Construction Contracts Lead

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the cloud. Weare 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 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 looking for a Construction Contracts Lead on our Supply Execution Chain team to lead a program of build projects in Phoenix, AZ.

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.

Responsibilities:

As a Construction Contracts 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 professionals, 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.

Procurement and Contracts

• Project Procurement:

• Perform sourcing activities for various professional services, such as General Contractors (GC), Architect Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Cost Management, Project Management, and others.

• Develop sourcing and negotiation strategies to meet project objectives , in relation to the contract

• Participate in supplier assessment and prepare contract award proposals .

• Contract Review and Compliance:

• Responsible for ensuring all contractual requirements a re 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 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.

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.
• Embody our Culture and Values

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 5+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Experience in contract management, preferably in construction, real estate, or infrastructure projects.
• Understanding of the construction industry and contract language associated engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction/construction management (EPFC/CM)
• Experience in negotiating various types of large scale construction contracts through its lifecycle including BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) and other methodologies in owners interest.
• Experience managing various contract types; Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), Stipulated Sum, Unit Rate Contracts, Time & Materials, Incentive Fees.

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 every two years thereafter.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor'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 Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 7+ 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
• Proficient communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously.
• Proficiency in contract management software and tools.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver results.

Sourcing and Category Management IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $115,000 - $200,300 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 $146,200 - $219,200 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until August 28, 2024.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form .

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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