Director of Data Center & Site Operations
STN Inc · Remote
The Data Center & Site Operations Manager is responsible for leading physical infrastructure delivery and ongoing operational readiness across global data center environments. This role bridges the gap between initial build-out and lifecycle management, overseeing Day 1 rack-and-stack deployment execution and governing steady-state Day 2 activities—including infrastructure scaling, hardware expansions, migrations, break-fix governance, and continuous operational optimizations.
The ideal candidate combines strong program management, deployment operations expertise, vendor coordination, and cross-functional leadership to ensure high availability, operational consistency, and scalable deployment execution across multiple regions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Global Deployment Operations
- Partner with architecture, engineering, and capacity teams to plan and execute Day 1 infrastructure deployments, ensuring hardware delivery, physical layout, rack-and-stack, and initial cabling meet global design standards.
- Lead Day 2 deployment activities across global data center sites including expansions, refreshes, migrations, retrofits, and operational upgrades.
- Coordinate deployment execution for compute, storage, networking, cabling, and infrastructure changes.
- Manage deployment schedules, implementation timelines, and resource planning across multiple concurrent projects.
- Drive operational readiness and turnover from construction/build teams into live operations environments.
- Oversee change implementation while minimizing operational risk and service disruption.
Program & Project Management
- Develop deployment roadmaps, execution plans, and operational milestones spanning Day 1 build-out and Day 2 steady-state activities.
- Track deployment KPIs, timelines, budgets, and vendor performance metrics.
- Manage risks, escalations, dependencies, and issue resolution throughout deployment lifecycle.
- Ensure alignment between engineering, operations, logistics, and site teams.
- Provide executive-level reporting on deployment progress, capacity readiness, and operational impacts.
Operational Excellence
- Establish and improve standardized deployment processes, SOPs, and operational playbooks for both Day 1 build-out and Day 2 steady-state execution.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and deployment velocity.
- Ensure compliance with operational standards, safety requirements, and change management policies.
- Support incident response coordination for deployment-related operational issues.
- Partner with capacity planning and infrastructure teams to support scaling strategies.
Site Operations Leadership
- Oversee site-level operational functions including:
- Superintendent / General Manager leadership
- Site Operations Managers
- Site Administration
- EHS / Safety programs and compliance
- Inventory coordination and planning with logistics partner teams.
- Ensure coordination between deployment activities and ongoing site operations teams to maintain operational continuity, safety, and service availability.
- Drive alignment across facilities, security, logistics, and operational stakeholders to support scalable global site operations.
Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Manage third-party deployment vendors, integrators, and logistics providers.
- Coordinate with global site operations, engineering, network, facilities, and supply chain teams.
- Facilitate deployment readiness reviews and stakeholder communications.
- Ensure vendor SLAs and deployment quality standards are met consistently.
Capacity & Lifecycle Management
- Support infrastructure lifecycle management including refreshes, decommissions, and hardware replacement programs.
- Coordinate deployment sequencing and operational validation for lifecycle refresh and replacement activities.
- Assist with forecasting deployment capacity needs and regional operational requirements.
- Ensure inventory accuracy and deployment asset tracking.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 7+ years of experience in data center operations, infrastructure deployment, technical program management, or related field.
- Experience managing large-scale global infrastructure deployment programs.
- Hands-on experience with Day 1 site build-out and rack-and-stack execution, including turnover from construction into live operations.
- Strong understanding of data center infrastructure including:
- Compute/server deployments
- Network infrastructure
- Cabling systems
- Power/cooling dependencies
- Hardware lifecycle management
- Experience with change management and operational governance processes.
- Proven ability to manage cross-functional global teams and vendors.
- Strong project/program management skills with experience managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
Preferred
- Experience in hyperscale or enterprise data center environments.
- PMP, PRINCE2, ITIL, or related certifications.
- Familiarity with DCIM tools, ticketing systems, and deployment tracking platforms.
- Experience with automation and deployment optimization initiatives.
- Knowledge of capacity management and operational analytics.
- Strong understanding of service availability and operational risk management.
COMPENSATION
- Full-Time, Exempt
- $160,000-$220,000/year, DOE
BENEFITS
- Health Coverage – Medical, Dental & Vision
- FSA Health and Dependent Care available
- 401(k) Plan
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Observed Holidays Paid
- Cell Phone Allowance
- Collaborative, growth-driven culture