If you love the pursuit of excellence and are inspired by the challenges that come through driving innovations that impact how the world lives, works and plays, then we invite you to learn more about Microsoft Operations - and the value we deliver across Microsoft and to our customers and partners. We offer unique opportunities to work on interesting global projects in an environment that appreciates diversity, focuses on talent development, and recognizes and rewards great work.

We have a great team in Planning & Launch and are missing just ONE more team member!  Part of Microsoft Operations, this role is part of a fast-paced, results oriented group that interacts across the company to ensure our Launches are truly operationalized with control, compliance, and customer focus. Our role provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the many aspects of Microsoft as we offer unique opportunities to work on interesting global projects in an environment that appreciates diversity, focuses on talent development, and recognizes and rewards great work.

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Position Description:

The Planning and Launch team is looking for a highly motivated individual to manage the launch of initiatives across the Search, Advertising, and News (SAN) business, allowing us to best serve our Customers and Partners.  As a  Planning and Launch Project Manager, you’ll take pride in delivering impactful, on-time initiatives. You detect risks and mitigate them like a super-hero…and, you have a sense of humor! This position is responsible for leading across all facets of launch from the creation of project plans to the final execution. The experienced individual will build strong relationships with clients and counterparts and lead relevant discussions to operationalize the work that directly impacts the SAN business vision and strategy. Once impacts are assessed and plans are built, this role will lead a launch team leveraging the Operations Delivery Lifecycle (ODLC) to bring these changes to market, tracking risks/issues, and ultimately ensuring excellence in delivery.

In addition to ensuring launch readiness execution, this role will be key in supporting the discipline of launch through artifact authoring and management.  Also, in partnership with the broader launch community, this role would need to identify and execute process improvements, and the documentation of its roll-out to the broader organization.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

Represent Operations globally by deploying new & enhanced projects to successfully support process in both existing and new areas.

Run project launch teams as needed, facilitating effective meetings and driving key decisions with stakeholders in order to ensure a solid Plan of Record

Responsible for the coordination of people and processes to ensure that launches are delivered on time and produce the desired results.

Responsible for project management across the core team to drive the execution of the deliverables for each task within each stage of the ODLC, including but not limited to:

Manage the development of the scope and objectives of the launch

Detailed project plan at the task level for all stages of the ODLC

Accountable for the creation and maintenance of all ODLC artifacts

Ensuring the core team has the resourcing needed to execute the launch

Utilizing change management process to manage all project changes after POR lock

Provide status reporting and escalations to governance body as needed

Management of signoffs through governance body

Manage the relationships with all core team and extended team members

Measure project performance

Perform risk assessment to minimize project risks

Responsible for ensuring all artifacts are comprehensive and complete

Responsible for communicating change requests and tollgate decisions needed to Portfolio planner for governance body decisions in a timely manner

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

·        3+ years of program or project management experience (working experience preferably in advertising space)

·        Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business

·        Initiative & drive; must possess strong desire for continuously improve, processes & deliver against agreed objectives

·        Ability to manage short-, medium-, and long-term planning horizons concurrently

·        Excellent conceptualization and analytical skills enabling comprehension and development of complex business issues

·        Ability to work under and deliver to continual deadline constraints is essential

·        Proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels across the organization is essential

·        Strong negotiation skills with an ability to impact and influence at senior level

Competencies:

·        Project Management

·        Strategic Insight

·        Cross Group Collaboration

·        Communication Skills

·        Analytical problem solving

·        Confidence

·        Global Insight

·        Global Process Management

·        Impact & Influence

·        Interpersonal awareness

Preferred Qualifications:

·        PMP is a plus

·        MBA is a plus

MSOPS:

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.