Operations Program Manager

Overview The Global Brand & Advertising team at Microsoft is building a modern operations organization to support high-impact brand and campaign work at global scale. The Operations Program Manager supports the operating system that enables this work. The role partners with the Operational Strategy Lead, Workflow & Traffic Lead, and Platform & AI Lead to keep programs moving, surface risks, and bring structure to day-to-day execution. This role reports to the Director of Operations. Technology, priorities, and ways of working are shifting quickly in this space. We are looking for an adaptable problem solver who is curious by nature, comfortable navigating ambiguity, and able to take an early‑stage idea and move it into execution without waiting for every detail to be defined. This is a hands‑on coordination role for someone energized by figuring things out, learning how a complex creative organization runs, and growing into a broader program management career at Microsoft. 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 Program Planning and Design Assist in researching how work flows across the Brand & Advertising organization, including intake patterns, demand signals, and stakeholder needs, to help inform program scope and priorities. Help identify opportunities to improve existing programs and stand up new ones, including intake, prioritization, capacity planning, AI pilots, and reporting rhythms. Assist in defining program requirements, identifying resource needs, and building project plans that align cross‑functional teams (Campaigns, Strategy, Design, Copy, Production, Platforms/Web) on a shared plan of record. Learn to define success criteria and performance metrics (OKRs, KPIs) such as on‑time delivery, capacity utilization, and intake quality. Program Excellence and Execution Help define and execute landing and communication plans for new processes and tools, including target audiences, rollout sequencing, and adoption messaging. Maintain the rhythm of business across operations workstreams, ensuring participants and stakeholders are communicating on the necessary cadence with oversight from senior leaders. Work across teams to ensure program requirements are understood and met. Help evangelize operations programs to partners across the organization, using data and performance metrics to demonstrate value and gain buy‑in for new ways of working. Business Program Management Contribute to program plans across operations workstreams, including timelines, milestones, financial tracking, performance metrics, and resource needs. Communicate program status to stakeholders and hold them accountable to schedules, risk mitigation plans, and intake standards, providing early visibility into risks and delays. Help Strategy, Creative, Design, Production, and Platforms execute program processes rigorously and efficiently across the operations ecosystem (Workfront, Brand Central, Campaign DAM, Brand Guidance Agent). Support PO and MUP tracking, vendor onboarding logistics, and budget visibility in partnership with the Operational Strategy Lead. Business Program Evaluation and Improvement Help run regular review rhythms (weekly status, monthly business reviews) to identify what is working, where work is stuck, and where the operating model needs adjustment. Help the Global brand & Advertising organization collect and evaluate performance metrics across operations, including capacity utilization, intake quality, on‑time delivery, AI pilot adoption, and stakeholder feedback. Assist senior team members in turning data into insights that surface risks and improvement opportunities and help capture lessons learned to streamline future work. Help develop the enablement materials, training, and documentation required to drive adoption of new programs, tools, and ways of working across the organization. Skills Business Intelligence (BI) Business Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Financial Analysis Operational Excellence Persuasion/Storytelling Qualifications Required/Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 4+ years experience in program management, process management, or process improvement OR equivalent experience. Additional or Preferred Qualifications Master’s Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 6+ years experience in program management, process management, or process improvement OR Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 8+ years experience in program management, process management, or process improvement OR equivalent experience. Experience working in a fast‑changing environment, with the ability to adjust quickly as technology, priorities, and ways of working evolve. Curious by nature, with a problem‑solver’s mindset and a habit of asking questions, digging into root causes, and proposing practical solutions. Comfortable operating in ambiguity, able to take an early‑stage idea or rough direction and move it forward into a clear plan and concrete next steps. Experience supporting creative, marketing, or campaign operations in a fast‑paced, multi‑stakeholder environment. Experience with workflow and project management platforms (e.g., Workfront, Asana, Jira, Smartsheet) and digital asset management systems. Experience working with AI‑enabled tools and an interest in helping teams adopt new technology. Experience managing multiple concurrent workstreams. Business Program 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: 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr