Area Manager, Data Center Operations

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

• Area Leadership: Oversee all data center operations within the assigned area, ensuring the efficient operation of facilities and the delivery of top-tier support to internal and external customers. Conduct regular rounds of the facility to ensure the equipment is functioning correctly and that the center is aesthetically maintained to a high standard. 

• Team Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor, and guide staff across multiple managed markets. Foster a culture of growth and development by creating career progression plans for direct reports and conducting regular one-on-one meetings to track performance and discuss professional goals. 

• Performance Management: Manage and evaluate performance of direct reports through annual evaluations, merit increases, and promotions. Oversee area budgeting, ensuring optimal resource allocation. 

• Time and Resource Management: Supervise the time tracking, including overtime and Paid Time Off (PTO) for all CIEs, DCTs, and Supervisors within the area. 

• Security Oversight: Ensure the security of the data centers under your area’s management, implementing measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. 

• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute both short-term and long-term strategies to improve operational efficiency and meet the business goals of the area. 

• Purchasing and Budgeting: Oversee the area’s purchasing process, ensuring that all procurements align with operational needs and budget constraints. 

• Documentation and Knowledge Management: Manage the creation and maintenance of technical documentation for departmental processes and procedures, contributing to a comprehensive knowledge base. 

• Training & Development: Lead the development and implementation of training programs that align with Flexential's customer service standards and foster a culture of continuous learning within the team. 

• SLA and Customer Support: Monitor areas tasks to ensure that customer SLAs are met consistently. Act as the escalation point for sensitive and high-priority customer issues, managing incident investigations and resolution processes. 

• Employee Engagement: Create and manage employee engagement initiatives to improve morale and team cohesion, ensuring high levels of productivity and satisfaction. 

• Project Management: Manage and implement new programs and projects to support regional data center operations, providing technical and administrative guidance to ensure successful execution. 

• Vendor and Subcontractor Oversight: Critique the performance of subcontractors to ensure adherence to schedules, standards, and specifications. Collaborate with Operations management to resolve site issues in priority order. 

• Maintenance Oversight: Support and train staff on preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance planning, scheduling, and execution. Ensure that all safety protocols are followed by both Flexential staff and vendors. 

• Root Cause Analysis: Perform root cause analysis for equipment failures and contribute to continuous improvements in equipment reliability and performance. 

• Innovation and Risk Mitigation: Continuously drive innovation within the area, focusing on reducing operational costs and mitigating risks in data center operations. Identify and implement opportunities to improve processes. 

• Communication: Effectively communicate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders. Prepare and present regular reports on facility performance, maintenance, and operational metrics. 

• Other Duties: Perform additional duties as assigned by senior management to support the successful operation of the data center area. 

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of direct experience in the operation, construction, and maintenance of data center MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) systems, or equivalent technical experience. 

• Management Experience: At least 5 years of experience in a management role, with direct oversight of 5 or more team members. 

• Technical Skills: Proven experience with root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving in a critical infrastructure environment. 

• Industry Knowledge: A minimum of 5 years of experience working in a data center or similar critical infrastructure environment. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications: Advanced electrical or mechanical certifications are a plus. 

• Experience: 8+ years of experience in data centers with a focus on building systems and equipment operation. 

• Leadership: 8+ years of management experience, with a proven track record of leading teams of 5 or more direct reports. 

• Military or Trade Experience: Relevant military experience or applicable trade experience is highly desirable. 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time 

• Walk or Stand for _50__% of the time 

• Moderate or advanced keyboard usage 

• Lift __50_ lbs. 

• Travel _10__% of the time