Construction Contract Lead

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO&I) is the team behind the cloud. Within CO&I, the Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) organization is responsible for delivering core datacenter infrastructure for Microsoft’s cloud business. The MS portfolio consists of complex, multi-disciplinary, large scale, multi-year datacenter construction and lease projects. We are looking for a passionate, high-energy individual to help build the cloud datacenters that power the world’s largest online services.

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.

Contract Lead will support construction contract governance, documentation integrity, commercial administration, and change management across large-scale construction projects.

We are seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive Contract Lead to join our Construction Contracts team supporting the delivery of large-scale construction projects.

This role plays a critical part in maintaining contractual governance, documentation integrity, and commercial administration throughout the project lifecycle. The successful candidate will support contract execution activities, manage contract records, coordinate contractual communications, and enable effective change management processes while ensuring compliance with company policies and project requirements.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced project environment, demonstrates strong attention to detail, and takes ownership of ensuring contractual information is accurate, timely, and audit-ready.

Construction Contract Lead

Location: San Jose, CA. Project / Site‑Based (with coordination across regional teams)
Reporting to: Contracts / Commercial Management Team

Role Overview

We are seeking a high‑performing Construction Contract Lead to join our Contracts team and support the delivery of complex construction projects. This role is responsible for end‑to‑end contract management, spanning pre‑award support through post‑award execution and closeout. The successful candidate will bring strong commercial judgement, disciplined change control practices, and the ability to operate confidently in a fast‑paced construction environment.

Key Responsibilities

Pre‑Award & Contract Set‑Up

• Support RFP readiness by reviewing contract documents for completeness and commercial alignment
• Coordinate timely issue of RFPs in line with project schedules
• Drive closure of technical and commercial deviations prior to contract award
• Contribute to bid evaluations, contract strategy development, and negotiation preparation
• Coordinate closely with cost, procurement, and project teams to support award decisions

Post‑Award Contract Management

• Manage contracts through execution, ensuring compliance with contractual terms and governance requirements
• Lead administration of change orders and variations, maintaining clear entitlement positions
• Review and approve contractual correspondence, including notices, non‑compliance letters, and formal communications
• Monitor contractor performance against contractual obligations, milestones, and commercial commitments
• Support resolution of billing, valuation, and payment issues in collaboration with cost teams

Change, Claims & Risk Management

• Coordinate review of Time Impact Analyses (TIAs), extension‑of‑time requests, and schedule recovery measures
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution, including escalation of complex commercial issues where required
• Identify and proactively mitigate contractual and commercial risks throughout project delivery
• Ensure compliance with insurance, bonding, and other contractual risk controls

Stakeholder & Site Engagement

• Lead regular commercial / contract review meetings with contractors and internal stakeholders
• Act as a key commercial interface between site teams, the Contracts function, and cross‑functional partners
• Provide clear, structured commercial updates to the Contracts team and project leadership

Closeout & Continuous Improvement

• Manage contract closeout activities, ensuring all contractual deliverables and obligations are satisfied
• Support final account settlement and documentation handover
• Drive continuous improvement in contract management processes, tools, and execution practices

Skills & Experience

Required

• 5+ years’ experience in construction contract management across pre‑ and post‑award phases
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts, change management, and commercial governance
• Proven experience managing variations, claims, and contractual correspondence
• Excellent stakeholder management and written communication skills
• Ability to operate effectively in site‑based, delivery‑focused environments

Preferred

• Experience on large, complex construction or infrastructure projects
• Familiarity with schedule entitlement, TIAs, and cost/commercial integration
• Experience working closely with legal, procurement, cost, and project controls teams

What We’re Looking For

• A commercially astute, disciplined operator who protects entitlement while supporting delivery
• A confident communicator able to work across technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• A high‑ownership mindset, with strong attention to detail and accountability
• Someone who brings structure, clarity, and consistency to contract management during execution

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.

#COICareers | #EPCCareers | #DCDCareers

Sourcing and Category Management IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $116,900 - $203,600 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 $148,400 - $222,600 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.