Construction Quality Manager

Microsoft Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the cloud. CO+I delivers over 200 Microsoft web portals, Live and Online Services worldwide, including infrastructure, security, compliance, operations, globalization, and manageability. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering trusted experiences to customers and partners globally.

About the role

A Microsoft Construction Quality Manager governs the quality management system, audits contractor quality performance, manages Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) and quality metrics, identifies risks before they impact commissioning or operations, and ensures data centers are delivered ready to perform—not just ready to complete.

Responsibilities

• Drive Construction Quality from Day One
  • Ensure facilities are built in accordance with design requirements, specifications, and Microsoft quality standards.
  • Promote a "Right First Time" culture to reduce rework, delays, and operational risks.
• Audit Contractor Quality Programs
  • Verify General Contractors are executing their Quality Management System (QMS).
  • Conduct routine quality audits, inspections, and field observations.
  • Validate contractor compliance with Division 01 requirements, quality plans, inspection processes, and documentation requirements.
• Manage NCRs and Quality Issues
  • Initiate and manage Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).
  • Ensure corrective actions are developed, implemented, and verified.
  • Escalate unresolved quality issues to project leadership.
  • Trend recurring quality problems and drive systemic corrective actions.
• Quality Management System Ownership
  • Establish and maintain project quality plans.
  • Review and align contractor quality plans before mobilization.
  • Standardize quality processes across projects and campuses.
• Inspection & Test Planning Governance
  • Govern Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs).
  • Define hold points, quality gates, and documentation requirements.
  • Ensure Installer Verification Checklists (IVCs) and readiness requirements are met before commissioning milestones.
• Digital Quality Platform Management
  • Administer quality tracking systems (Nexus/ACMS).
  • Monitor issue closure timelines and SLA performance.
  • Produce dashboards and quality metrics for leadership visibility.
• Field Quality Assurance
  • Perform field inspections and observations.
  • Monitor workmanship trends and installation quality.
  • Verify contractors are following approved procedures and specifications.
  • Provide early identification of risks that could impact commissioning, Integrated System Testing (IST), or turnover.
• Readiness and Turnover Support
  • Support energization and commissioning readiness reviews.
  • Ensure documentation, inspections, punch lists, and quality issues are appropriately closed prior to turnover.
  • Partner with Commissioning Managers and Operations to improve startup outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Analyze trends across campuses and metros.
  • Capture lessons learned.
  • Recommend process improvements that enhance quality performance and reduce recurrence of defects.
• Contractor Accountability
  • Hold General Contractors accountable for their QA/QC responsibilities.
  • Monitor closure performance and response times.
  • Reinforce that workmanship quality remains the responsibility of the contractor, while Microsoft Quality provides oversight and assurance.

Requirements

• Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Construction Project Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years related experience OR equivalent experience.
• Other Requirements:
  • Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including the Microsoft Cloud Background Check (required upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter).
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Construction Project Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years related experience OR equivalent experience.
  • 7+ years experience working on data center projects.

Pay

The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $97,600 - $188,400 per year. A different range applies to specific work locations, including the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, where the base pay range is USD $125,000 - $206,400 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Additional pay information can be found at Microsoft Careers Pay Information.