M365 Messaging Lead

About the role
As an M365 Messaging Lead, you will make an impact by ensuring the reliability, security, and governance of our enterprise messaging environment. You will oversee the secure and uninterrupted flow of millions of emails each day, enhance collaboration through Microsoft Teams, and strengthen the organization’s overall compliance and security posture. This role blends hands-on technical expertise with leadership, giving you the opportunity to shape messaging architecture, drive operational excellence, and mentor junior engineers. You will be a valued member of the Cloud Infrastructure and Security team and work collaboratively with the Senior Manager.

In this role, you will:
• Oversee daily operations of Exchange Online and hybrid messaging services, ensuring secure mail flow, high availability, and optimal performance.
• Manage mail flow, transport rules, connectors, mailbox policies, shared mailboxes, distribution groups, and permissions.
• Monitor message traces, queues, and service health, leading incident response and root cause analysis (RCA) for messaging issues.
• Administer and optimize Proofpoint (POD/TRAP/TAP/EOP) for anti-spam/anti-phishing protections, URL defense, and attachment sandboxing.
• Maintain and enhance DMARC/DKIM/SPF configurations, manage quarantines and sender lists, and lead campaign-level threat investigations.
• Administer M365 Security & Compliance features including DLP, retention policies, litigation hold, eDiscovery, Safe Links, and Safe Attachments.
• Enforce RBAC, least privilege, configuration baselines, and change control procedures across messaging and collaboration platforms.
• Maintain Active Directory / Entra ID hygiene, including service accounts, groups, policies affecting Outlook/Teams, and directory sync/health.
• Support identity lifecycle processes, Conditional Access, and app registrations related to messaging services.
• Manage Microsoft Teams policies, guest access, channels, and collaboration governance.
• Partner with infrastructure, security, and business teams to align messaging services with organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and operational standards.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improved reliability, scalability, and user experience through automation and continuous improvement.
• Mentor junior engineers and champion best practices for secure and compliant messaging operations.

Work model
We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in San Francisco, CA. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered:
• Extensive experience administering Exchange Online and enterprise messaging environments.
• Strong background supporting Hybrid Exchange (mail flow, connectors, transport rules).
• Proven expertise with M365 messaging migrations.
• Hands-on experience with Proofpoint administration and tuning.
• Knowledge of M365 Security & Compliance features (DLP, retention, eDiscovery, litigation hold).
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to lead incidents, conduct RCA, and implement durable fixes.
• Experience supporting hybrid work models and rotational shift schedules.
• Proficiency maintaining Active Directory and Entra ID and supporting identity lifecycle/Conditional Access.
• Experience administering Microsoft Teams policies and governance.
• Excellent communication skills and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.

These will help you stand out:
• PowerShell scripting and automation for Exchange/M365 operations.
• Experience with Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and advanced email threat protection.
• Familiarity with Teams Voice/telephony administration.
• Experience developing runbooks, monitoring dashboards, and configuration baselines.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation:
Applications will be accepted until February 11, 2026
The annual salary for this position is between $99,000 - $116,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
·Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
· Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
· 401(k) plan and contributions
· Long-term/Short-term Disability
· Paid Parental Leave
· Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.