Director, Site Operations, NA
About The Position
The Director, Site Operations is based on-site at Vantage’s data center in Santa Clara, California, and is accountable for the operational performance, reliability, and leadership of two data center campuses in a 24x7x365 mission-critical environment. The role oversees critical infrastructure and facility spaces, including power, cooling, building control systems, and life-safety systems, with a focus on safety, reliability, risk management, and operational excellence. The Director sets site vision and operating standards, oversees maintenance strategy and system readiness, and ensures disciplined execution of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs. The role leads Operations Managers, Critical Facilities Engineers, shift teams, and contracted service partners, ensuring teams are trained, resourced, and aligned to daily operations and long-term objectives. Reporting to senior operations leadership, the Director partners with Engineering, Construction, Security, IT, and Customer Success teams to integrate operational considerations into design, commissioning, and expansion. The position also manages budgets and vendor performance, ensures regulatory and industry compliance, engages with customers and other stakeholders, reports on operational performance, and drives continuous improvement and sustainability practices.
Requirements
- 10+ years of progressive experience in mission-critical facilities, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Demonstrated success managing large-scale data center or critical infrastructure operations.
- Strong knowledge of electrical distribution systems, including UPS, switchgear, generators, and ATS.
- Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, including CRAC/CRAH units and chillers, and BMS/EPMS controls.
- Expertise in incident management, root cause analysis, and reliability engineering practices.
- Familiarity with CMMS, monitoring platforms, and data-driven reporting tools.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
- Strong financial acumen and experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets.
- Ability to partner with clients, vendors, and executive leadership in a high-stakes environment.
- Ability to work in a 24x7 environment and respond to critical events as needed.
- Strong decision-making ability under pressure.
- Commitment to safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
- Ability to travel as business needs require.
- Occasionally stand, walk, sit, handle or feel objects, reach, climb stairs, balance, stoop or kneel, talk, and hear; occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Facilities Management, or a related technical discipline preferred.
- PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
- CFM (Certified Facility Manager) certification.
- OSHA 30 / NFPA 70E Safety Training.
Responsibilities
- Provide overall leadership and accountability for day-to-day operations of two data center campuses.
- Align site operations with corporate objectives, industry standards, and client SLAs; establish long-term strategies to optimize uptime, safety, and efficiency.
- Maintain 24x7x365 operational readiness of power, cooling, building automation, and life-safety systems.
- Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs for mechanical, electrical, and controls systems.
- Lead incident management, root cause analysis, and post-incident reviews to drive continuous improvement.
- Help develop and manage annual site operating budgets, capital improvement budgets, and cost-control initiatives; track OPEX and CAPEX against targets.
- Ensure vendor contracts, procurement, and service agreements are cost-effective and meet performance expectations.
- Directly manage senior operations staff and shift teams, ensuring adequate coverage and leading training, development, and performance management.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, ISO, and other applicable regulatory and industry standards; enforce EH&S policies and MOP/SOP/EOP standards.
- Manage audits, certifications, and corporate compliance requirements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, senior leadership, and external stakeholders; support client tours, audits, and technical discussions.
- Provide executive-level reporting on facility status, incidents, risks, and performance metrics.
- Track and report KPIs for uptime, incident response, safety compliance, and operational efficiency; establish benchmarks and deliver regular reports to executive leadership.
- Use KPI data to drive accountability, inform decisions, and guide continuous improvement.
- Drive operational excellence initiatives, including automation, monitoring improvements, and sustainability practices; benchmark against industry best practices.
- Partner with Engineering, Construction, Security, IT, and Customer Success on design, commissioning, and expansion activities.
- Respond to critical events as needed and travel as business needs require.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Life and AD&D coverage.
- Short- and long-term disability coverage.
- Paid time off and paid leave benefits.
- Employee assistance program.
- 401(k) program with company match.
- Additional voluntary benefits.
- Health and welfare benefits, retirement benefits, and training and development opportunities.
- Above-market total compensation package, including base salary and bonus.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
