Director, Operations SME – Data Centers – Critical Environment

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Texas.

📋 Description

• Assist in the development of solutions for managing clients' data center portfolios.

• Collaborate with technical transition leadership to ensure thorough due diligence and site startup is implemented as planned.

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert (SME) focused on critical facility operations, including electrical distribution, UPS systems, generators, cooling systems (CRAC/CRAH), and BMS/EPMS platforms.

• Possess a profound understanding of high-density data center layouts and advanced liquid cooling technologies, including operations and maintenance.

• Provide expert advice on incident response, root cause analysis (RCA), and risk mitigation strategies.

• Review and authorize MOPs, SOPs, and EOPs, ensuring they are technically accurate and in line with industry best practices.

• Lead technical assessments, audits, and operational readiness evaluations across data center locations.

• Assist in complex troubleshooting and high-severity incidents (SEVs) as the escalation authority.

• Implement and advise on training protocols for site teams.

• Propel the deployment of operational platforms for managing maintenance and operations of critical data center sites.

• Maintain ongoing collaboration with Account Directors and clients to ensure operations align with business objectives, SLAs, and reliability targets.

• Guarantee a comprehensive and well-planned handover to the ongoing account management team for operational continuity.

• Promote standardization and scalability of operating models across multiple sites or global accounts.

• Identify operational deficiencies and lead corrective action plans along with performance improvement initiatives.

• Act as a strategic advisor during contract solutioning, transitions, mobilizations, and expansions.

• Advocate for best practices in uptime, redundancy, and resilience across all data center environments.

• Encourage the adoption of reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), predictive maintenance, and condition-based monitoring.

• Analyze performance metrics to identify trends and proactively address risks.

• Lead initiatives aimed at enhancing energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost optimization.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards (OSHA, NFPA, ISO, Uptime Institute guidelines, etc.).

• Assist in audit preparation, compliance reviews, and risk management frameworks.

• Develop and implement standardized operational controls and governance models.

• Assess and mitigate risks linked to critical infrastructure changes or failures.

• Act as a reliable technical advisor to clients and account stakeholders, including data center engineering and operations leadership.

• Participate in executive governance meetings (QBRs, technical reviews).

• Effectively communicate complex technical issues and solutions in a clear, business-oriented manner.

• Provide thought leadership and innovative recommendations to enhance client outcomes.

• Mentor and cultivate operations leaders, engineers, and technical teams.

• Establish competency frameworks and training programs for critical operations roles.

• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Contribute to talent strategy and succession planning for technical roles.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or related field) or equivalent experience.

• 12+ years of experience in data center operations, critical facilities, or mission-critical environments.

• 8+ years in senior leadership, technical advisory, or SME roles.

• Extensive knowledge of: Electrical systems (medium/low voltage, switchgear, UPS, generators, etc.).

• Mechanical systems (HVAC, chilled water, cooling technologies, fire systems, etc.).

• High-density liquid cooling systems and configurations.

• Operations and redundancies in critical environments.

• Proven track record supporting large-scale enterprise, hyperscale, or colocation environments.

• Strong experience with incident management, RCA methodologies, and risk mitigation strategies.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance

• Vision insurance

• Dental insurance

• Flexible spending accounts

• Health savings accounts

• Retirement savings plans

• Life and disability insurance programs

• Paid and unpaid time away from work