Data Center Manager - Somerset, NJ (Hybrid)

Russell Tobin; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell Tobin is seeking a Data Center Manager (Contract) based in Somerset, NJ with hybrid work arrangements. The role pays $55-$60/hr on W2 and requires senior leadership to drive operational performance of global data center hardware services across the Americas.

You will oversee incident management, change management, cost controls, and vendor relationships, ensuring 24x7 escalation coverage and alignment with business goals in a fast-paced data center environment.

Qualifications

• Degree‑level education or demonstrable equivalent experience in a critical operations environment.
• Strong understanding of managed service contracts, vendor performance, and RFP leadership.
• Experience managing sizeable P&L with disciplined budget controls.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership across regions and time zones.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior operational leadership for IT hardware services across the Americas data center portfolio.
• Oversee hardware‑related changes, incidents, problems, and post‑incident reviews with RCA.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, emergency and preventive maintenance programs.
• Maintain knowledge of data center design, operating models, and resiliency planning.
• Provide oversight of financial management, cost control, compliance, and safety.
• Deliver management reports on KPIs, OLAs, and governance.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Vendor management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Title: Data Center Manager
Duration: Contract
Location: Somerset, NJ (Hybrid)
Pay Rate Range: $55-$60/hr on W2

Job Description

• The Data Center organization is responsible for the strategy, provisioning, operation, and lifecycle management of the firm's data center portfolio. The organization oversees the end-to-end delivery of data center services, from initial requirements and construction through day-to-day operations, technology placement, rack-and-stack execution, and physical asset lifecycle management.

• The organization supports the firm's business and technology objectives by delivering resilient, scalable, and efficient data center services through a global team. It manages a large portfolio of data center space and critical power infrastructure while maintaining strong operational and financial controls.

• Through a focus on operational excellence, engineering standards, risk management, capacity planning, application migration support, tooling and automation, and strategic execution, the organization is responsible for maintaining the stability, efficiency, and long-term resiliency of the firm's critical data center environments.

Basic Function

• The North American Hardware Break/Fix Operations Manager is responsible for leading the delivery of business-as-usual data center hardware operations across the Americas, including enterprise, colocation, exchange, WAN, and cloud environments.

• This senior leadership role requires a proven ability to drive operational performance, build and develop high-performing teams, foster a strong culture of accountability, and align service delivery with business priorities and technology objectives.

• The position is accountable for the overall operation, maintenance, governance, and service quality of critical Hardware Break/Fix, IMAC, and Smart Hands services supporting IT operations across the Americas data center footprint. Responsibilities include team and talent management, critical event response, incident and problem management, change management, risk mitigation, cost and contract oversight, and ownership of key stakeholder relationships with internal clients and Data Center Operations.

• The role requires the ability to provide or coordinate 24x7 escalation support, including participation in an on-call model and occasional scheduled weekend coverage as business needs require.

Principal Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide senior operational leadership and single-point accountability for the integrated, hands‑on management of IT hardware services across the Client's Americas data center portfolio.

• Own and oversee hardware‑related changes, significant events, incidents, and problems from initiation through closure, including post‑incident reviews, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and management follow‑up.

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve standard operating procedures, emergency response procedures, preventive maintenance programs, and technical documentation.

• Maintain a deep understanding of data center design intent, operating models, contingency plans, and service dependencies to support effective resiliency planning and operational response.

• Provide disciplined oversight of financial management, cost control, regulatory and code compliance, personnel management, staff development, health and safety, statutory obligations, environmental controls, and energy management.

• Deliver regular management reporting that demonstrates operational performance, service quality, and adherence to internal OLAs, SLAs, KPIs, and governance expectations.

• Communicate operating principles, technical direction, objectives, and performance expectations clearly to stakeholders, vendor partners, and critical facilities management teams.

• Manage communications during incidents, ensuring timely, accurate, and authoritative updates to senior management; review incident reports, identify trends, document lessons learned, and recommend corrective actions.

• Oversee internal and external technical, statutory, and regulatory compliance audits, ensuring ownership, timely closure of follow‑up items, and completion of corrective action plans.

• Coordinate with vendor partners and internal teams to resolve incidents during emergency situations, including on‑site dispatch when required to investigate, assess, and support resolution of critical issues.

• Develop, obtain approval for, and execute environmental management and reporting plans that support carbon footprint management, sustainability, and responsible data center operations.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge, skills, and abilities required to qualify for the position.

• Degree‑level education with a relevant professional qualification preferred, or demonstrable equivalent experience in a comparable critical operations environment.

• Strong understanding of managed service contracts, service scope definition, vendor performance management, and technical RFP leadership for new services, rebids, and expanded scope.

• Experience managing a sizeable P&L and operating within disciplined operating and capital budget controls, with strong commercial awareness, business acumen, and financial accountability.

• Proven track record in the development and execution of strategic plans and initiatives.

• Strong understanding of critical support environments, such as data centers, hospitals, power plants, military facilities, financial services facilities, or other mission‑critical operational settings.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, influencing, and analytical skills, with a demonstrated track record of leading, developing, and managing teams across regions, locations, and time zones.

• Strong networking skills, current industry knowledge, and the ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships.

• Ability to produce high‑quality reports and presentations and deliver effective, persuasive communications to senior stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems, assess multiple resolution paths, and deliver effective outcomes in high‑pressure, time‑sensitive situations.

• Previous vendor negotiation and management experience for data center and/or construction contracts.

• Ability to write and review accurate and complete support procedures, system documentation, and issue tracking entries.

• Sound judgment and strong decision‑making capability under pressure, with the ability to prioritize effectively and communicate clearly across a complex, fast‑paced stakeholder environment.

• Customer‑focused service delivery mindset, with a commitment to meeting the needs of internal stakeholders, business partners, and technology clients.

Key Relationships

• The role requires close collaboration with representatives from Critical Infrastructure, Corporate Services, Security, Reengineering, Expense Management, Real Estate, IT Groups, and external vendors.
• The individual must be able to develop and maintain effective working relationships across regions and time zones.
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For workers in the United States, PrideGlobal and its affiliates offers eligible employee’s comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), supplemental coverage (accident insurance, critical illness insurance and hospital indemnity), 401(k)-retirement savings, life & disability insurance, an employee assistance program, legal support, pet insurance and employee discounts with preferred vendors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

PrideGlobal and its affiliates are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decision making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Fair Chance Employment

PrideGlobal and its affiliates are a Fair Chance employer. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local Fair Chance laws and ordinances, including, the California Fair Chance Act and all applicable local Fair Chance ordinances.

Accommodations

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact us.

Only applicable for San Francisco Candidates: Under the San Francisco Lactation in the Workplace Ordinance, we will provide written notice of lactation accommodation rights, and this notice will automatically be given upon hiring, any inquiry of parental leave or lactation accommodation.

Only applicable for Kentucky positions: For this type of employment, state law requires a criminal record check as a condition of employment. This applies to direct care staff (Examples: RN, LPN, Nurse Aides, Therapists) referred to Kentucky nursing facilities, assisted living communities, or long‑term care facilities, in accordance with KRS 216.793.