Group Manager - 3rd Party Vetting Operations

The Vetting Operations team sits within the Partner Lifecycle and Trust Operations organization, a function within Microsoft Business Operations "MBO". Our mission is to strengthen, simplify, and scale risk management and compliance operations to protect Microsoft and enable strategic growth. We deliver risk management controls and data insights for MBO risks, optimize complex systems and processes across the broader organization, and execute compliant 3rd party vetting, offboarding, and remediation services.

We are hiring a Group Manager of 3rd party Vetting Operations to lead a team of talented operations and support program managers,in a mission critical compliance role. This team delivers vetting services to ensure Microsoft only engages with trusted and valid 3rd party entities including but not limited to partners, suppliers, and developers. These services are delivered in close partnership with engineering and support organizations. We're focused on simplifying and improving vetting standards and governance, capacity planning, operational procedures and support workflows, and communications through continuous process improvement, systems, and Microsoft AI/Copilot capabilities.

The Group Manager, 3rd Party Vetting Operations, is accountable for delivering operational excellence at scale. This role drives execution of vetting strategy through efficient, compliant, and repeatable processes that enable measurable business outcomes. This role partners cross-functionally to remove blockers, standardise workflows, and accelerate delivery in a complex, matrixed environment. They use data and defined success metrics to prioritise, make decisions, and maintain execution momentum. This role builds a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, ensuring teams are equipped with the tools, governance, and operating rhythms required to deliver. Additionally, the role ensures enterprise vetting services are consistently executed and scaled to meet evolving business needs.

• Drive Operational Delivery & Accountability
  Lead, develop, and grow a high-performing, diverse team delivering critical enterprise vetting services. Empower and hold the team accountable for achieving objectives, key results, and metrics that land organizational priorities, while enabling success through clear process design and execution.
• Plan & Prioritize for Results
  Set clear priorities and plan the team's work to meet goals, adapt quickly to changing business needs, and maintain momentum and energy toward execution. Design planning frameworks that enable proactive, consistent prioritization and delivery at pace.
• Measure & Report Performance
  Deliver ongoing performance metrics and scorecards to represent the state of the business. Foster a data-driven culture that uses analytics to make informed decisions and accelerate execution, while enabling teams with tools and processes for transparent reporting.
• Ensure Compliance & Audit Readiness
  Contribute to audit readiness at all times. Drive rigor in compliance documentation and risk management, and support internal/external audits with precision and timeliness. Enable compliance through maintaining standardized documentation and governance processes.
• Execute Agentic AI Strategy
  Operationalize the strategy for integrating Agentic AI into vetting operations to enhance automation, decision-making, and efficiency while ensuring compliance and ethical standards.
• Manage Outsourced Supplier Performance
  Oversee contract and performance of outsourced vetting service providers to ensure delivery meets quality, compliance, and operational expectations. Enable supplier success through structured performance management processes.
• Model Risk Mitigation & Decision Agility
  Demonstrate a proactive compliance mindset by anticipating issues, engaging diverse perspectives, and making timely, informed decisions to keep execution on track. Enable decision-making through clear escalation and governance processes.
• Define Strategy for Service Transformation
  Shape operational models and transformation plans using industry benchmarks, performance insights, and business needs in partnership with stakeholders. Enable transformation by designing repeatable frameworks and change management processes.
• Influence Stakeholders for Holistic Solutions
  Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders to align priorities and deliver integrated solutions that support enterprise objectives. Enable collaboration through structured engagement models and communication processes.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 6+ years experience in program management, process management, or process improvement
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 4+ years management (e.g., people, project, process, vendor, change) experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree or MBA
• Systems thinker, able to understand upstream and downstream processes to drive end-to-end solutions to key business and operational challenges.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to deliver simple, concise, and clear messages at all levels.
• Ability to act as a trusted advisor, can influence without authority, and builds relationships with individuals at all levels, in multiple geographies and business functions, both internally and externally.
• Initiates and demonstrates thought leadership, innovation, and execution management.
• Experience in driving operational rigor and efficiencies through strategic plans and roadmaps while driving changes at pace to meet business needs.
• Attention to detail and analytical problem solving, with judgement to make decisions in ambiguous situations.

Business Program Management M5 - 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.