Director, Operations

Aligned Data Centers•Conesville, OH

About The Position

The Director of Operations leads and executes all aspects of campus operations across multiple data center facilities, including safety, security, reliability, network environment, customer relations, critical environments, and P&L. The role manages 24x7 data center operations and ensures facility systems meet or exceed industry standards for critical maintenance and availability. It also ensures engineering and security teams follow reporting, documentation, and standard operating procedures, while meeting customer service-level agreements and compliance audit requirements. The Director serves as the liaison for operational activities across managed facilities, coordinating with executives, department heads, customers, employees, vendors, and other stakeholders. The role leads and develops market staff and management teams, oversees infrastructure and service delivery, and supports the company’s growth, sustainability strategy, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement efforts. This position reports to the SVP of Operations or their designee. Occasional travel is required for training and meetings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred with 10 years of experience, or 12–15 years of related experience in lieu of a degree.
Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex project documents and AutoCAD, Visio, and PDF documents.
Ability to project and manage time effectively.
Ability to develop operational standards, project tracking, and management documents.
Ability to respond effectively, verbally and in writing, to sensitive issues, complex inquiries, or complaints.
Ability to make effective presentations and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the public.
Strong commitment to customer service for coworkers and clients.
In-depth knowledge of applicable rules, laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances for data/communications and MEP projects.
Ability to estimate costs for client installations and other assigned projects and track project costs.
Knowledge of purchase order request processes and invoice tracking.
Ability to develop RFP processes and operating and capital budgets.
Ability to analyze and solve problems involving several options with limited information.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions and work independently.
Ability to work well under pressure and take a proactive approach to unusual occurrences.
Good organizational skills, attention to detail, and openness to new ideas and procedures.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
Willingness to travel occasionally for training and meetings.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

Provide senior leadership and strategic direction for data center operations, including critical facilities operations, preventative maintenance, commissioning, infrastructure, service delivery, security, logistics, and safety.
Manage campus operations in a 24x7 data center environment.
Establish and monitor operational metrics, including capacity, availability, budget, and inventory.
Oversee electrical and mechanical infrastructure, including UPS systems, generators, fire suppression systems, BMS, and HVAC systems.
Meet established service-level agreements and ensure work is performed to a high standard without affecting internal or external customers.
Oversee services provided by Operations, Security, and Safety, and drive those functions to provide exceptional service.
Oversee and support level 5 commissioning, operations, and maintenance of mission-critical data center infrastructure to achieve 100% availability.
Manage data center facility expansion and consolidation.
Manage, coach, and develop the management team responsible for data center operations.
Lead vendor relationships, coordinate strategic plans with vendor stakeholders and partners, and oversee vendor contracts, services, costs, SLAs, and deliverables.
Work with strategic supply-chain vendors to implement lean management strategies, innovation, and process improvements.
Evaluate and mitigate risks in new and existing programs within data center program governance.
Improve cross-team effectiveness, remove organizational barriers, and promote collaboration and service delivery.
Drive the company’s sustainability strategy and develop programs to improve data center operational efficiency.
Lead improvement projects from conception through completion, coordinating with support teams.
Manage budgeting and forecasting, planning, deployment, incident and problem management, and change management.
Maintain documentation and diagrams that capture essential data center operational parameters.
Define policies, procedures, and standards for performance, capacity, availability, continuity, and security.
Create and deliver presentations to leadership, company meetings, and conferences.
Meet customer service levels and power utilization efficiency commitments, and participate in ongoing customer interactions and service reviews.
Participate in ad hoc meetings about data center management issues.
Manage customer service orders and remote-hand requests.
Supervise local change management, including reviewing and approving Methods of Procedure for maintenance and one-time or emergency repair events in coordination with onsite personnel, contractors, and customers.
Ensure compliance with safety procedures and use of personal protective equipment.
Respond promptly and appropriately to emergencies and customer concerns.
Maintain inventory control programs and purchasing of parts and supplies.
Ensure compliance with applicable codes, requirements, government agencies, and company directives related to building and critical-environment operations.
Perform other operational duties as necessary.