Associate Director, Operational Excellence

IREN•Fort Worth, TX

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Operational Excellence supports the development and execution of standardized operational practices, performance governance, and readiness programs across IREN's data centre portfolio. Reporting to the Global Director, Asset Management and Operational Excellence, the role works closely with site operations teams to optimize asset and system performance, strengthen operational readiness—including the transition from construction and commissioning into steady-state operations—and build the technical competency, workforce development, and training foundation needed to scale reliably. The role owns the portfolio-wide operating standards suite, operational audit and assurance program, performance framework and KPIs, operational readiness protocol, and operational governance and lessons-learned systems. It accepts handover from EPCD on behalf of Operations, holds acceptance gates at each readiness level, and leads Operational Readiness & Compliance Leads through new-site ramp-up and stabilization. It also sets operating parameters and risk-based limits, holds technical accountability for standards and management of change, and leads cross-functional initiatives, training programs, and the commissioning-to-operations interface. IREN is a vertically integrated AI Cloud provider that delivers large-scale data centers and GPU clusters for AI training and inference. The company builds, owns, and operates data centers powered by 100% renewable energy, with a focus on responsible and sustainable operations. This position is based in Fort Worth, Texas, with a hybrid work location type.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Own the operating standards suite—including SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, maintenance playbooks, and technical documentation—across IREN's data centre portfolio, establishing standard methods for maintenance effectiveness, work execution, and operational planning and ensuring adherence.
Lead the operational audit and assurance program by setting the audit framework, directing reviews of site adherence to company and customer requirements, and holding sites accountable for closing corrective actions.
Own the performance framework, KPIs, stewardship process, dashboards, reporting partnership with the IOC, and the data model used by the KPIs.
Own operational readiness for the transition from construction and commissioning into live operations; establish the Level 1 to Level 5 readiness protocol, accept handover from EPCD on behalf of Operations, hold acceptance gates at each level, and lead Operational Readiness & Compliance Leads through new-site ramp-up and stabilization.
Set operating parameters, guardrails, and risk-based limits to protect asset health, and lead business cases for bringing selected maintenance and operational functions in-house when this improves cost or reliability.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that affect site readiness, scalability, and operational performance, and shape the operating model, systems, and practices that support growth.
Own the design and delivery of onboarding, training, and competency programs for operations personnel, including scenario-based readiness and emergency response exercises.
Hold technical accountability (TA1) for operating standards, the readiness protocol, and operational management of change; approve deviations, reduce approval timelines, and strengthen audit and compliance readiness.
Own the lessons-learned system and portfolio operational governance framework to institutionalize global consistency and repeatability.
Serve as the senior interface between site operations, the commissioning organization, and corporate operational excellence, with accountability for organizational readiness and the commissioning-to-operations liaison requested by the Chief Innovation Officer's organization.

Benefits

Highly competitive compensation package including base salary, annual performance incentives, and opportunities to build long-term wealth through equity programs.
Total rewards package may include short-term and long-term incentives.
Relocation assistance, as applicable and based on successful 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.