Land Development Metro Lead

Microsoft is looking for a Land Development Metro Lead to have a key role in coordinating across internal teams (e.g. Environment, Engineering and Design, Construction, Government Affairs, Community Engagement etc.) to ensure delivery of operation-ready data centre sites. They will support the development and execution of permitting strategies for the lifecycle delivery of datacentre development and will be a key contributor in the execution of comprehensive permitting programs and to the Microsoft pre-construction program. The MS datacentre development portfolio consists of complex, multi-disciplinary, large scale, multi-year datacentre construction and lease projects. The Microsoft Datacentre Land Development team supports the development and delivery of Microsoft’s datacentre portfolio from site selection through design, construction and handover to operations. Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a CO+I Energy and Environmental Program Manager, you will perform a key role in delivering the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's online services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform. As a group, CO+I is focused on the personal and professional development of all employees and offers trainings and opportunities including Career Rotation Programs, Diversity & Inclusion trainings and events, and professional certifications.   Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 200 datacenters in 32 countries and millions of servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.   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.

Responsibilities: Lead permitting, approvals, and development activities for new data centre projects across the EMEA region. Manage permitting strategy, due diligence, risk assessment, and engagement with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). Negotiate development agreements, support site seller negotiations, and oversee land development budgets through project stage gates and into construction. Represent Microsoft with AHJs, regulatory agencies, politicians, and other external stakeholders to facilitate project development. Coordinate infrastructure, utility easements, water connections, and other requirements with internal and external partners. Provide project progress and risk reporting, identify solutions to expedite approvals, and support permit handover and ongoing compliance.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction, Real Estate, Urban Planning or equivalent area; Substantial experience in real estate or infrastructure project development; Experience delivering zoning, permits, planning and other development approvals for large scale and/or complex construction projects;   Experience managing a portfolio of projects and associated deliverables, budgets and schedules 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