VP, Data Center Operations

Flexential•Portland, OR

3d•$200,000 - $282,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President of Data Center Operations and Infrastructure is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the operational efficiency, performance, and long-term strategic direction of all data center facilities and infrastructure. The VP will ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of Flexential’s data center infrastructure, while managing day-to-day operations, capital investments, and long-term growth planning. This is an exempt position and will require on-call responsibilities as well as travel to Flexential data center locations on a routine basis. Additional responsibilities may include the analysis of non-Flexential facilities as necessary for expansion/acquisition support, due diligence, and/or customer projects.

Requirements

Knowledge and Skills: Electrical systems: Main Bus (medium and low voltage), ATS’s (various types), Generators, UPS’s, static bypass, maintenance bypass, Wire sizing, PDU’s, Dist. Panels, TVSS, Breaker operation, PM procedures, Thermographic scanning, monitoring Contract knowledge: Maintenance timing, windows for repairs, terms, exceptions, on-call capabilities, competition
Mechanical systems: Glycol loops, DX units, Glycol units, basic HVAC, redundancy, controls, bypass, balance, Dry coolers, contactors, humidity, temperature, dew point, economy coil, pumps, expansion tanks, isolation valves
Building Systems: should know the basics of building construction, roof types, wall types, door hardware types, access flooring systems, plenums, fire systems (dry pipe, Gas, pre-action, VESDA) and must be able to read and understand blueprints. Knowing and understanding SOO (Sequence Of Operations) and downstream ramifications is essential.
Key Leadership Characteristics: Ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment and understanding at all organizational levels, including executives and the board of directors.
Skilled in interpreting and presenting relevant information to senior leadership, with a focus on its impact on organizational strategy, objectives, and decision-making processes.
Proven ability to plan, organize, and lead large-scale, high-impact projects from conception through successful execution, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business goals.
Strong capability to manage self and lead teams effectively in high-pressure situations, maintaining a calm and strategic approach to problem-solving during crises or urgent challenges.
Ability to anticipate potential issues before they escalate into critical problems, with a proactive approach to risk management and issue resolution.
Possesses the presence and leadership skills to command respect and trust from both internal teams and external partners, including markets, vendors, and other key stakeholders.
In-depth understanding of and experience with preventive and predictive maintenance strategies, ensuring the reliability, uptime, and operational efficiency of critical infrastructure.
Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field. Equivalent experience considered.
10+ years of experience in data center operations, infrastructure management, or related fields, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing data center operations.
Experience with large-scale data center management and infrastructure planning, including experience with power, cooling, servers, network infrastructure, and disaster recovery.

Nice To Haves

BS in engineering preferred, equivalent experience considered.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Operations Management: Lead and oversee the operation of all data center facilities, ensuring the highest levels of uptime, efficiency, and performance for mission-critical infrastructure.
Develop and execute long-term operational strategies for data centers, aligning with Flexential’s goals and business objectives.
Ensure that infrastructure investments support organizational growth and scalability.
Manage the P&L for Data Center Operations by optimizing operational expenditures, controlling costs, and improving efficiencies across data center operations, including power, cooling, network, and staffing.
Lead the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and best practices for data center operations, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Ensure continuous improvement in operational performance, availability, and sustainability of data center infrastructure through the application of proven methodologies and emerging technologies.
Infrastructure and Facility Management: Oversee the lifecycle management of data center infrastructure, including server hardware, network devices, power, cooling, storage systems, and connectivity.
Develop and execute infrastructure capacity planning to ensure that the Flexential data centers can scale with business needs and support growing customer demand.
Optimize energy usage and cost-efficiency, identifying opportunities to implement green technologies, reduce carbon footprint, and leverage sustainable practices in facility operations.
Ensure physical security of all data center facilities, working closely with the CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) and other stakeholders to maintain secure environments for critical assets and data.
Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans, ensuring the resilience and availability of services and infrastructure in case of unforeseen events.
Stay informed of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes in the data center space, ensuring the company remains competitive and compliant.
Team Leadership and Staff Management: Lead and mentor a high-performing team of data center operators, engineers, and technicians, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
Develop and implement staff training and development programs, ensuring the team stays current with emerging technologies and industry best practices.
Oversee staffing levels and resource allocation to ensure effective management of operations while meeting the demands of the business and ensuring continuous development for employees.
Drive operational excellence by establishing KPIs to measure efficiency, uptime, and other critical operational metrics.
Vendor and Stakeholder Management: Manage relationships with key vendors and contractors to ensure that contracts are aligned with operational needs and cost objectives.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to help manage contracts for third-party service providers, maintenance agreements, and leasing contracts for facilities and infrastructure.
Collaborate with internal cross-functional teams to ensure alignment across business units and that data center infrastructure supports business objectives and customer needs.
Strategic Planning and Financial Management: Contribute to long-term business strategy and budget planning, providing insights into data center infrastructure and operations that inform financial forecasting and capital investment decisions.
Oversee budget management for data center operations, ensuring cost controls, budget adherence, and financial reporting for capital and operational expenditures.
Evaluate emerging technologies and infrastructure solutions to drive business development, improve cost-efficiency, and enhance the competitive position of the company in the data center market.
Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, maintaining certifications and audits as required.
Lead efforts to mitigate risks related to facility operations, including security breaches, service interruptions, and infrastructure failures, through proactive risk management and disaster recovery planning.
Other Responsibilities: Provide regular reports to senior and executive leadership on data center performance, operational metrics, capacity, and any challenges or risks related to infrastructure.
Perform other duties as required by the business to ensure the success of the Flexential’s data center operations and infrastructure.