Construction Quality Lead

Microsoft Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the cloud. CO+I is responsible for delivering over 200 Microsoft web portals, Live and Online Services around the world including infrastructure, security and compliance, operations, globalization, and manageability. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide. We are looking for a passionate individual to help build the network that powers the world’s largest online services.    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.  A Microsoft Construction Quality Lead is responsible for governing the quality management system, auditing contractor quality performance, managing NCRs and quality metrics, identifying risks before they impact commissioning or operations, and ensuring data centers are delivered ready to perform—not just ready to complete.

Core Responsibilities of a Microsoft Construction Quality Lead   1. Drive Construction Quality from Day One Ensure facilities are built in accordance with design requirements, specifications, and Microsoft quality standards. Promote a "Right First Time" culture to reduce rework, delays, and operational risks.    2. Audit Contractor Quality Programs Verify General Contractors are executing their Quality Management System (QMS). Conduct routine quality audits, inspections, and field observations. Validate contractor compliance with Division 01 requirements, quality plans, inspection processes, and documentation requirements.    3. Manage NCRs and Quality Issues Initiate and manage Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs). Ensure corrective actions are developed, implemented, and verified. Escalate unresolved quality issues to project leadership. Trend recurring quality problems and drive systemic corrective actions.    4. Quality Management System Ownership Establish and maintain project quality plans. Review and align contractor quality plans before mobilization. Standardize quality processes across projects and campuses.    5. Inspection & Test Planning Governance Govern Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs). Define hold points, quality gates, and documentation requirements. Ensure Installer Verification Checklists (IVCs) and readiness requirements are met before commissioning milestones.    6. Digital Quality Platform Management Administer quality tracking systems (Nexus/ACMS). Monitor issue closure timelines and SLA performance. Produce dashboards and quality metrics for leadership visibility.    7. Field Quality Assurance Perform field inspections and observations. Monitor workmanship trends and installation quality. Verify contractors are following approved procedures and specifications. Provide early identification of risks that could impact commissioning, IST, or turnover.    8. Readiness and Turnover Support Support energization and commissioning readiness reviews. Ensure documentation, inspections, punch lists, and quality issues are appropriately closed prior to turnover. Partner with Commissioning Managers and Operations to improve startup outcomes.    9. Continuous Improvement Analyze trends across campuses and metros. Capture lessons learned. Recommend process improvements that improve quality performance and reduce recurrence of defects.    10. Contractor Accountability Hold GCs accountable for their QA/QC responsibilities. Monitor closure performance and response times. Reinforce that