Contract Lead

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 Global Supply Chain team is responsible for establishing a supply chain that can meet the ever-growing growth of the Cloud and our customers. We support a portfolio of complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-billion, multi-year datacenter construction and lease projects. Furthermore, we support the Operations team that manages and runs the cloud assets.

We are seeking a Contract Lead for our Global Contracts Management team to lead a program of build projects in Charlotte, NC. Relocation support will be provided, and successful candidates must ​relocate or reside within 50 miles of the office location.

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.

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.

As a Contract Lead, you will play a critical role in ensuring the successful execution of contracts related to construction projects. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, legal experts, and external stakeholders to manage contractual agreements, mitigate risks, and drive compliance at the job site.

Your attention to detail, negotiation skills, and ability to navigate complex contractual landscapes across the lifecycle of the project will be essential for this role.

Responsibilities

Procurement and Contracts

• Project Contract Sourcing :
• Work with the team for performing the RFP and sourcing for large contracts
• Perform sourcing activities for various professional services, such as General Contractors, Architect Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Cost Management, Project Management, and others.
• Develop sourcing and negotiation strategies to meet project objectives, in relation to the various contracts.
• Participate in supplier assessment and prepare contract award proposals.
• Contract Review and Compliance:
• Responsible for ensuring all contractual requirements are met according to the terms and conditions.
• Executes procurement contracting strategies for large, complex data center construction projects and/or purchasing opportunities to achieve optimal cost and continuity of supply and services.
• Serve as first line of defense/communication with site stakeholders on commercial issues.
• Execute project closeout requirements.
• Change Order Management:
• Lead Change Order negotiations with input from key stakeholders and detailed understanding of contractual conditions.
• Monitor and mitigate the impact of change orders and claims to the project, and partners cross-functionally to resolve/escalate accordingly.
• Attend change management meetings and report on open change orders as applicable.
• OFCI Management & Quality Assurance:
• Help facilitate equipment once delivered to site, including inspections and sign offs.
• Address quality-related issues as they arise and report as appropriate.
• Partner with Labor Planning team on Field Service Representative (FSR) constraints during Cx (Commissioning). Ensure GC schedules are coordinated with Vendor Labor constraints.
• Monitor vendor activity for timely Cx completion.
• Execution Coordination & Communication:
• Assume all post-award contract execution responsibilities.
• Own commercial decision making on all post-award activities through influencing project stakeholders.
• Identify potential challenges related to the project/contract and develop strategies to mitigate the risk and maintain compliance.
• Provide regular status reports on issues, risks and mitigations to leadership.
• Prepare contractual notices as appropriate using language from terms & conditions.
• Address and resolve any payment disputes submitted by suppliers.
• Help facilitate and engage as needed in negotiations with contractors and other parties to resolve disputes with regular updates to the client team.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to review the GC’s subcontractor procurement deliverables and final recommendation of subcontractor award for each trade package.
• Create and drive MIS reports and metrics of project for management awareness and action
• Stakeholder Collaboration
• Drives business engagement and partnership with cross-functional teams including Planning, Strategic Sourcing, Cost Management, Engineering, Quality, Construction and Project Managers.
• Drives commercial compliance and problem resolution with General Contractors, Subcontractors and Suppliers.
• Actively partners with suppliers to identify and drive continuous improvement and risk management opportunities by evaluating procedural, operational, and/or environmental factors, analyzing root causes of issues, sharing insights with key stakeholders, and influencing the adoption of needed improvements.
• Plan and manage the executive sponsor meeting with key stakeholders for the successful execution of the project.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 6+ years experience (including internships) in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations
• OR Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 4+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations
• OR equivalent experience.
• Understanding of the construction industry and contract language associated engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction/construction management (EPFC/CM)
• Proven experience in negotiating various types of large scale construction contracts through its lifecycle including BATNA and other methodologies in owners interest.
• Proven experience managing various contract types; Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), Stipulated Sum, Unit Rate Contracts, T&M, Incentive Fees, etc.
• At Microsoft, you will be working in an integrated fashion with colleagues around the world. To facilitate this collaboration, proficiency in verbal and written communication in both English and French is required for this role.
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 12+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations
• OR Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 8+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations
• OR equivalent experience.
• Hyperscale data center or large building construction experience in an owner or general contractor capacity
• Experience developing negotiating contract terms and conditions specifically for contracts related to services, construction, engineering, materials and equipment installation.
• Understanding of entire life cycle of contracting principles and legal terms and conditions
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously.
• Proficiency in contract