Execution Contracts Manager at Microsoft

Overview

• Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the cloud.  We are responsible for delivering over 200 Microsoft web portals, Live and Online Services around the world including infrastructure, security and compliance, operations, globalization, and manageability. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering a trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide. We are looking for a passionate, high-energy individual to help build the network that powers the world’s largest online services.
• Within CO+I, the Contracts Management team is responsible for establishing a construction services supply chain that can meet and deliver services to support the ever-growing growth of the Cloud and our customers. We support a portfolio of complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-billion, multi-year datacenter construction projects. 
• We are looking to fill a critical role of Execution Contracts Manager to lead the procurement and contracts management of multiple data center build projects in South Africa as we continue to develop our build program across the Europe Middle East Africa (EMEA) region.
• 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.
• “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.”

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 5+ years experience in Commercial / Contractual Construction Role, Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR Bachelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying,  Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 6+ years experience in Commercial / Contractual Construction Role, Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 7+ years experience in Commercial / Contractual Construction Role, Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR Bachelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 8+ years experience in Commercial / Contractual Construction Role, Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR equivalent experience.

Category Experience:

• Deep Construction Execution Experience in Supply Chain and Contracts Management is an absolute requirement for this role.
• Experience in more key construction categories including Architect / Engineering consultancy, Infrastructure Equipment and construction services would be of benefit too.
• Experience on large-scale mission critical construction projects is an absolute requirement - sourcing, managing, and administering contracts over USD $100M.
• Strong negotiation skills, ability to lead a cross functional team in the development of negotiation plans to drive positive outputs.

Behavioral Attributes:

• Can create clarity, generate energy, and deliver success; always be planning for the future.
• Have high integrity – must be ethical and strong value-based individual focused on fairness and maintaining confidentiality.
• Bring high energy – a drive to achieve results in midst of ambiguity and a matrix organization.
• Be a high performer – be able to fit the Microsoft “culture” by effectively multi-tasking and managing priorities; have a “sense of urgency” regarding issue resolution.
• Understand the importance of relationships inside the company and with our supply chain partners.
• Procurement Planning:  Implement procurement plans to effectively deliver against project goals on budget.

Negotiation:  

• Implement appropriate negotiation strategies for the specified scope, incorporating cross functional perspectives as necessary to build a holistic plan together with clear allocation of roles and responsibilities.
• Supplier Selection:  Participate in supplier selection and performance management; ensure alignment to Microsoft business goals throughout.
• Contracting:  Deep understanding of industry contracting norms and ability to rapidly develop understanding of Microsoft contracting requirements; Lead / participate in negotiation of contracts that meet business goals.
• Contract Oversight:  Monitor key elements of supplier performance to contracted requirements; implement corrective action and lessons learned.  Manage the administration of the contract with our stakeholders as the Subject Matter Expert and the appointed person to manage all notices, changes, claims and other Contractual Matters.
• Project Management:  Develop and implement plans to effectively deliver goods and services on time and within specification while managing risk.
• Continuous Improvement:  Always seek ways to streamline, automate, and simplify processes; includes deployment of tools, using data analytics and working with IT groups to define system requirements.