Data Center Site Operations Manager
Leads deployment and ongoing operations for a data center facility, managing technicians, vendors, infrastructure installation, maintenance, inventory, and incident response. Requires 4+ years of data center operations experience and 2+ years of direct people management.
About the job
Responsibilities
Launch and Operate the Chicago Facility
- Oversee setup of data center systems within an existing colocation facility.
- Coordinate equipment installation, including rack-and-roll delivery, cabling, network installation, and power-up procedures.
- Manage vendor relationships, scheduling, and performance to ensure successful deployment.
- Track and manage inventory and incoming hardware.
Onsite Operational Leadership
- Lead data center technicians handling maintenance, break/fix, diagnostics, and routine inspections.
- Develop and implement procedures for uptime, preventive maintenance, and incident response.
- Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for operational issues and escalations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with NetOps, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to support deployments and ongoing operations.
- Participate in hiring, training, and mentoring on-site technicians.
- Travel to other data centers to learn processes and align operational standards.
Requirements
- 4+ years of experience in data center operations.
- 2+ years of direct people management experience.
- Strong understanding of data center infrastructure, including racking, cabling, cooling basics, power distribution, and network hardware installation.
- Ability to lead technicians through break/fix, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance workflows.
- Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to respond quickly to operational issues.
- Strong vendor management experience, including scheduling, accountability, and performance tracking.
- Detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working in fast-moving environments.
- Ability to manage a team supporting a 24/7 data center environment.
- Ability to meet physical requirements, including lifting up to 50 lbs.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with data center tenant fit-outs.
- Experience in high-density or hyperscale environments.
- Relevant certifications such as CompTIA, Cisco, Juniper, or similar.
Compensation and Benefits
- Annual base salary: $120,000–$145,000 USD.
- Discretionary bonus and meaningful equity component.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
- RSUs.
- 401(k) matching in the U.S.
- Unlimited PTO, company holidays, and floating holidays.
- Two-week company-wide winter break.
- Paid parental and family leave.
- Annual learning and development allowance.
- Wellness and work-from-home stipends.
- Four weeks of paid sabbatical leave after four years of service.
- Flexible schedules and a hybrid work model for office-based teams.
- Complimentary meals at office hubs.
- Benefits may vary by location, team, and role.
Skills
Data Center Operations, Racking, Cabling, Power Distribution, Network Hardware, Preventive Maintenance, Incident Response, Troubleshooting, Vendor Management, Inventory Management, Break/Fix, Comptia, Cisco, Juniper
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