Data Center Manager

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Data Center Manager leads the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of Vanderbilt’s Data Centers, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient operation of critical computing infrastructure. The role manages technical staff, coordinates cross-functional operational activities, and oversees service delivery processes supporting institutional research, academic, and administrative technology services. With high autonomy within established departmental strategies and operational objectives, the manager translates organizational priorities into team-level execution plans, manages operational risk, and ensures service continuity, compliance, and customer satisfaction. Through leadership, workforce development, and operational governance, the position advances VUIT’s mission of dependable technology services for the university community. Vanderbilt University Information Technology (VUIT) is a human-centric organization that advances the university through innovative solutions and frictionless experiences delivered through collaboration. This position works primarily on campus to support operational needs, provide in-person services, and collaborate with colleagues. Employees are expected to be on site during scheduled work hours unless otherwise approved; occasional flexibility may be granted based on departmental needs and institutional policy. There are no set on-call responsibilities, but occasional after-hours support may be required. The position supervises approximately nine technicians and specialists and reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Data Center Services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
5–7 years of progressive experience working in and managing data center operations, critical infrastructure environments, or technology operations functions.
At least 3 years of experience leading technical operations teams, including staffing, performance management, workforce development, and service delivery.
Experience leading operational projects and coordinating activities across multiple technical teams and stakeholders.
Ability to manage incident response, operational risk, escalation processes, and service continuity activities.
Advanced knowledge of data center infrastructure, facilities operations, asset governance, and operational controls.
Ability to analyze operational metrics, performance trends, and service data to drive continuous improvement.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational decision-making skills in a complex operational environment.
Demonstrated commitment to VUIT’s Guiding Principles.
Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record; the University uses a third party to provide notifications about negative changes to motor vehicle records.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
ITIL Foundation, CDCMP, CDCP, Cisco CCENT, or equivalent infrastructure operations certifications.
Project management, leadership, or operational governance certifications.

Responsibilities

Oversee data center operations, including infrastructure installations, relocations, and decommissioning, in accordance with established standards and service commitments.
Maintain asset inventories, infrastructure documentation, consumable tracking, and operational records to support service management and compliance.
Prioritize customer requests, operational work queues, and vendor activities to maintain service quality and customer satisfaction.
Monitor service indicators and operational metrics and implement improvements to increase efficiency, reliability, and service effectiveness.
Maintain physical security, operational controls, and governance requirements across supported facilities.
Lead monitoring, escalation, and response activities to maintain availability of critical data center infrastructure and supporting services.
Coordinate major incident response, communication, collaboration, and resolution of operational disruptions.
Implement change management, risk mitigation, and operational control practices to reduce service interruptions and institutional risk.
Document incidents, corrective actions, and operational events to support accountability, trend analysis, and continuous improvement.
Evaluate recurring operational challenges and implement process improvements that strengthen resilience, reliability, and service continuity.
Maintain working relationships with VUIT leadership, facilities personnel, vendors, contractors, and customers.
Serve as a subject matter resource for data center processes, procedures, and operational standards.
Coordinate stakeholders and teams to complete infrastructure changes and service requests successfully and with minimal disruption.
Develop, maintain, and improve operational procedures to enhance consistency, efficiency, knowledge transfer, and service quality.
Support operational reporting and analysis that provide leaders with actionable information for planning and service improvements.
Lead operational projects that improve data center capacity, infrastructure utilization, environmental management, and service performance.
Oversee effective administration and use of facilities monitoring, asset management, inventory, and capacity planning systems.
Use forecasting, modeling, and performance data to optimize infrastructure placement, power utilization, space allocation, and environmental efficiency.
Coordinate project activities across technical teams, facilities organizations, vendors, and contractors, ensuring successful implementation and operational readiness.
Ensure operational projects align with departmental priorities, service requirements, and quality standards.
Recruit, onboard, develop, and manage team performance in alignment with organizational standards and expectations.
Work as a player-coach, contributing to day-to-day work while mentoring team members, modeling best practices, and removing obstacles.
Develop and execute plans, objectives, and initiatives aligned with departmental and organizational goals; track progress and adjust as needed.
Allocate financial and human resources to meet operational demands, stay within budget, and maximize efficiency and service delivery.
Monitor team and individual performance and provide timely feedback, coaching, and corrective guidance.
Promote a positive and inclusive work environment that encourages collaboration, open communication, and employee engagement.
Ensure compliance with Vanderbilt policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements, addressing issues promptly.
Collaborate with internal partners and stakeholders to achieve cross-functional objectives, resolve issues, and support shared priorities.
Use data, metrics, and operational insights to identify trends, recommend improvements, and implement process changes that enhance efficiency or service quality.
Maintain a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.