Site Acquisition Manager

Microsoft Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers Microsoft’s cloud services and our team is focused on delivering high quality infrastructure to support cloud operations. As Microsoft’s Cloud business continues to mature, our infrastructure expansion accelerates, and datacenters are central to this growth. To support this, the acquisition and development of our owned, designed and constructed Data Centre (DC) facilities will scale to meet the demands of our customers, while we also continue to lease and acquire DC capacity at pace, particularly in our high growth markets, working closely with datacenter operators in each region, and across the Globe.

As part of our cloud strategy, Microsoft is highly focused on delivering and operating high quality DC’s through our build program and working closely with our third-party strategic partners (lessors) to grow our cloud at scale and pace. Our leased portfolio represents a significant part of our data centre portfolio and the leasing team are accountable for making sure we can grow in all regions globally, within the required timelines. The team is focused on key markets, understanding the supply and demand for each location, developing optionality as we grow rapidly in both new and existing markets, creating clear business strategies, aligning our land and lease portfolio, always making sure we can deliver high quality DC’s both now and, in the future, to tie to our customer growth. We are responsible for the development and ownership of key strategic partnerships with lessors, working collaboratively to ensure we deliver contracted capacity safely and effectively, on time and within budget.

The role of the Site Acquisition Manager is a unique individual contributor role, working together with our Site Acquisition team to support the delivery of a strong, reliable leased portfolio, to support our Global Cloud. The role will be involved in all leasing activities, by helping with strategic purchasing opportunities, negotiating highly complex lease structures, including colocation, build to suit and flexible growth models, contract amendments, completion of post lease/contract paperwork, ownership of contract expansions in stabilized markets, and building new partnerships within the region. The successful candidate will be involved in multiple, complex, high profile regions, becoming an expert in key areas of our business, to ensure efficient and seamless delivery.

• Developing strong relationships with c-suite executives internally and with key lessors within the region to ensure high levels of professionalism in their delivery and operation, in line with Microsoft’s best practices.
• Leasing and acquiring data centre capacity, including options for future growth.
• Performing analytics and conducting market research on targeted metros/regions to enable fast decision-making and quick take-up of needed capacity.
• Developing acquisition opportunities, negotiating commercial terms, and constructing/negotiating complex lease agreements, including new colocation leases, renewals, and amendments.
• Creating new ways of working, including flexible models that allow optionality and time-to-market delivery to meet customer demand.
• Developing strategy documents to reflect long-term regional design and drive the business in the same direction.
• Preparing and presenting periodic presentations to obtain leadership approval as needed.
• Working closely with regional supply, engineering, construction, legal, security, networking, and operations teams throughout each project and transaction sequence.
• Supporting the site acquisition team on all lease transactions, including specialized bespoke projects, upgrades, and amendments as needed.
• Assisting with site selection process and strategy development across the region.
• Developing a strong knowledge of the assigned regions/metro, understanding market dynamics, and supporting the region to ensure success.
• Driving and supporting commercial and legal negotiations with partners in assigned regions/metro.
• Supporting multiple lease projects within critical timelines, working closely with internal teams, consultants, vendors, and external stakeholders.
• Building and developing new partnerships in existing and new regions.
• Aligning with internal stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of activities to ensure regional success.
• Ensuring data integrity in supply planning and execution systems related to infrastructure supply options, including cost, capacity, key dates, and contractual terms.
• Developing and overseeing the implementation of continual process improvement initiatives related to operational efficiency, team effectiveness, and new value-added initiatives.
• Developing processes and procedures to streamline the delivery of multiple contracts across the team, creating single points of communication and focus to improve delivery timescales.
• Working with internal law and corporate affairs personnel to drive successful contracts.
• portfolio management or real estate experience
  • OR bachelor’s degree or degree equivalent in Business Management, Real Estate, Project Management, or related field AND portfolio management, real estate, or office management experience
  • OR equivalent experience

While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Data Center lease agreements, site selection for industrial-scale projects, real estate evaluation, acquisition, development, construction, general awareness of utility agreements, sustainable practices, and financial modeling.
• Knowledge of the Data Center industry, operators in region and market dynamics is preferred.
• Experience in leading complex negotiations, contract formation, and contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of real estate and mission critical environments, such as Data Centers.
• A general background in real estate development and land acquisition is a plus – with an understanding of local laws, permitting, etc.
• General understanding of hybrid real estate solutions such as Build-to-suit, Retail, and Wholesale leases (Data Center a plus).
• Limited travel in the EMEA region as needed (less than 25%).

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.

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. 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.

• The ideal candidate will have experience working in a team environment delivering multiple leasing projects simultaneously and a strong support for the team
• Strong co-ordination experience and ideally some knowledge of negotiating lease in a fast-paced environment
• Strong reporting acumen to ensure the strategy is outlined clearly and effectively

The candidate must also be able to converse with finance, operations, security, and networking representatives to prepare business cases and deal summaries – and present those to senior staff for approval, prior to routing executable documents.

#COICareers

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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