Principal Program Manager - Cloud Planning

Job ID: 200055483Posted: 2026-09-21Location: United States, Washington, RedmondSalary: USD $142,800 - $274,800 per yearEmployment type: Full-TimeWork site: 3 days / week in-officeRole type: Individual ContributorTravel: Less than 25%Profession: Program ManagementDiscipline: Technical Program ManagementCompany: MicrosoftOverviewMicrosoft’s Cloud business is expanding, and the Cloud Supply Chain (CSCP) organization is responsible for enabling the hardware infrastructure underlying this growth including AI! CSCP’s vision is to empower customers to achieve more by delivering Cloud and AI capabilities at scale. Our mission is to deliver the world's computer with an industry-leading supply chain. The CSCP organization is responsible for traditional supply chain functions such as plan, source, make, deliver, but also manages supportability (spares), sustainability, and decommissioning of datacenter assets worldwide. We deliver the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's over 200 online businesses including Bing, MSN, Office 365, Xbox Live, OneDrive and the Microsoft Azure platform for external customers. Our infrastructure is supported by more than 300 datacenters around the world that enable services for more than 1 billion customers in over 90 countries.Microsoft Cloud Planning (MCP) is the central planning function within CSCP focused on forecasting, demand planning, and supply planning for all Microsoft Cloud services and associated hardware, directly impacting the success of Microsoft's cloud business.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.#CSCP #CSCPJobs #CSCPHiringNowResponsibilitiesCloud Capacity buffer planning - Strategic leadership & executive alignmentLead cloud capacity buffer planning at a strategic level by framing tradeoffs, scenarios, and implications for senior leadership. Drive executive level alignment on buffer strategy, priorities, and decisions, serving as a trusted advisor to Capacity Planning, Capacity Management, Engineering Group, Finance, and Data Science leadership.Buffer Target Planning & Optimization Own and lead monthly planning cycles to generate optimal cloud capacity buffer targets by orchestrating scenario simulations and data analytics, building strategic and operational alignment with key stakeholders and leadership. Deploy changes to improve cloud capacity buffer plans with accountability.Buffer planning transformation & operating model evolutionDefine and drive the long term roadmap for cloud capacity buffer planning transformation, including planning processes, models, and operating mechanisms. Anticipate future business complexity and scale requirements, and proactively evolve the cloud capacity buffer planning operating model to remain resilient and fit for purpose.Enterprise risk & opportunity managementIdentify, assess, and communicate systemic capacity and buffer related risks and opportunities across the business. Lead the development of strategic mitigation plans and investment recommendations to address structural risks, rather than point in time issues.Cross functional strategy & influenceEstablish strong partnerships with senior leaders across Capacity Planning, Capacity Management, Engineering Group, Finance, and Data Science to align on shared goals and strategic outcomes. Influence direction with and without direct authority, resolving competing priorities and driving enterprise wide outcomes.Advanced model & analytics stewardshipProvide strategic oversight and direction for cloud capacity buffer planning models and analytics. Partner with Data Science and Engineering to guide model evolution, ensuring robustness, scalability, transparency, and alignment with long term business strategy.Metrics, insights & business accountabilityDefine the north star metrics and success criteria for buffer effectiveness at an enterprise level. Ensure insights are translated into clear actions and decisions, and hold the organization accountable for outcomes related to buffering performance.Executive decision support & thought leadershipServe as the primary thought leader for cloud capacity buffer strategy, providing forward looking insights, scenario analyses, and recommendations to executives. Shape decisions through clear narratives that connect data, strategy, and business impact.QualificationsRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's Degree AND 6+ years of experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.3+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.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:Proven scientific modeling and decision science expertiseExperience developing quantitative models (e.g. Python, R) to address complex business challenges.Proven analytics and data fluencyDeep experience with data analysis and visualization (e.g. SQL, Python, R, Power BI) and the ability to turn complex analysis into clear insights for leadership decisions.Enterprise-scale program leadershipProven ability to lead complex, cross functional programs with multiple workstreams, setting direction and driving outcomes in ambiguous environments.Financial and investment understandingExperience working with Finance to assess CapEx impacts, tradeoffs, and investment decisions, and clearly explain financial implications of planning choices.Executive-level communication and influenceProven ability to communicate with senior leaders, clearly explaining tradeoffs, recommendations, and risks, and influencing decisions with or without direct authority.Comfort operating in ambiguityDemonstrated ability to create clarity, set direction, and move work forward in fast-changing, highly ambiguous situations.Cross-functional leadership mindsetTrack record of building trusted partnerships across planning, engineering, finance, and data science to drive enterprise level outcomes.Technical Program Management IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: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.