Circular Center Program Manager

Overview

Microsoft Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the cloud. The Circular Center operates within the datacenter environment as a critical component of CO+I, enabling secure, compliant, and sustainable management of cloud hardware across its lifecycle. Embedded on or adjacent to datacenter campuses, Circular Centers process decommissioned servers and network equipment by securely handling data‑bearing devices (DBDs), harvesting reusable components, and routing materials for reuse or recycling to maximize value recovery. By integrating tightly with datacenter operations, supply chain systems, and sustainability programs, the Circular Center strengthens supply chain resilience, reduces waste, and advances circular economy outcomes across Microsoft's global cloud footprint.

The Circular Center Program Manager provides leadership, ownership, and accountability for end‑to‑end program execution across safety, compliance, sustainability, security, and value recovery objectives. This role oversees high‑volume IT asset disposition, reuse, recycling, and reverse logistics workflows within an active datacenter environment. The position requires advanced operational rigor, cross‑functional influence, and data‑driven decision‑making to ensure secure processing of hardware while optimizing throughput, capacity, and cost efficiency.

You will define and manage program roadmaps, milestones, dependencies, and delivery timelines aligned to campus and regional growth. You will coordinate across datacenter operations, logistics, engineering, sustainability teams, and external vendors to ensure seamless handoffs between decommissioning, transport, and Circular Center processing. Success in this role requires executive‑level communication, proactive risk mitigation, and the ability to influence without direct authority to resolve conflicts and unblock execution in a fast‑moving hyperscale environment.

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. In CO+I, we operate with a growth mindset, innovate to improve sustainability and operational performance, and build a culture grounded in respect, integrity, accountability, and inclusion. The Circular Center Program Manager embodies these values by driving safe operations, trusted compliance, and measurable impact across the global cloud lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Ensures compliance with data center business units and service-level policies.
• Follows and adheres to safety and security policies and procedures. Reports immediately any safety or security issues or concerns.
• Own end‑to‑end program execution for Circular Center operations aligned to safety, compliance, sustainability, and value recovery goals.
• Define and manage program roadmaps, milestones, dependencies, and delivery timelines.
• Drive execution of high‑volume IT asset disposition, reuse, recycling, and reverse supply chain workflows.
• Ensure secure handling, tracking, and destruction of data‑bearing devices (DBDs) in compliance with Microsoft security standards.
• Partner with site operations to optimize throughput, capacity, and processing efficiency.
• Monitor operational performance metrics and report progress, risks, and outcomes to leadership.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, safety, compliance, and delivery risks.
• Coordinate cross‑functional stakeholders across datacenter operations, supply chain, sustainability, engineering, and vendors.
• Lead change management efforts for new processes, tooling, shift models, or facility expansions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across Circular Center workflows and systems.
• Manage dependencies and handoffs between decommissioning teams, logistics, and the Circular Center.
• Maintain audit readiness and support internal and external compliance reviews.
• Prepare executive‑level updates, business reviews, and decision briefs.
• Influence without authority to align priorities, resolve conflicts, and unblock execution.
• Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High School Qualification or equivalent AND 2+ years experience supporting IT equipment or related technology or delivering server and network deployment projects in large-scale environments OR equivalent experience

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 position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years experience leading complex, cross‑functional programs spanning operations, supply chain, sustainability, and engineering in a data center or large‑scale industrial environment.

• Background in supply chain, logistics, sustainability, engineering, or data center operations.

• Experience working with enterprise systems such as Dynamics 365, Power BI, Power Apps, and workflow automation tools to manage operations and reporting.

• Working knowledge of circular economy principles, IT asset disposition (ITAD), reuse, recycling, and value‑recovery strategies within enterprise environments.

Data Center Operations Management IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $84,400 - $168,800 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 $118,800 - $186,600 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

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.