Metro Cost Lead

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.  Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO&I) is the team behind the cloud. Within CO&I, the Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) organization is responsible for delivering core Data Center infrastructure for Microsoft’s cloud business. The MS portfolio consists of complex, multi-disciplinary, large scale, multi-year Data Center construction projects. We are looking for a passionate, high-energy individual to help build the cloud Data Centers that power the world’s largest online services. To help us achieve our objectives, growth, and transformation, we are looking for a Metro Cost Lead for  Sydney, Australia to work alongside the Metro Construction Director to commercially manage all Data Center construction projects. Being part of this team would give you an opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing business and enable regional impact. 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.   This role is a field-based role for the Sydney metro . 100% on-site role - this role is  not eligible for hybrid or remote work.

Cost Governance, Forecasting & Portfolio Commercial Management:  Own and maintain project and metro-level Budget at Completion (BAC), Estimate at Completion (EAC), and cashflow forecasts, ensuring alignment with approved funding and business objectives. Lead monthly cost reviews with project teams, Cost Management consultants, Project Controls and key stakeholders to validate forecast accuracy, risks and opportunities. Provide commercial oversight and governance of project contingency, including review of contingency drawdowns, change trends and forecasted exposure. Provide the PER (funding) team all commercial support necessary to ascertain the required timing of the funding intervals and all commercial information needed to back up these funding requests to management. This will normally involve the production of multiple option cost scenarios.  Establish and maintain benchmark data across the metro portfolio, utilizing historical project performance to challenge costs, improve estimate quality and drive consistency. Lead commercial risk identification and assessment throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring risks are quantified, tracked and reflected within project forecasts where appropriate. Lead commercial governance of project change management, ensuring proposed changes are appropriately evaluated, challenged, approved and incorporated into project forecasts and funding requirements. Review and recommend approval of pay applications, invoices and all vendor payment requests in accordance with Microsoft governance requirements. Partner with Cost Management firm, GC and Project Controls to ensure cost reporting, commitments, accruals, forecasts and cashflow projections are accurate, timely and aligned with corporate reporting requirements. Capture and apply lessons learned from completed projects to improve future estimating, procurement strategies, cost controls and commercial outcomes across the metro portfolio. Deep understanding of the commercial management of the General Contractor (GC) from liaison with our procurement office on the Request for Proposal (RFP) documents through to the final payments and agreement of the final accounts and paperwork. This will also include:  Provide on-location commercial management to the projects to ensure that Microsoft is financially and contractually protected. Lead cost planning, estimate validation and scenario