Site Operations Manager
Location: Onsite - Orangeburg, SC
Reporting to: Infrastructure & DCO
OverviewThe Site Operations Manager is responsible for the overall management, reliability, and performance of data center operations at a designated facility. This role leads site operations teams, ensures compliance with safety and operational standards, maintains critical infrastructure availability, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to support customer and business objectives. The Site Operations Manager serves as the primary operational leader for the facility, overseeing maintenance, incident response, vendor management, capacity planning, and operational excellence.
Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership
- Manage day-to-day data center operations, ensuring maximum uptime and reliability of critical infrastructure systems.
- Lead and develop site operations personnel, including hiring, training, performance management, and succession planning.
- Establish and maintain operational procedures, policies, and best practices.
- Serve as the escalation point for critical incidents and operational issues.
Critical Facility Management - Oversee operation and maintenance of critical systems including:
- Electrical distribution systems
- UPS systems
- Generators
- Switchgear
- HVAC and cooling systems
- Fire detection and suppression systems
- Building Management Systems (BMS)
- Environmental monitoring systems
- Ensure preventive and corrective maintenance activities are executed according to established schedules.
Reliability & Incident Management - Lead incident response and root cause analysis activities.
- Develop corrective and preventive action plans to mitigate recurring issues.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to uptime, maintenance, and operational efficiency.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve reliability and operational performance.
Safety & Compliance - Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all safety policies and procedures.
- Ensure adherence to OSHA regulations, environmental standards, and company safety requirements.
- Manage site compliance with industry standards such as:
- Uptime Institute standards
- ISO 27001
- SOC 1 / SOC 2
- NIST frameworks
- Conduct regular audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
Vendor & Contractor Management - Manage relationships with maintenance providers, contractors, and service vendors.
- Oversee contractor work activities, ensuring compliance with safety and operational requirements.
- Review vendor performance and service-level agreements (SLAs).
Financial & Capacity Management - Develop and manage site operational budgets.
- Monitor operational expenditures and identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Support capacity planning and infrastructure expansion projects.
- Participate in capital planning and forecasting activities.
Customer & Stakeholder Support - Serve as a key operational contact for customers and internal stakeholders.
- Support audits, customer visits, and operational reviews.
- Provide regular reporting on site performance, risks, and improvement initiatives.
Experience & QualificationsRequired
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Operations Management, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- 7+ years of experience in critical facilities, data center operations, or mission-critical environments.
- 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
- Strong understanding of electrical and mechanical infrastructure systems in a data center environment.
- Experience managing preventive maintenance programs and vendor relationships.
- Knowledge of safety programs including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), electrical safety, and permit-to-work systems.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred - Experience operating Tier III or Tier IV data centers.
- Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP), Certified Data Centre Management Professional (CDCMP), or similar certifications.
- PMP, Six Sigma, or Lean certification.
- Familiarity with CMMS, BMS, EPMS, and DCIM platforms.
- Experience supporting colocation, hyperscale, or enterprise data center environments.
Physical Requirements - Ability to work in a data center environment, including walking, climbing ladders, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to respond to after-hours emergencies and participate in an on-call rotation.
- Occasional travel may be required.
Compensation- Full-Time, Exempt
- $110,000-$140,000/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
