Metro Construction Quality Leader

Overview Microsoft Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the cloud. CO+I is 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 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. 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. A Microsoft Construction Quality Leader is responsible for governing the quality management system, auditing contractor quality performance, managing NCRs and quality metrics, identifying risks before they impact commissioning or operations, and ensuring data centers are delivered ready to perform—not just ready to complete.

Responsibilities Core Responsibilities of a Microsoft Construction Quality Leader

1. Drive Construction Quality from Day One

• Ensure facilities are built in accordance with design requirements, specifications, and Microsoft quality standards.
• Promote a "Right First Time" culture to reduce rework, delays, and operational risks.

1. Audit Contractor Quality Programs

• Verify General Contractors are executing their Quality Management System (QMS).
• Conduct routine quality audits, inspections, and field observations.
• Validate contractor compliance with Division 01 requirements, quality plans, inspection processes, and documentation requirements.

1. Manage NCRs and Quality Issues

• Initiate and manage Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).
• Ensure corrective actions are developed, implemented, and verified.
• Escalate unresolved quality issues to project leadership.
• Trend recurring quality problems and drive systemic corrective actions.

1. Quality Management System Ownership

• Establish and maintain project quality plans.
• Review and align contractor quality plans before mobilization.
• Standardize quality processes across projects and campuses.

1. Inspection & Test Planning Governance

• Govern Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs).
• Define hold points, quality gates, and documentation requirements.
• Ensure Installer Verification Checklists (IVCs) and readiness requirements are met before commissioning milestones.

1. Digital Quality Platform Management

• Administer quality tracking systems (Nexus/ACMS).
• Monitor issue closure timelines and SLA performance.
• Produce dashboards and quality metrics for leadership visibility.

1. Field Quality Assurance

• Perform field inspections and observations.
• Monitor workmanship trends and installation quality.
• Verify contractors are following approved procedures and specifications.
• Provide early identification of risks that could impact commissioning, IST, or turnover.

1. Readiness and Turnover Support

• Support energization and commissioning readiness reviews.
• Ensure documentation, inspections, punch lists, and quality issues are appropriately closed prior to turnover.
• Partner with Commissioning Managers and Operations to improve startup outcomes.

1. Continuous Improvement

• Analyze trends across campuses and metros.
• Capture lessons learned.
• Recommend process improvements that improve quality performance and reduce recurrence of defects.

1. Contractor Accountability

• Hold GCs accountable for their QA/QC responsibilities.
• Monitor closure performance and response times.
• Reinforce that workmanship quality remains the responsibility of the contractor. Microsoft Quality provides oversight and assurance.

Qualifications Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Project Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years related experience OR equivalent experience.

• Experience leading construction QA/QC, quality management, inspection governance, defect management, or non-conformance management on large-scale construction, industrial, mission-critical, or data centre projects.

• Experience working with quality plans, ITPs/ITRs, inspection and test records, construction documentation, and project turnover requirements.

• Experience working on data center or construction experience

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 in Construction Project Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years related experience OR equivalent experience.

• 7+ years experience working on data center projects.

• Proficient in data analytics, reporting, and construction management tools such as Power BI, Procore, Cx Software, Bluebeam, and BIM with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Detail-oriented with strong knowledge of construction specifications, quality standards, and installation compliance requirements.

• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, DMAIC, Six Sigma, and change management.

• Experience applying structured problem-solving tools such as RCA, FMEA, 8D, and CAPA.

• Knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, quality auditing, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) principles.

• Experience developing, implementing, and managing structured quality management systems.

• Professional quality certifications preferred, including USACE CQM, OSHA 30, ASQ CQE, CQA, CMQ/OE, Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, or equivalent.

• Experience in data center, mission-critical, industrial, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, power, or oil & gas construction environments preferred.

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Construction Project Management IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $97,600 - $188,400 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 $125,000 - $206,400 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.