Microsoft Gulf
Critical Environment Program Manager
- Permanent
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 2 - 5 yrs
Job expiry date: 06/05/2026
Job overview
Date posted
23/03/2026
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Job description
The Critical Environment Program Manager (CEPM) within Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) organization is responsible for delivering core infrastructure and foundational technologies that support Microsoft’s global cloud services including Bing, Office 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and Microsoft Azure platform. Operating across a global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and over 1 million servers supporting more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries, the role focuses on ensuring optimal data center operations, service delivery, and environmental sustainability. The CEPM ensures compliance with service-level agreements (SLA) and data center policies, manages programs within their area of responsibility, and adheres to cost management and budget requirements. The role includes participation in Root Cause Analysis (RCA), overseeing mechanical and electrical equipment maintenance, and ensuring adherence to safety and security protocols. The position requires management of Critical Environment (CE) availability, execution of operational processes including MOP, SOP, and EOP reviews, implementation of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), change governance, and risk mitigation strategies. The CEPM is responsible for emergency preparedness and response planning, monitoring of power, temperature, and relative humidity metrics, and maintaining operational efficiency through energy optimization initiatives. The role involves coordination with engineering groups, landlord partners, and global teams, contributing to Monthly Business Reviews (MBRs) and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), and driving best practices across the data center portfolio. Additionally, the CEPM supports IT infrastructure operations including servers, SANs, and networking systems, while working with critical environment infrastructure such as UPS systems, generators, and AHU systems. The role emphasizes compliance verification, audit coordination, reporting, and continuous improvement of operational procedures within a large-scale, mission-critical data center environment.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with data center business units and service-level agreements (SLA) while managing programs and executing tasks in alignment with operational policies and procedures
- Oversee day-to-day operations and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment including execution of MOP, SOP, EOP reviews, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), change governance, and risk mitigation processes
- Maximize Critical Environment availability and operational efficiency in leased datacenters by coordinating with landlord partners and engineering groups
- Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) processes and implement corrective actions to reduce high-impact and human-error Critical Environment incidents year over year
- Deliver cost and energy efficiency initiatives while ensuring adherence to budget requirements and optimizing resource utilization
- Support and execute emergency preparedness and response plans and act as escalation point for all facilities-related issues within datacenters
- Coordinate, plan, schedule, and supervise Critical Environment audits and compliance verification activities
- Monitor and report on power, temperature, relative humidity, and SLA metrics to ensure effective operational analysis and performance management
- Collaborate with engineering groups, landlord partners, and global peers, contributing to MBRs and QBRs and driving best practice sharing across the data center portfolio
- Provide mentorship, share best practices, and contribute to continuous improvement, risk reduction strategies, and operational enhancements within the data center environment
Experience & skills
- Obtain High School Diploma or equivalent with at least 2+ years of industry experience in a datacenter or critical environment facility, or possess 3+ years industry experience with college coursework
- Demonstrate experience with Critical Environment infrastructure including UPS systems, generators, and AHU systems
- Possess knowledge or experience in mechanical or electrical engineering through Bachelor’s Degree or Technical College certification
- Demonstrate experience working on large-scale Critical Environment projects and operations within data center environments
- Show familiarity with IT infrastructure components including servers, SANs, and networking systems
- Meet Microsoft Cloud Background Check requirements and pass security screening upon hire and every two years thereafter
- Adhere to safety, security, compliance, and operational standards required for managing critical data center environments