APAC Regional Planning Manager

Job Description

APAC Regional Planning Manager | Microsoft

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Microsoft, focused on the APAC region. Microsoft’s Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) team builds and manages one of the world’s largest cloud infrastructures, powering all Microsoft online products and services. This role is crucial for delivering core datacenter infrastructure by leading and optimizing regional planning for complex, large-scale construction and lease projects across the Asia-Pacific region.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Team: APAC Project Controls team within Cloud Operations + Innovation
• Mission: Lead regional planning for the delivery of complex, large-scale datacenter infrastructure projects across the APAC region.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Team Leadership and Management: Provide strategic leadership and direction for the APAC planning portfolio, guiding employees and vendors through the entire project lifecycle, assigning tasks, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment through feedback and professional development.
• Project Planning and Strategy: Lead and drive coordination for stakeholder meetings and activities, integrating lessons learned, advocating for a security-first mindset during planning, and delivering comprehensive EPC plans including timelines and resource allocation for datacenter construction projects across APAC.
• Process Development and Improvement: Develop, oversee, and continuously improve detailed project plans, scheduling standards, and processes, ensuring consistency with global standards and strategic priorities, and enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of project management tools.
• Cross-Functional Integration and Stakeholder Management: Manage and integrate diverse cross-functional teams including engineering, procurement, and construction to ensure project milestones are met, while also developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across EPC and partnering groups such as Energy, Land Development, and Permitting.
• Risk Management and Project Oversight: Proactively manage multiple project schedules simultaneously, provide integrated planning input for funding and approvals, monitor project risks, develop contingency plans to mitigate potential issues, and provide regular project updates to management and stakeholders.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, coupled with extensive experience in construction management/planning, engineering, product/technical program management, or data analysis.
• Experience: 12+ years of experience in construction management/planning, engineering, or program management, including 10+ years managing cross-functional projects. Demonstrated experience in organizational change management, business process improvement, and working at an executive level within a matrixed organization.
• Skills: Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with clear leadership abilities for large, diverse teams. Proficiency in problem identification and resolution, and a solid understanding of business and financial objectives.
• Bonus: Professional Project Management certification (PMP, ESi, PMI, Prince 2, or equivalent), an MBA or advanced degree, experience managing large-scale construction or network infrastructure projects, and an understanding of contract language.