Front End Planning and Scheduling Lead

Overview

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, and we need you as a Senior Integrated Planner – Front End Planning Lead.

As a Front End Planning Lead, you will play a critical role in establishing the foundation for successful project delivery across a portfolio of large-scale data center construction projects. This role is responsible for leading front- end planning activities from project initiation through schedule baseline approval, ensuring project schedules are realistic, compliant, and aligned with project objectives and execution strategies.

The successful candidate will provide subject matter expertise in schedule development, schedule evaluation, baseline reviews, risk assessment, and planning best practices. This individual will work closely with project teams, construction partners, consultants, and stakeholders to assess proposed schedules, identify risks and opportunities, and ensure high-quality baselines are established before project execution begins.

This is a highly collaborative and hands-on role requiring deep expertise in construction planning and scheduling, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence project teams and stakeholders across a large project portfolio.

Do you want to empower billions across the world? Come and join us in Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) and be at the forefront of the action!

Planning

• Lead front-end planning and scheduling activities across a portfolio of large-scale data center construction projects.
• Review and evaluate contractor, vendor, and project schedules during project development and procurement phases.
• Assess proposed schedules for completeness, logic, feasibility, execution strategy alignment, and overall quality.
• Perform detailed baseline schedule reviews to ensure schedules meet established planning standards and project requirements prior to approval.
• Partner with project teams to identify schedule gaps, risks, constraints, and opportunities during baseline development.
• Provide recommendations and guidance to improve schedule quality, constructability sequencing, milestone development, and critical path logic.
• Support development and maintenance of planning standards, schedule review criteria, and governance processes.
• Evaluate schedule revisions and baseline changes for alignment with project objectives and approved execution plans.
• Promote consistent planning methodologies and scheduling best practices across the portfolio.
• Develop executive-ready analysis and recommendations to support schedule approval and project decision-making.

Cross-Functional Planning Leadership

• Lead collaborative planning workshops with internal and external stakeholders to align project execution strategies and schedule assumptions.
• Facilitate schedule development and baseline review workshops across multiple projects and regions throughout the Americas portfolio.
• Drive early identification and resolution of schedule conflicts, dependencies, and execution challenges.
• Foster a culture of proactive planning, accountability, and collaboration across project teams.
• Build strong working relationships with project teams, Lease Providers, consultants, and stakeholders to support successful schedule development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 5+ years experience in Construction Management, engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.

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:

• Bachelor's Degree AND 10+ years experience in Construction Management, engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
• 5+ years of experience in planning/scheduling utilizing scheduling software (P6 and MS Project)
• 7+ years of experience in design and construction project management.
• 7+ years of experience in planning medium sized capital projects ($50MM - $200MM+) in construction, oil, gas or chemicals (or related process industry).
• Proven track record of delivering medium-to-large scale construction projects on time and to the satisfaction of clients.
• Excellent understanding of Project Planning.
• Demonstrated skills in project planning software’s Primavera P6 and MS Project.
• Strong familiarity with CPM scheduling methodology
• Ability to analyze EPC plans/schedule and provide deep insights into trends, issues, mitigations
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to self-direct work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage multiple project schedules simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to deliver high-quality work.
• Experience in Datacenter design and construction.
• Deep knowledge of Primavera P6 and other schedule health analysis tools
• Strong experience with Risk Schedule Analysis
• Ability to present data from detailed to high-level depending on audience.

Technical Program Management IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.