performance:

• Partners with Data Science, Software, and Hardware Engineering to collect and analyze KPIs (usage, quality, speed, cost, performance). Monitors progress, derives insights, and improves development across divisional boundaries. Uses customer listening systems, telemetry, and engagements to develop insights and share with Engineering. Forms hypotheses, performs experiments, and iterates to improve metrics.
• Leads customer supportability, provides documentation, monitors product usage, and conducts root-cause analysis. Collaborates with Engineering and others to drive support process improvements.
• Acts as a technical advisor, educates customers, leads engagements, gathers feedback, supports sales enablement, and participates in business deals and strategic partnerships.