Data Center Operations Director

About the company

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Data Center Operations Director based in Poland.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and operational management of large-scale and hyperscale data center infrastructure programs, ensuring compliance with established delivery standards, methodologies, and processes.
• Oversee end-to-end data center deployments, including structured cabling, network infrastructure, power and space planning, installation activities, and ongoing Day 2 operations.
• Develop and maintain multi-year program roadmaps aligned with client requirements, infrastructure expansion plans, and long-term business objectives.
• Provide leadership and oversight to project managers, project coordinators, field supervisors, installation teams, and operational support personnel across multiple concurrent programs.
• Establish program governance frameworks, including organizational structures, RACI matrices, communication plans, escalation procedures, and stakeholder management processes.
• Act as the primary executive point of contact for assigned clients, ensuring alignment on project scope, timelines, risks, deliverables, and performance expectations.
• Conduct regular client business reviews covering program performance, financial results, risks, operational challenges, and strategic growth opportunities.
• Partner with account management teams to understand client needs, develop scalable service offerings, strengthen relationships, and identify opportunities to expand existing accounts.
• Lead the development and approval of program and project plans, including work breakdown structures (WBS), organizational breakdown structures (OBS), requirements management, cost estimates, material planning, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Oversee infrastructure installation and construction activities, ensuring adherence to approved designs, technical specifications, safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Coordinate with supply chain and procurement teams to ensure timely sourcing, availability, and delivery of equipment and materials.
• Develop Statements of Work (SOWs), evaluate subcontractor proposals, and negotiate pricing and delivery terms with installation partners and subcontractors.
• Provide strategic oversight of Day 2 support operations across multiple active data center environments, maintaining service quality, operational reliability, and client satisfaction.
• Own the profit and loss (P&L) performance of assigned programs, ensuring financial accuracy, profitability, and effective cost management.
• Manage revenue forecasting, budgets, cost tracking, margin performance, resource allocation, and financial reporting across the program portfolio.
• Enforce project control standards covering scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and change management.
• Review proposals, pricing models, and Statements of Work during pre-sales activities, contributing to commercial strategy and delivery feasibility assessments.
• Support contract negotiations involving master service agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work, licensing arrangements, and post-installation support agreements.
• Mentor, coach, and develop project management and operational teams, fostering accountability, leadership capability, and consistent execution.
• Drive continuous improvement across delivery methodologies, operational processes, project management office (PMO) standards, workforce planning, and resource management.
• Promote operational scalability and the adoption of industry best practices to improve delivery efficiency and business performance.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), identify performance gaps, and implement corrective actions to achieve established organizational targets.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is required. Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification or an equivalent advanced program management credential is preferred.
• Approximately 10–12 years of total professional experience, including 8–10 years in project management and 4–5 years in program management.
• Demonstrated experience leading at least three programs, each valued at $100 million or more.
• Extensive expertise in data center operations and large-scale or hyperscale infrastructure deployments.
• Proven success managing complex, multi-site programs involving multiple workstreams, significant budgets, demanding delivery schedules, and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience leading matrixed teams across multiple geographies, with the ability to coordinate global resources and drive consistent execution.
• Strong understanding of data center infrastructure delivery.