Land Development & Permitting Program Manager

Microsoft’s Cloud Infrastructure Acquisition (CIA) Land Development Organization is seeking a Land Development & Permitting Program Manager to support datacenter development across markets in the Southeastern United States.

The Microsoft datacenter development portfolio consists of complex, multi-disciplinary, large-scale, multi-year construction projects. The Land Development team plays a critical role in supporting the development and delivery of this portfolio - from site selection through entitlements, design, permitting, construction, and handover to operations.

In this role, you will coordinate across internal teams - including Environmental, Engineering & Design, Construction, Legal, Government Affairs, and Community Affairs - to ensure the delivery and pre-positioning of operation-ready datacenter sites. You will help drive the development and execution of Microsoft’s datacenter portfolio from site selection through entitlements, design, permitting, construction, and delivery.

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

• Manage the permitting and approvals process for a portfolio of datacenter projects across the region to enable timely development and construction.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments during due diligence, design, and construction phases to identify regulatory requirements and associated risks.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to align on project objectives, timelines, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage utility connections, construction agreements, and development contracts to support project execution.
• Oversee integrated project planning, ensuring coordination across land development, design, construction, operations, and environmental teams.
• Administer contracts and budgets throughout the datacenter development lifecycle.
• Communicate key risks, mitigations, and permitting policies to internal Microsoft stakeholders.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that address schedule delays and permitting challenges.
• Represent Microsoft in meetings with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), external stakeholders, and the public to facilitate project approvals.
• Own and manage strategic relationships with AHJs, government officials, and other key external stakeholders as the primary point of contact for permitting and pre-construction discussions.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of program tools and processes to streamline permitting, approvals, and entitlements.
• Educate project teams on permitting requirements to ensure compliance and timely approvals.
• Monitor and manage permit approval conditions to maintain regulatory compliance.
• Track and report on key metrics, including permitting and delivery timeline predictability.

Qualifications

Required Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Real Estate, Project Management, or related field, AND 3+ years relevant experience. OR 5+ years equivalent experience.

Other 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.

Preferred Qualification:

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Engineering, Construction, Urban Planning, Architecture, Land Use, Law, Real Estate or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience delivering large-scale and/or complex land development projects.
• Proven experience securing permits, planning approvals, and other entitlements for large-scale construction initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of projects, including associated budgets and schedules.
• Ability to build and maintain cross-functional relationships with internal teams and external partners such as environmental consultants, attorneys, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Mission critical design and/or construction experience.
• Experience in delivering projects in multiple jurisdictions.

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Real Estate Portfolio 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.