Microsoft Corporation is actively seeking an exceptional professional to join our organization as a Data Center Project Manager – IT/Network within the Data Center Operations Management division. Positioned at the core of Microsoft’s technological innovation, this role offers direct involvement in mission-critical engineering initiatives, planetary-scale cloud services, and next-generation product architectures.

Role Overview & Strategic Impact

As a Data Center Project Manager – IT/Network based in Milan, Italy, you will play an integral role in architecting, engineering, and delivering transformative technology solutions. Operating within Microsoft’s Data Center Operations Management practice, your efforts will directly shape the scalability, performance, and security of software systems and platforms trusted by billions of users worldwide.

Microsoft’s enduring mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Team members thrive within an inclusive culture grounded in a growth mindset, cross-team empathy, and uncompromising customer focus. In this position, you will collaborate with industry-leading engineers, researchers, and product leaders to solve complex technical problems at unprecedented scale.

Technical Domain: Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) Infrastructure

Microsoft Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the foundational engine delivering physical datacenter campuses across more than 60 datacenter regions globally. Engineering and construction management teams oversee the complete lifecycle of hyperscale facilities—from power distribution architectures (substation to server rack) and advanced closed-loop liquid cooling systems to physical integration, environmental health & safety (EHS), and sustainability initiatives. Professionals in this sector ensure uninterruptible 24/7 power, environmental efficiency, and rapid capacity delivery.

Professionals in this specialization combine strong computer science fundamentals with practical, real-world systems engineering. Whether delivering distributed microservices, designing custom silicon interconnects, managing physical datacenter infrastructure, or scaling AI-powered customer workflows, you will operate within a mature engineering ecosystem supported by Microsoft’s global technical community.

Key Responsibilities & Scope of Work

In this capacity, your daily priorities and core technical contributions will center on the following key operational deliverables:

• Owns end-to-end project execution for datacenter initiatives from intake through close-out, holding self-accountable for service quality, completeness, and the resulting customer experience across IT, network, infrastructure, remediation, and modernization projects.
• Builds and manages project plans, schedules, milestones, and dependencies across multiple parallel workstreams, proactively reviewing schedules to avoid conflicts and offering alternatives when defining customer solutions.
• Executes projects inside live production datacenters in strict adherence to safety, security, and change-management standards, including MOP/SOP compliance and access controls; follows and reports any safety or security issues or concerns immediately.
• Recognizes and communicates the potential customer impact of operational events such as lock-downs and maintenance windows, planning accordingly to minimize disruption to clients and the business.
• Acts as the single coordination point between Datacenter Operations, Engineering, Construction, IT/Network teams, vendors, integrators, and contractors, managing relationships to ensure all expectations are clarified, documented, and met.
• Proactively identifies schedule, technical, safety, and operational risks, suggests ways to reduce maintenance risk, and develops mitigation and contingency plans in collaboration with relevant teams.
• Performs troubleshooting for service incidents and escalates appropriately to meet SLAs and OLAs with minimal disruption to clients and the business.
• Maintain rigorous code quality, comprehensive automated test coverage, and security compliance throughout all phases of software delivery.
• Participate actively in technical design reviews, operational post-mortems, and architectural discussions across global engineering cohorts.

Candidate Profile & Experience Requirements

Candidates for the Data Center Project Manager – IT/Network position are evaluated based on their practical experience, technical depth, and demonstrated track record of problem-solving:

• Professional Background: Minimum of 5 years (60 months) of verified experience directly relevant to data center operations management or related technical specializations.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or equivalent practical industry experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of verified professional experience in software engineering, technical architecture, or enterprise technology operations.
• Proven technical problem-solving capabilities, cross-team collaboration skills, and expertise with modern distributed systems or enterprise frameworks.
• Technical Competence: Demonstrated mastery of programming environments, distributed systems, modern cloud infrastructure, or specialized analytical methodologies relevant to the domain.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an established ability to articulate complex technical architectures clearly to engineering peers and executive stakeholders.
• Culture & Values: Demonstrated alignment with Microsoft’s core values of respect, integrity, and accountability, alongside a proactive dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Work Environment, Workplace Schedule & Location Structure

This position is designated with an official location in Milan, Italy. Work arrangements for this role are structured as Onsite Model (Milan, Italy). Microsoft provides modern, accessible work environments equipped with state-of-the-art developer tooling, ergonomic facilities, and collaborative hybrid infrastructure.

Compensation, Total Rewards & Comprehensive Benefits

Microsoft offers a comprehensive, highly competitive total rewards framework designed to support employees’ personal, professional, and financial well-being:

• Estimated Annual Base Salary: EUR 65,000 – EUR 110,000 per annum (exact compensation determined based on verified qualifications, technical evaluation, specialized experience, and local market benchmarks).
• Incentive & Equity Rewards: Eligibility for annual performance-based cash bonuses and Microsoft restricted stock units (RSUs).
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage, including mental health support programs and wellness reimbursements.
• Retirement & Financial Security: Robust 401(k) / national retirement savings plans with generous company matching contributions, alongside financial planning resources.
• Time Off & Work-Life Harmony: Generous paid time off, comprehensive parental leave programs, public holiday allowances, and caregiver leave support.
• Growth & Learning: Unlimited access to Microsoft Learn, internal technical conferences, tuition assistance, and structured career mobility pathways across worldwide business units.

Application Process & Requisition Reference

This position is actively open and monitored by Microsoft Talent Acquisition. In alignment with corporate hiring policies, applications are accepted on an ongoing basis with no rigid pre-determined closing deadline until a qualified candidate is formally selected (Open Until Filled).

To submit your application, select the Apply Now button on this listing to navigate directly to the official Microsoft Careers requisition portal. When submitting your candidacy, reference Requisition ID 200056624. Ensure your resume and supporting documentation highlight your relevant technical deliverables, system achievements, and professional qualifications.