The Data Center Operations Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and delivering operational projects that ensure data centers remain safe, secure, reliable, compliant, and scalable. This role partners closely with Operations, Facilities, IT, Security, EHS, IT, and external vendors to deliver projects that directly support uptime, capacity growth, lifecycle management, operational enhancements, and operational excellence.

This role operates within an enterprise PMO framework and applies disciplined project management, change management, and risk management practices in a 24x7 mission-critical environment. This role directly protects uptime, safety, and customer trust. The Data Center Operations Project Manager ensures that necessary change happens without compromising reliability, enabling the organization to grow, modernize, and operate at scale.

Project Delivery & Execution

Lead end-to-end delivery of data center operations projects including:

• Facility upgrades and retrofits
• Power, cooling, and mechanical/electrical improvements
• Capacity expansions and space optimization
• Equipment refresh and lifecycle replacement
• Operational readiness and turnover initiatives
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget while minimizing operational risk.

Operational Risk & Reliability

• Plan and execute projects in live production environments with zero or minimal impact to uptime.
• Coordinate maintenance windows, cutovers, and change events in alignment with operations and change management processes.
• Identify operational risks early and implement mitigation strategies to protect safety, security, and reliability.

Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Coordination

Serve as the primary point of coordination between:

• Data Center Operations
• Facilities & Engineering
• IT Infrastructure & Network
• Physical Security
• EHS
• Vendors, contractors, and consultants
• Facilitate cross-functional planning sessions, readiness reviews, and project governance checkpoints.
• Communicate project status, risks, and decisions clearly to leadership and operational teams.

Governance, Change & Compliance

• Apply PMO standards, tools, and governance consistently across all projects.
• Manage operational changes as formal project elements, ensuring documentation, approvals, and readiness.
• Ensure projects comply with internal standards and external requirements (e.g., SOC, ISO, NIST, safety regulations, customer SLAs).

Vendor & Financial Management

• Manage vendor selection, onboarding, contracts, and performance.
• Track project financials including forecasts, actuals, and variance analysis.
• Ensure vendors adhere to safety, security, and operational requirements while on-site.

Continuous Improvement

• Capture lessons learned and operational insights from completed projects.
• Recommend improvements to operational processes, standards, and project delivery methods.
• Contribute to a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• Must be located in the Phoenix, AZ metro area and working from Data Center location in Goodyear, AZ.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Information Technology, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of project management experience in data center operations, critical infrastructure, and facilities engineering or IT infrastructure environments
• Proven experience managing projects in live, mission-critical environments.
• Strong understanding of data center operations, including power, cooling, redundancy, and uptime concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent project management certification.
• Experience working within an enterprise PMO.
• Familiarity with Tier standards (Uptime Institute concepts), change management in 24x7 operations, and EHS and physical security requirements
• Experience with project management tools (e.g., Planview AdaptiveWork, Smartsheet, MS Project, or similar platforms).

Core Competencies

• Operational risk awareness and sound judgment
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Clear, concise executive and operational communication
• Ability to influence without direct authority
• Calm, decisive leadership in high-stakes environments
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources

The pay range for this role is between $140,000 - $165,000 (base). Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications, location, and other job-related reasons. Stream Data Centers offers annual bonus, performance bonuses, benefits, flexible time off (vacation), 401k and a variety of other perks and benefits.