[Hiring] Principal Land Acquisition Manager @Microsoft

Role Description

Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) team is responsible for the full lifecycle of Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, spanning site selection, development, and operations. As part of the CO+I Cloud Infrastructure Acquisition team, you will join a team of real estate professionals responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and closing strategic land transactions. This role requires:

• Deal-making expertise
• The ability to navigate diverse regulatory and cultural environments
• Leadership skills to build trusted partnerships across internal and external stakeholders
• Managing complexity and building systems for accountability
• Delivering results at scale

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of strategic land parcels across AMERS to meet Microsoft’s cloud growth needs.
• Develop regional market strategies informed by business demand, competitive dynamics, and regulatory landscapes.
• Negotiate complex real estate transactions, ensuring alignment with Microsoft’s financial, legal, and operational requirements.
• Manage relationships with brokers, landowners, developers, and government authorities to accelerate deal execution.
• Partner with internal teams (engineering, energy, community affairs, legal, finance) to ensure acquired sites can be advanced to development on schedule.
• Establish and track portfolio-level metrics on deal velocity, pipeline health, and transaction risk.
• Drive due diligence processes, ensuring proactive identification and mitigation of legal, zoning, and entitlement risks.
• Represent Microsoft in market engagements, industry forums, and with government stakeholders to advance Microsoft’s position as a trusted, long-term partner.
• Support leadership and development of a high-performing regional acquisition team, fostering collaboration and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Other Requirements:
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role.
• 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:
• 15+ years of experience in real estate acquisitions, land strategy, or large-scale infrastructure development.
• Demonstrated success in sourcing and negotiating high-value, complex real estate transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated understanding of land use, zoning, permitting, and entitlement processes in US markets.
• Ability to develop and execute regional strategies in alignment with global objectives.
• Effective stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence decision making across leadership levels, external partners, and government agencies.
• Analytical Thinking, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to navigate complex situations and make informed decisions.

Requirements

• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements.
• Pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Benefits

• The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $130,900 - $277,200 per year.
• Base pay range for this role in the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area is USD $165,600 - $303,600 per year.
• Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.