Director of Operations - Data Center

Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as the Director or Vice President of Operations for a network of colocation data centers. This position plays a critical role in managing day-to-day operations while setting and executing long-term strategy to ensure optimal facility performance, high availability, and superior service delivery. This role reports to the Senior Vice President of Operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership:

• Drive strategic direction and leadership for all operational aspects of data center facilities.

• Establish and enforce operational policies, procedures, and compliance standards.

• Cultivate a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, and exceptional customer service.

Facility Management:

• Manage maintenance and reliability of core infrastructure (e.g., power, cooling, network, and security systems).

• Partner with engineering and facilities teams to maintain 24/7 uptime and performance standards.

• Collaborate on expansion initiatives, including new builds and site improvements.

• Promote safety, sustainability, and environmental best practices across all facilities.

Service Delivery:

• Ensure SLAs are met or exceeded, providing consistent, high-availability service to clients.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to tailor solutions that meet evolving client needs.

• Monitor KPIs and operational metrics to optimize service quality and efficiency.

• Lead efforts to improve client satisfaction, retention, and service experience.

Financial Management:

• Own annual operating and capital budgeting processes for data center operations.

• Track and analyze performance against financial targets, making data-driven adjustments.

• Ensure transparency and accuracy in client billing, especially for tenant improvement costs.

Risk & Compliance:

• Design and maintain comprehensive risk mitigation strategies.

• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and certifications (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA).

Team Development:

• Build and lead high-performing teams; mentor staff and invest in professional development.

• Define clear goals and accountability frameworks, fostering a culture of learning and excellence.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Computer Science, Business); advanced degree a plus.

• 7+ years of experience in data center operations leadership.

• Proven ability to manage budgets and vendor relationships through contract negotiation.

• Strong technical knowledge of data center infrastructure and systems.

• Expertise in industry compliance, safety, and operational best practices.

• Outstanding leadership and cross-functional communication skills.

• Track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives.

• Certifications such as CDCDP or CDCMP are strongly preferred.

• Solid project management capabilities.