Critical Environment Operations Specialist

Microsoft Microsoft · Big Tech · Boydton, VA +1 · Data Center Operations Management

This role is responsible for critical environment operations within Microsoft's data centers, focusing on security, safety, cost management, and compliance for a global infrastructure supporting various Microsoft services like Azure, Office 365, and Xbox. The specialist will follow and improve processes, manage budgets, conduct risk assessments, and ensure adherence to security and compliance standards.

What you'd actually do

  1. Follows and adheres to processes and policy(ies) provided by security and safety governing partners. Reports immediately any safety or security issues or concerns. Participates in safety and security related Root Cause Analysis (RCA) processes as appropriate. Makes recommendations for improvements to safety and security processes or procedures. Fosters and exhibits a culture of safety. Ensures no unauthorized or unescorted personnel access in secured production environments, ensuring alignment with security practices and standards. Manages and regularly audits physical access lists for personnel accessing secured production environments and related systems. Conducts security risk assessments of data center operations and assesses the design, build, and delivery of technology, tools, data, and processes to meet high security standards with minimal guidance. Documents and tracks security Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and identifies and escalates action items.
  2. Demonstrates conscientiousness on cost and adheres to budget requirements. Supports managers in creating budget forecasts. Provides input as needed to meet timely and accurate estimates on budget allocation. Manages POs end-to-end process, invoicing, accruals, and adheres to After-the Fact (ATF) policies. Supports and assists with the development of demand cost forecasts, drives awareness among direct-line managers on the business implications of service management issues. Monitors the cost model and reporting systems to raise awareness with any risks to future forecasting, tracking, reporting of costs, security and operational risks, and dependencies for a campus, country, or region. Articulates level of importance on priorities needed to maintain availability expectations. Adjusts plans based on assigned financial spend for the year. Plans and works with business partners on executing their requirements to maintain adherence to data center availability, security, and safety. Identifies opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency.
  3. Engages with appropriate teams and resources to execute tasks or projects. Manages programs associated with area of responsibility.
  4. Understands strategic vision and Microsoft's security initiatives as communicated by leaders. Identifies potential improvements aligned with this vision, including security enhancements.
  5. Adheres to compliance and security standards with Data Center business units and contractual service agreements. Ensures third parties are compliant with Microsoft security, safety, and all other guidelines. Abides by all service level agreements (SLAs) to meet compliance requirements. Exercises judgement and discretion to suggest improvements to policies. Implements policy updates that enhance security posture across operations. Investigates root causes of policy faults, degradation, or security incidents and suggests improvement plans. Delivers policy plan improvements per Data Center business unit(s).
  6. Realizes that changes impact the work of others and proactively shares relevant information to enable continued workflow efficiency(ies). Participates in change advisory board (CAB) meetings. Supports implementation of changes in accordance with documented procedures accurately and provides feedback in a timely manner. Regularly scans the internal and external environment to help anticipate changes that could affect key projects. Develops an understanding of change management principles and their varying application. (e.g., PROSCI vs. ITIL). Assesses the security implications of planned changes with guidance and identifies and escalates risks.
  7. Collaborates and negotiates effectively with others to identify delegates to deliver results. Seeks guidance from management on delegation of resources.
  8. Manages assigned projects or programs within a single discipline to meet service delivery Objectives & Key Results (OKRs) or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Participates in pilot programs or task forces to ensure smooth implementation for future service delivery. Escalates to appropriate stakeholders to remove obstacles. Applies a security-oriented perspective in escalation procedures to safeguard infrastructure integrity. Recommends improvements to service execution tooling standards and supports the adoption of s

Skills

Required

  • Process adherence
  • Security protocols
  • Safety procedures
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • Risk assessment
  • Budget management
  • Cost control
  • Invoice processing
  • Demand forecasting
  • Project management
  • Change management
  • Compliance standards
  • Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Nice to have

  • Data center operations
  • Infrastructure management
  • Physical security
  • ITIL
  • PROSCI