Drive Innovation. Lead Transformation. Empower Impact.
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for orchestrating complex, high-impact programs that shape the future of technology? At Microsoft, we’re looking for a visionary Program Director to lead our most ambitious transformation initiatives - delivering measurable outcomes across our German business and global practice.
About Microsoft Industry Solutions Delivery
Microsoft Industry Solutions Delivery is a global team of over 6,000 professionals - including strategic sellers, industry and security experts, elite engineers, data scientists, architects, consultants, and delivery specialists. Together with our partners, we help Microsoft’s most strategic customers solve their toughest challenges through tailored, industry-specific solutions.
What You’ll Do
As a Program Director, you will:
* Provide strategic leadership and direction for high-complexity, global programs involving diverse technologies and partner ecosystems.
* Orchestrate cross-functional, virtual teams across geographies, ensuring alignment with customer business outcomes.
* Deliver measurable business impact that strengthens our internal practice and drive impact in the German market.
* Champion cloud adoption and digital transformation, identifying opportunities to maximize customer value and Microsoft’s strategic goals.
What We Work On
Our team supports customers in their digital transformation journeys, including:
* Building digital twins for real-time operational insights.
* Developing AI-powered personal assistants.
* Modernizing legacy application estates with AI-driven solutions.
Our Culture
At Microsoft, Our Mission Is To Empower Every Person And Every Organization On The Planet To Achieve More. We Live This Mission Through a Culture Grounded In
* Growth mindset – We learn and adapt to empower others.
* Innovation – We push boundaries to create meaningful change.
* Collaboration – We work together to achieve shared goals.
* Inclusion – We foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Strategic Execution
* Provide strategic leadership and direction for the successful delivery of high-complexity, global programs involving diverse technologies and partner ecosystems.
* Act as the primary Microsoft contact for executive stakeholders, steering the customer through complexity while maintaining a laser focus on achieving business outcomes.
* Orchestrate cross-functional, global, and virtual teams, ensuring alignment across delivery streams and fostering a unified “One Microsoft” experience.
* Anticipate and navigate political sensitivities, proactively mitigating escalations and ensuring customer satisfaction through executive-level engagement.
Governance, Risk & Change Management
* Design and lead robust program governance structures, including Program Boards, Change & Risk Boards, and internal Quality Review Boards.
* Own the master schedule and associated risks, ensuring proactive monitoring, issue resolution, and corrective action through structured governance.
* Collaborate closely with the customer Program Director and PMO to manage interdependencies, program changes, and decision-making processes.
Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Communication
* Build and sustain trusted relationships with C-level and senior executive stakeholders, aligning delivery with strategic goals and identifying opportunities to maximize customer investment.
* Prepare and chair Executive Steering Committee meetings, delivering clear, concise updates on status, risks, schedules, and financials.
* Serve as a liaison between Microsoft Area Account teams, partners, and senior leadership, ensuring effective communication and resolution of concerns.
Operational Excellence & Financial Stewardship
* Demonstrate deep financial acumen by overseeing program-level financial governance, resource planning, and budget accountability.
* Lead the planning and design of the overall program, ensuring alignment with business priorities and Microsoft’s delivery capabilities.
* Manage and mentor Program Leadership roles, ensuring operational excellence and accountability across all workstreams.
Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Improvement
* Champion cloud adoption and business value realization by driving continuous improvement and sharing insights across internal and external communities.
* Promote the reuse and contribution of intellectual property (IP), holding teams accountable for leveraging collective knowledge and best practices.
* Contribute to the evolution of Microsoft’s delivery model by sharing lessons learned and driving innovation in customer engagements.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications :
* Master’s degree in a relevant field orequivalent practical experience in complex program management.
* Proven experience delivering consulting services to external clients, preferably in enterprise or transformation contexts.
* Fluency in both German (minimum C1) and English, written and spoken.
Residency in Germany and valid EU work permit are strongly preferred due to operational and client-facing requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
* Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (strongly preferred).
* Agile certifications such as Scrum Master, PMI-ACP, or PSM I.
* Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
* Experience leading in matrixed or global delivery environments, particularly across virtual teams.
* Experience with cloud service offerings, ideally Microsoft Azure or comparable platforms.
* Experience with Microsoft Solution Areas “AI Business Solutions”, “Cloud & AI Platforms” & “Security”.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations. #J-18808-Ljbffr