Overview
The Datacenter Community Affairs team is part of Microsoft's Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) organization. It supports the growth and operations of Microsoft's cloud infrastructure by managing relationships with local communities, developing engagement strategies, and addressing social impact, risks, and opportunities. The team drives community investment programs and stakeholder engagement efforts in regions where Microsoft builds and operates datacenters, helping to ensure projects are delivered in alignment with our Community First Infrastructure commitments. In alignment with Microsoft's values, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees can do their best work while strengthening the communities we serve.
Within this team, the Event Readiness Program Manager plays a critical role in strengthening how we plan and execute community and stakeholder-facing events across the AMERS region. This role is responsible for building and operationalizing a standardized event readiness program that ensures events are safe, well-coordinated, and executed with consistency and rigor. The role leads structured readiness reviews, risk identification, and mitigation planning, enabling teams to proactively manage safety, security, and operational considerations.
The Event Readiness Program Manager partners closely with Community Affairs, Global Security, CELA, and other cross-functional stakeholders to drive alignment, establish governance rhythms, and provide clear visibility into event readiness and risk. This individual helps ensure that every engagement reflects Microsoft's commitment to safety, operational excellence, and community trust and enabling teams to deliver events safely, efficiently, and at scale.
Responsibilities
Drives end-to-end event safety readiness by establishing and executing structured review processes, ensuring all events meet defined safety, security, and operational standards prior to execution in partnership with Global Security and other subject matter experts who provide threat assessments and domain expertise
Leads cross-functional alignment across Global Security, CO+I, and CELA teams to ensure shared understanding of requirements, risks, and readiness decisions
Identifies, tracks, and communicates risk by synthesizing inputs from Global Security and other stakeholders into clear, actionable insights for leadership and event teams
Establishes and scales governance rhythms (e.g., readiness reviews, checkpoints, escalation paths) and repeatable processes to enable consistent, high-quality decision-making across events and regions
Identifies, assesses, and communicates risk by synthesizing input from multiple stakeholders into clear, actionable insights for leadership and event teams
Manages program execution and timelines by proactively identifying dependencies, resolving blockers, and ensuring readiness milestones are achieved
Provides clear reporting on readiness status, risks, and mitigation plans to support informed decision-making
Serves as a central point of coordination for event readiness, driving accountability across stakeholders and ensuring alignment through execution
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
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:
While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:
Masters Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 6+ years experience in program management, process management, or process improvement
OR Bachelors Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 8+ years experience in program management, process management, or process improvement
OR equivalent experience.
Experience in safety, security, event operations, or risk management
Experience supporting external-facing or high-visibility events
Familiarity with governance frameworks, compliance, or readiness processes
Proven ability to drive alignment and accountability across diverse stakeholder groups
Strong communication skills with ability to translate complex risks into clear insights
Experience managing timelines, risks, and dependencies across multiple workstreams
Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Business Program Management IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $97,600 - $188,400 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 $125,000 - $206,400 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.