Description :
Job Title: Group Program Manager
Job Category: Program Management
Product: Surface
Date Posted: 10/02/2008
Job Code: 244668
Location: WA - Redmond
Travel Required:
Are you interested in working on a product that defines the next generation of human-computer interaction? How about working on a solution that frees people to experience activities and content in a more natural way? How about working on a game-changing product that enables people to share face-to-face experiences rather than using technology in isolation? When was the last time you worked on a product that sparked the imagination and got you truly excited? If you want to be inspired again, consider joining the Microsoft Surface team http:// [link removed]
The Surface Computing group's mission is to fundamentally change how people interact with technology. Surface computing breaks down the traditional barriers between people and technology, providing effortless interaction with digital content. We are changing the way people will interact with all kinds of everyday content, from photos to music, maps to credit cards. Microsoft is creating an entirely new class of touch-based surface computers that consumers engage with through natural hand-gestures, touch, and everyday physical objects. Our first partners planning to roll-out Surface are major leisure, entertainment and retail brands. Surface computing will be a multi-billion dollar addressable market by 2010 with applications in enterprise, consumer and education.
We are seeking a talented Group Program Manager to help drive our initiatives in this space, ensuring our solutions are architecturally sound, scalable, and meet the needs of our customers and partners, from business decision makers to developers, system integrators to end users. We are looking for a seasoned GPM to lead our talented and highly energetic Solutions Program Management team. The projects will offer a wide variety of areas covering many segments of customer scenarios including commercial & enterprise segments. Our key verticals for FY09 are Hospitality, Retail, Leisure, Healthcare and Automotive.
In this role you will be responsible for the delivery of a variety of solutions that demonstrate the use of Surface in several new scenarios, such as purchasing media, comparing services, ordering products, advertising, and finding information.
We are looking for an individual who has a proven track record in:
- Strategic leadership combined with strong ability to execute and drive for results
- Extensive experience leading software development teams and projects
- Translating requirements into a great end to end customer experience
- Software development processes and best practices. Experience with Agile methodologies such as Scrum desirable
- Outstanding technical expertise including familiarity with the Windows architecture, WPF, XNA, C++ / C# development tools and UI frameworks, user experience research and design, and extensive experience leading software development teams and projects
- Dealing with highly ambiguous situations typical of V1 start-up businesses
- Shipping high quality products on time across ship cycles using great process
- Leading, motivating and coaching people and managers
- Great communication skills; Up, down, and out
- Excellence in cross team and cross group activities
- Great balance with technical passion and vision that is coupled with pragmatism and strong execution resulting in an ability to ship great software against aggressive schedules
The primary responsibilities include managing the solutions program management team including the coordination with our global development centers; working with Dev, Test and Design to bring consistent process to the team; and providing direction and insight on architectural decisions including how to best integrate with other Microsoft technologies. As the GPM, you will need to have strong technical and managerial skills, great customer focus, and the ability to participate in defining the team's long term vision. You should have a passion for understanding and solving hard technical and business problems and ensure they translate to durable design and implementations.
To qualify for this position you must have at least 8 years of program management experience, with multiple full ship cycles as a GPM. Candidate must be honest, open, exhibit critical thinking and be inclusive. Candidate should have demonstrated excellent analytical, problem resolution, and decision-making skills. Initiative, excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to work as part of a team environment that demands excellence are essential. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Math, Engineering, or equivalent industry experience is required.