Principal Program Manager - Front End Planning

Principal Program Manager - Front End Planning | Microsoft Careers Skip to main content Microsoft Careers Careers Careers Search Search jobs Sign in Single PositionView All JobsPrincipal Program Manager - Front End PlanningUnited States, Washington, RedmondApply nowAdd to cartFind out how well you match with this jobUpload your resumeJob descriptionCompany and benefitsJob number200039603Date postedJul 10, 2026Work site3 days / week in-officeTravelLess than 25%ProfessionProgram ManagementDisciplineTechnical Program ManagementRole typeIndividual ContributorEmployment typeFull-TimeOverviewMicrosoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO&I) is the team behind the cloud.  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.     The Principal Program Manager – Front-End Planning will lead the overall front-end planning function for AMERS Lease delivery, establishing the operating model, governance framework, and cross-functional intake process required to position leased data center projects for successful execution. This role will provide broad program leadership across lease construction management, ITIM, scheduling, cost, and technical readiness workstreams.  We are seeking a strategic, senior program leader to develop and lead a multidisciplinary Front-End Planning function that provides comprehensive lease intake analysis, delivery governance, execution prepositioning, and risk-based recommendations before lease projects transition into execution. This leader will build and coordinate a team of lease construction management, ITIM, schedule, and cost personnel to assess project readiness, validate assumptions, identify gaps, and ensure scope, budget, schedule, safety, and operational requirements are clearly understood before execution handoff. 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. This role is located either in one or all hub locations - Atlanta, GA, Redmond, WA, San Antonio, TX or Phoenix, AZ. Relocation support will be provided, and successful candidates must ​relocate or reside within 50 miles of the hub office location. This role is eligible for hybrid or remote work, up to (40) %.  ResponsibilitiesThe Principal Program Manager – Front-End Planning is a senior leader within Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) organization responsible for establishing and leading the front-end planning capability for leased data center delivery. This role provides program leadership across lease construction management, ITIM, schedule, cost, technical integration, and readiness planning to ensure proposed lease projects are fully assessed, governed, and positioned for execution. The role owns the end-to-end front-end planning operating model, including intake standards, governance forums, decision support, readiness criteria, and execution turnover expectations. The Principal Program Manager will lead a multidisciplinary team and partner with internal stakeholders, lessors, and subject matter experts to convert early lease opportunities into actionable execution inputs with clear alignment on scope, budget, schedule, risks, assumptions, and delivery responsibilities. Key Responsibilities Lead the overall Front-End Planning function for AMERS Lease delivery, establishing the framework, governance, standards, and cadence for intake analysis and execution readiness. Develop and lead a...