Director, Contract Management

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the Microsoft’s Cloud infrastructure and is responsible for innovating, planning, designing, building and operating one of the largest data center fleets in the world. We support product teams by providing a secure and compliant, cost efficient and highly available global infrastructure that Microsoft’s customers depend.  

We are seeking a Director, Contract Management professional with a substantive paralegal background in complex commercial real estate and lease documentation. This director will lead and develop a high-performing Contracts Management team, optimize contracts to align with evolving design requirements, enable future growth, and accelerate time to market. The role requires established enterprise leadership capabilities and executive-level communication skills to guide the team and influence stakeholders across organizations. Working closely with legal counsel and technical teams, the role combines strategic portfolio and people leadership with precise document review, preparation, and obligation management. Sound issue spotting, timely escalation, and disciplined execution will reduce contractual risk, protect business continuity, and establish scalable contract management practices. Aligned with Microsoft’s values, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every employee contributes to a culture of excellence and collaboration. 

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.  

• Owns strategic contract management programs, including executive monthly dashboards, risk registers, and mitigation plans that make contractual obligations, emerging exposure, and business continuity risks visible. 

• Lead multiple large-scale initiatives simultaneously, balancing technical leadership with strong business judgment. Defines programs and collaborates with executives to update and operationalize strategies, driving execution aligned with company priorities within approved timelines. 

• Applies substantive paralegal expertise to review and prepare complex commercial real estate agreements, leases, amendments, and related notices with CELA counsel. Identifies inconsistencies, omissions, and potential legal issues; escalates legal interpretation and advice to CELA while making informed business and project decisions with subject matter experts. 

• Develops a playbook to manage project intercepts as designs evolve; collaborates with technical teams and CELA counsel to align lease provisions, amendments, and approvals with evolving Basis of Design (BoD) requirements. 

• Build and inspire a diverse, high-performing team, fostering a culture of inclusion, trust, and psychological safety. Leads complex contract management initiatives, understands customer requests, coaches team members and shares information to drive action across teams, overcomes obstacles by resolving issues, and engages stakeholders to fulfill goals. 

• Ensures lessor compliance with contractual obligations, standards, and regulations across a large portfolio in partnership with CELA and technical experts. Maintains obligation registers with accountable owners, critical dates, notice requirements, and escalation paths; coordinates timely action to avoid missed deadlines and business disruption. 

• Develops and implements strategies for continuous improvement in contract management processes to support the evolving needs of the business. 

• Invest in team growth through career development plans, actionable feedback, and stretch assignments, preparing future leaders for expanded scope. Identifies goals and opportunities for improvement, evaluates processes, collaborates with business partners and strategic vendors, and recommends, creates, and implements innovative solutions. 

• Maintains precise document control, including current and executed versions, redlines, approvals, and supporting records. Verifies completeness and consistency of contract data and provides continuous feedback to improve the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of contract management processes. 

• Communicate effectively at all levels, demonstrating impact and influence across multiple organizations and stakeholder groups. Simplifies and summarizes highly complex/multi-dimensional issues into actionable strategies and recommendations for key stakeholders and Microsoft senior executives. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, Real Estate, Project Management, or related field AND 7+ years relevant experience OR 10+ years equivalent experience. 

• 7+ years people management experience.

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.

While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:

• Paralegal education, a paralegal certificate or certification, or equivalent substantive legal training. 

• Relevant legal education or apprenticeship is also valued; a law degree or attorney licensure is not required. 

• In addition to either experience pathway above, a substantive paralegal background in complex commercial real estate agreements, leases, and amendments is required. Demonstrated ability to review and prepare documents with counsel, manage obligations, deadlines, and notices, maintain precise document control, and spot and escalate legal issues appropriately.

• Demonstrated people management and team development experience is required, including building inclusive, high-performing teams, setting clear expectations, providing actionable feedback, developing career plans, and preparing team members for expanded responsibilities.

• Established enterprise leadership capabilities and executive-level communication skills are required to lead cross-functional contract management initiatives and influence senior stakeholders. 

• Paralegal or comparable substantive contract management experience supporting complex commercial real estate portfolios and cross-functional initiatives. 

• Experience translating lease provisions and amendments into actionable obligation registers, risk reporting, and recommendations for senior stakeholders. 

• Proven track record of achieving results amidst ambiguity across multiple organizations. 

• Ability to simplify complex ideas into easy-to-understand concepts with outstanding communication skills. 

• Proficiency in use of process improvement methodology (ex. Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC-Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control). 

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Real Estate Portfolio Management M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $130,900 - $277,200 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 $165,600 - $303,600 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.