Director, Operations

About This Role

This leadership role is responsible for leading all aspects of campus operations for a data center company, including safety, security, reliability, network environment, customer relations, critical environment, and P&L. The Director will strategize, manage, and operate multiple data center facilities, ensuring systems meet or exceed industry standards for critical maintenance and 100% uptime.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership to drive strategic vision for Aligned’s data centers, including Critical Facilities Operations, Preventative Maintenance, Commissioning, Infrastructure, Service Delivery, Security, Logistics, and Safety on a senior level
• Manage campus operations of the 24x7 data center environment
• Identify and implement critical metrics necessary to manage and monitor the performance of overall operations including capacity, availability, budget, and inventory
• Oversee all electrical and mechanical infrastructure such as UPS systems, generators, fire suppression systems, BMS, and HVAC systems
• Meet established Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
• Ensure that all work performed within the data center is done to high quality and without impact to any internal/external customers
• Oversee requirements and delivery of services provided by Operations, Security, and Safety
• Drive maximum potential of these functions to provide exceptional services to clients and employees
• Oversee and support the level 5 commissioning, operations, and maintenance of all data center mission-critical infrastructure in order to achieve 100% availability
• Manage data center facility expansion and consolidation
• Manage, coach, and develop management team performing data center operations
• Manage and lead vendor relationships to maintain day-to-day operations and strategic goals for data center Operations SLAs and deliverables
• Work with current vendor stakeholders and partners to develop and deliver strategic plans
• Oversee all data center vendor contracts, streamlining services required and optimizing overall costs
• Work closely with all strategic supply chain vendors to ensure Aligned’s lean management strategies and continuous innovation and process improvement are fully implemented
• Evaluate and mitigate risk on new and existing programs within data center program governance
• Develop opportunities for cross-team effectiveness and remove organizational barriers for strong teamwork, collaboration, and excellent service delivery
• Drive Aligned’s Sustainability Strategy and create a program to improve the efficiency of the data center operations
• Engage in improvement projects, which often requires reaching out to a variety of support teams and driving them from conception to completion
• Manage budgeting and forecasting, planning, deployment, incident and problem management, and change management
• Maintain documentation and diagrams capturing all essential parameters of data center operations
• Define policies, procedures, and standards related to performance, capacity, availability, continuity, and security
• Create and deliver presentations to leadership team, company meetings, and conferences
• Meet all customer service levels and power utilization efficiency commitments and take an active role in ongoing customer interaction
• Participate in customer service review discussion and various ad-hoc meetings related to data center management issues
• Manage customer service orders and remote hand requests
• Supervise local change management processes including the review and approval of all Method of Procedures (MOPs) for maintenance and one-time/emergency repair events in coordination with onsite personnel, contractors, and customers
• Ensure compliance with all safety procedures as well as utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Respond quickly and appropriately to emergency situations (i.e., fire, evacuation, equipment failure etc.) and any customer concerns
• Ensure inventory control programs/purchase parts and supplies are maintained
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, requisitions, government agencies and AE directives as relates to building and critical environment operations
• Operational Roles may also apply as necessary

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with 10 years’ experience or minimum of 12-15 years of related experience in lieu of degree
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex project documents, AutoCAD, Visio, and PDF documents
• Ability to project and time manage effectively
• Ability to develop operational standards, project tracking, and management documents
• Ability to effectively respond, verbally or written, to sensitive issues, complex inquiries, or complaints
• Ability to make effective presentations and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public
• High level of commitment to customer service, whether co-workers or clients
• In-depth knowledge of all applicable rules, laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances in performing data/communications and MEP projects
• Ability to estimate cost of client installations and other assigned projects
• Cost tracking for all projects
• Knowledge of Purchase Order Requests process and invoice tracking
• Develop appropriate RFP processes in addition to development of operating and capital budgets
• Ability to analyze and solve problems involving several options with limited information
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form and to work independently
• Demonstrate ability to work well under pressure with a proactive approach to unusual occurrences
• Good organizational skills, attention to detail and an openness to new ideas and procedures
• MSOffice applications (Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint)
• Occasional travel will be required for training and meetings

Benefits

• Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution for eligible participants
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) offered for health and dependent care to increase tax savings
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid Time Off and holiday pay
• Company-sponsored insurance: Short-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (with medical election)
• Optional benefits: Voluntary life, critical illness, legal, and additional disability coverage
• Wellness programs: Employee assistance program (EAP), Wellhub gym membership, and other wellness initiatives

Important Details

• Schedule: 24x7 data center environment

About the Company

Aligned Data Centers is a privately held data center company committed to driving positive change in the industry through continuous data center innovation, diversity and inclusion, and corporate sustainability. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package, a generous 401k match with immediate vesting, and free membership to Gympass.