Join Microsoft's Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO&I) team as a Metro Contracts Manager in Hyderabad. This role is pivotal in delivering core datacenter infrastructure for Microsoft's global cloud business. You will spearhead pre- and post-award contract activities for complex, large-scale construction projects, ensuring alignment with Microsoft's stringent contracting policies and processes. This is an opportunity to shape multi-year sourcing strategies, lead supplier selection, drive contract negotiations, and establish performance standards to achieve project excellence.

Collaborate closely with the Sub-Regional Contracts Lead and other stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and defined milestones. Your expertise will be crucial in identifying procurement issues, crafting contract execution plans with robust control processes, and developing winning negotiation strategies to secure internal and external management support.

This role demands a proactive approach to early business engagement in highly complex areas and categories. You will be responsible for managing supplier activity, tracking progress, and developing strategic supplier account plans that outline mutual priorities and focus for the relationship. The primary location is Hyderabad, with potential to support additional projects as business needs evolve.

As a Metro Contracts Manager, your responsibilities will span the entire contracting lifecycle.

- **Contracting Strategy & Delivery:** Lead project-specific contracting strategies for Hyderabad's metro data center construction. Define optimal procurement approaches, including competitive tenders and framework agreements, in partnership with management and cost control teams to maximize cost, schedule, delivery, and risk outcomes. - **Procurement & Supply Chain Management:** Oversee end-to-end RFP and contracting processes, from prequalification to award recommendations. Cultivate a resilient supply chain by managing market capacity and program risks. Provide essential oversight for General Contractor procurement plans and subcontracting strategies. - **Contract Execution & Governance:** Draft, review, and issue contracts strictly adhering to Microsoft's approved templates and legal guidance. Manage contractual exceptions and compliance requirements in consultation with Legal, Finance, and business stakeholders. Support the approval of change orders and contract amendments. - **Contract Administration & Commercial Delivery:** Administer contracts throughout their lifecycle, handling notices, correspondence, change management, and close-outs. Offer timely commercial and contractual advice to project teams to facilitate decision-making and mitigate claims exposure. Support various commercial models as required. - **Claims, Risk & Dispute Resolution:** Lead the commercial assessment of claims related to extensions of time, delays, variations, and escalations. Develop Microsoft's commercial positions, negotiation strategies, and recommended responses, driving early dispute avoidance and structured resolution pathways. - **Cross-Team Leadership:** Act as the senior contracts point of contact for project teams, legal, finance, and suppliers. Independently resolve complex cross-functional issues and influence project outcomes without direct people management.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional with a strong foundation in contract management and construction projects.

**Qualifications:** - A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Operations, or a related field; equivalent practical experience will also be considered. - Typically 12+ years of relevant experience in managing complex, large-scale construction projects from initiation to completion. - Extensive experience in supply chain management, commercial negotiations, and contracting, coupled with proven contractor management skills across diverse projects and locations. - Deep understanding of commercial contracting language and terms, with demonstrated negotiation prowess with external suppliers and service providers. - Significant experience in contract management, procurement, commercial management, quantity surveying, cost management, engineering, or construction management. - Proven ability to manage complex construction contracts, change orders, claims, and contractor correspondence. - Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple concurrent projects and stakeholders effectively in a fast-paced capital delivery environment. - Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience in preparing contractual notices and senior stakeholder briefings.

**Preferred Qualifications:** - Experience in Data Center, Infrastructure, Semi-conductor, Power, or Oil & Gas capital project management with contractor and supplier responsibilities. - Experience working within a large, multinational organization, preferably on the owner's side. - Professional accreditation such as RICS, CIArb, AIQS, AACE, or equivalent. - Familiarity with Microsoft or comparable enterprise contracting, procurement, and governance systems. - Experience with FIDIC-based contracts.