Director, AI Inferencing Portfolio Planning

Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the organization that builds, operates, and continuously evolves the infrastructure behind the Microsoft Cloud, powering services used by more than 95% of Fortune 500 companies. CO+I is responsible for the full datacenter lifecycle from global planning and site acquisition through design, construction, deployment, operations, and eventual decommissioning, spanning 400+ datacenters across more than 70 Azure regions, connected by one of the world's largest global networks. As the engine that enables Microsoft’s cloud and AI transformation, CO+I delivers reliable, trusted, secure, and sustainable cloud and AI infrastructure, ensuring capacity is available on time, every time, to meet customer growth and support Microsoft’s broader mission to empower every person and organization to achieve more.

Within CO+I, the AI Delivery organization is responsible for enabling Microsoft’s next generation of hyperscale AI capacity, partnering across Microsoft to translate customer demand and technology roadmaps into scalable infrastructure plans.

We are seeking a Director, AI Inferencing Portfolio Planning to help shape and execute Microsoft’s AI inferencing capacity strategy. In this role, you will lead complex portfolio planning initiatives at the intersection of customer demand, capacity planning, datacenter infrastructure, hardware supply, and technology readiness. You will work across Cloud + AI, engineering, supply chain, finance, and operations organizations to drive integrated planning and executive decision-making for some of Microsoft's most strategic AI initiatives.

This role requires a highly effective leader who can create clarity in ambiguous environments, influence across organizational boundaries, and translate complex technical and business tradeoffs into actionable plans and executive insights. 

• Lead AI inferencing portfolio strategy and planning efforts to align AI deployment decisions with customer demand, product roadmaps, infrastructure and technology readiness, and hardware supply
• Play a key role in developing contract proposals and delivery commitments for Microsoft's largest AI customers
• Drive portfolio-level planning frameworks, operating mechanisms, and business processes that improve scalability, predictability, and execution across the AI delivery ecosystem
• Lead cross-functional execution across large-scale initiatives, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely resolution of risks, dependencies, and constraints
• Translate complex business, technical, and operational tradeoffs into clear executive narratives and recommendations to shape portfolio strategy and investment priorities
• Influence executive decision-making through rigorous analysis, strategic thinking, and effective communication.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, helping define priorities, clarify tradeoffs, and drive business outcomes in a rapidly evolving environment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 6+ years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.

Background Check 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

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field AND 10+ years of experience in Program Management, Capacity/Supply Planning, Product Management or related disciplines
  • OR equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience leading large-scale, cross-functional programs that span multiple organizations and stakeholders in complex technical environments
• Experience influencing executive-level decision-making through strategic analysis, business insight, and executive communications.
• Demonstrated success driving alignment and execution across organizations without direct authority.
• Experience leading effectively in highly ambiguous, fast-paced, and rapidly growing environments
• Master's Degree in related technical field AND 8+ years of experience in Program Management.
• 4+ years experience with hyperscale cloud infrastructure, AI infrastructure, datacenter delivery, hardware deployment, or large-scale technology deployment
• 4+ years experience supporting customer commitments, capacity allocation decisions, portfolio management, or executive planning processes
• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate complex technical or operational concepts to senior leaders.
• Demonstrated thought leadership, strategic planning capability, and ability to influence organizational direction across diverse stakeholder groups

#COICareers | #EPCCareers | #DCDCareers

Technical Program Management IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. 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 with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.