Integrated Lease Delivery Lead - Middle East and Africa

We are seeking an experienced leader to head the Middle East and Africa sub-region within the Integrated Lease Delivery (ILD) team in Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I). Leading a diverse, high-performing team, the ILD Sub-Region Lead is responsible for delivering leased datacenter capacity across the region while fostering a safe, inclusive, and accountable culture. The role champions Microsoft’s standards for health and safety, quality, ethics, and inclusion, while driving collaboration, continuous improvement, and excellence in execution. 

Working closely with design, physical security, commissioning, and operations teams, the Sub-Region Lead ensures the safe delivery of world-class datacenter projects and alignment with business demand and organizational priorities. As the single accountable leader for the sub-region, they provide end-to-end program leadership from deal execution through Ready for Service, Ready for Network Install, and operational handover, integrating delivery, technical, commercial, operational, safety, and project controls into a unified program strategy. 

Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) team is the engine that powers our cloud services. Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than one hundred datacenters and one million servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts, who work tirelessly to support digital services for more than one billion customers and twenty million businesses in over ninety countries worldwide. 

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. 

• Provide clear leadership and direction to drive high performance, quality, and accountability across the EMEA delivery programme. 

• Partner with the EMEA ILD Regional Director and Sub-Regional ILD leaders to translate global, regional, and metro strategies into local objectives, operating processes, vendor plans, and cross-functional priorities. 

• Coordinate Microsoft requirements, resources, and schedules with lessors, contractors, vendors, and suppliers to ensure the timely handover of datacenter facilities and capacity to Operations. 

• Build, develop, and align a diverse team of ILD professionals and vendor resources to regional demand, workload, and delivery commitments, with clear opportunities for learning and growth. 

• Establish clear regional and project objectives, commitments, and performance targets across safety, quality, schedule, and cost. 

• Partner with programme stakeholders and datacenter operations teams to maintain alignment, business continuity, and delivery success, while communicating and escalating risks, challenges, and issues to leadership as required. 

• Champion safe worksites through Microsoft’s High Risk Activity programme and collaboration with Construction Project Management and General Contractor teams to improve trade coordination, site integration, and safe working practices. 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Architecture, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience. 

• Proven ability to lead complex infrastructure, construction, or datacenter programs from planning through operational handover. 

• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 

• Strong cross-functional leadership, collaboration, and influencing skills across diverse teams and organizations. 

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

• Hyperscale datacenter, mission-critical, or large-scale infrastructure delivery experience. 

• Knowledge of project controls, schedule management, commissioning, operational readiness, and facility turnover processes. 

Background Check 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.

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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.