Associate Director, Operational Excellence & Compliance

IREN•Fort Worth, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

IREN is a vertically integrated AI Cloud provider that builds, owns, and operates data centers and GPU clusters. The Associate Director, Data Center Infrastructure Readiness & Performance is accountable for transitioning data center infrastructure and facilities from construction and commissioning into operations, and for the operating standards and performance governance that preserve reliability throughout their operating life. The role is the liaison between design engineering and construction, commissioning, and Operations, bringing Operations through L1 to L5 commissioning and accepting each stage on its behalf. The role establishes operating parameters, guardrails, and risk-based limits to protect asset health, and owns performance frameworks, KPIs, and governance processes as the fleet scales. It leads the Operational Excellence & Compliance pillar, with the team expected to grow from one person to a multi-site team of Operational Readiness & Compliance Leads as the portfolio expands. The work is grounded in facility engineering and 24/7 critical-facilities operations, including electrical and mechanical infrastructure, commissioning, maintenance, and operating discipline. The position is based in Fort Worth, Texas, with a hybrid work arrangement, and reports to the Global Director, Asset Management and Operational Excellence. IREN operates its data centers using 100% renewable energy and emphasizes responsible, sustainable operations with a positive impact on its communities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline such as Engineering or Technical Studies, or equivalent.
12 or more years of progressive experience in critical infrastructure or mission-critical operations with multi-site scope.
Experience building and owning KPI tracking, audit frameworks, or operational governance processes across multiple sites.
Experience across the construction-to-operations boundary, including facility onboarding and commissioning handover, with accountability for acceptance decisions.
Progression from hands-on site-level execution to leadership of operational governance or process improvement, including team leadership.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to lead through functional direction without direct line authority across site teams.
Sound technical judgment and ability to hold technical accountability for approving standards and deviations while aligning with enterprise standards.

Nice To Haves

Relevant certifications or technical leadership training.
Experience in hyperscale, colocation, or large-scale industrial environments.

Responsibilities

Own operational readiness for transition from construction and commissioning into live operations; establish the L1-to-L5 readiness protocol, accept handover on behalf of Operations at each level, and lead Operational Readiness & Compliance Leads at new sites through ramp-up and stabilization.
Set operating parameters, guardrails, and risk-based limits to protect asset health, and develop the business case for bringing selected maintenance and operational functions in-house where this improves cost or reliability.
Own the performance framework, KPIs, and stewardship process, including dashboards for maintenance completion, work order resolution, and labor efficiency; maintain the reporting partnership with the integrated operations centre and own the KPI data model.
Own the portfolio-wide operating standards suite, including SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, maintenance playbooks, and technical documentation; establish standard methods for maintenance effectiveness, work execution, and operational planning, and assure adherence.
Lead the operational audit and assurance program, establish its framework, direct reviews of site adherence to company and customer requirements, and ensure corrective actions are closed.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that affect site readiness, scalability, and operational performance, and shape the operating model, systems, and practices that support growth.
Define competencies required to operate and maintain assets to IREN standards and support Operations and HSSE in developing related training and exercise programs.
Hold technical authority for operating standards, the readiness protocol, and operational management of change; approve standards and deviations within authority, improve approval timelines while strengthening audit and compliance readiness, and escalate enterprise-level deviations to the Global Director.
Own the lessons-learned system and portfolio operational governance framework to institutionalize global consistency and repeatability.
Serve as the senior interface between site operations, commissioning, and corporate operational excellence; take accountability for organizational readiness and act as the commissioning-to-operations liaison.
Lead the Operational Excellence & Compliance pillar and grow the team from one person to a multi-site team as the portfolio expands.

Benefits

Base salary, annual performance incentives, and equity programs as part of a total rewards package.
Relocation assistance, as applicable and based on candidate circumstances.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance; company pays 100% of employee coverage and 75% of dependent coverage.
Company-paid life and disability insurance.
Voluntary life, critical illness, and accident coverage.
Health Savings Accounts when combined with the High-Deductible Health Plan.
Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Financial wellness tools and resources.
Paid time off and paid holidays.
Opportunities for advancement and internal mobility.
Training and personal development opportunities.
Company events and team-building activities.