The Datacenter Community Affairs team is part of Microsoft’s datacenter organization – Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I). It supports the growth and operations of Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure by managing relationships with local communities, bringing insights and understanding of potential new communities, developing a local community engagement strategy to effectively manage social impact, risks, and opportunities. It also develops a community investment strategy, including social and environmental programs, in communities that host our datacenters.  

We are looking for a Senior Community Affairs Manager with a track record in communications, research, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community engagement to support the evolution of the datacenter community affairs strategy in the United States. The individual in this role will be responsible for communication, community engagement, community development, and research initiatives to create and implement community strategy plans in Southern Virginia, North Carolina and other communities as needed.

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

• Act as a primary point of contact between the local community and Microsoft’s datacenters. 

• Coordinate qualitative (e.g. community listening sessions) and quantitative data collection, and turn that research data into actionable insights to understand and prioritize community needs, as well as identify social risks and opportunities 

• Use research findings and exercise thought leadership to develop location-specific community strategy that delivers on Microsoft’s mission and vision, including: 

• Immediate corrective and preventive action recommendations, identifying key internal stakeholders (like Land Development or Construction) to implement these recommendations 

• Local community communication plan, sharing knowledge of the crucial role of datacenters, as well as the impactful and meaningful projects Microsoft supports.  

• Local social impact investment plan aligned to community needs and are self-sustaining. 

• Lead strategic engagements with local community groups such as municipal leaders and community based non-profit organizations to adopt Microsoft community initiatives into their core focus. 

• Collaborate with the global functional team to localize and implement our community research methodology, community communications priorities, as well as community development initiatives in each community. 

• Coordinate activities with a broad set of CO+I stakeholders, including Land development, Research, Construction, Permitting, Engineering and Design, Energy, Government Affairs, End to End, and Operations teams as well as with local Microsoft teams. 

• Measure impact mapped to the global Community Affairs scorecard and deliver a regular cadence of program updates to Community Affairs leadership team. 

• Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Operations, Finance or related field AND 4+ years work experience in program management, process management, process improvement

• OR equivalent experience.

• 4+ years of technology-related experience in one or more of the following sustainability areas: non-profit partners, public affairs, research and/ or communications or equivalent area. 

• 4+ years of experience managing diverse stakeholders including government policymakers, community leaders, non-profits, environmental groups, educators and school administrators, education partners and students in rural, suburban and urban environments.

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 Qualifications: *     

• Experience in building trust with local municipality, non-profit decision makers and community members, articulating the impact of the cloud and Microsoft’s commitment to responsible technology leadership. 

• Able to set clear expectations internally and externally based on community needs, available funding and timelines. 

• Understanding of research methodologies, and experience in developing and sharing strategic recommendations from a broad range of data sources (e.g., survey data, social intelligence, qualitative research, online telemetry, business metrics).

• Experience with creating and implementing external communications plans, including crisis communication management, utilizing modern communication strategies. 

• Ability to work across groups managing individuals both directly and indirectly, marshalling resources toward a common goal and drive for results. 

• Experience managing contractors, agencies, and/or other third parties.

• Committed team player with cooperative interpersonal and communication skills (e.g., listening, written, oral, and data visualization). 

• Experience with philanthropic engagements includingidentifying nonprofit beneficiaries.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced multinational environment working across multiple lines of business.

• Experience with infrastructure development and/ or construction preferred.

• Project / program management skills.

• Proficient technical skills, understanding Microsoft Cloud and Office productivity offerings

• Track record of developing 6-month plans and driving them to completion. 

• Able to work across cultures/groups effectively, valuing diversity within virtual team.

Business Program Management IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $94,600 - $183,800 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 $122,000 - $200,500 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until October 3, 2024

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .