Director Datacenter Operations

asobbi; New Jersey; On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data infrastructure provider in New Jersey is seeking a Data Center Director to oversee the operations of a large-scale data centre supporting AI and HPC workloads. The role requires extensive leadership experience managing diverse teams, deep knowledge of large-scale systems, and a commitment to operational excellence. Responsibilities include ensuring 24/7 availability, overseeing complex operational strategies, and managing relationships with stakeholders and vendors. This is a full-time position with a strong focus on technology and infrastructure management.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in large-scale data centers or AI/HPC environments.
• Proven leadership of operations with over 100 team members.
• Experience with high availability in mission-critical settings.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation of a large-scale data centre campus.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary on-site team.
• Ensure 24/7 availability and compliance.

Skills

Leadership of large technical teams

Stakeholder management

High-density compute knowledge

Vendor management

Operational excellence

Education

Degree in Engineering

Certifications in data centre operations

Job description

Building World Class Teams - DC / Cloud / HPC / AI / ML - US and Europe

Data Center Director

Overview

The Data Center Director is responsible for the overall operation, performance, and strategic development of a large-scale, mission‑critical data centre campus supporting high‑density AI and HPC workloads. This individual will lead a substantial, multi‑disciplinary on‑site team and oversee all operational, engineering, and service delivery functions across a 300MW facility.

This is a senior, hands‑on leadership role requiring deep experience in hyperscale or AI‑focused environments, strong stakeholder management, and a relentless focus on uptime, safety, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Own full operational responsibility for a large‑scale (300MW) data centre campus supporting AI / HPC infrastructure
• Lead and develop a large on‑site team across operations, engineering, facilities, and vendor partners
• Ensure 24/7 availability, resilience, and compliance within a mission‑critical environment
• Set and execute operational strategy aligned with long‑term capacity growth and AI infrastructure demand
• Oversee power, cooling, and mechanical/electrical systems supporting high‑density GPU deployments
• Act as senior escalation point for critical incidents, outages, and major client issues
• Drive operational excellence through KPIs, SLAs, preventative maintenance, and continuous improvement
• Manage relationships with hyperscale customers, colocation clients, and key technology partners
• Ensure all health, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards are met and exceeded
• Lead vendor selection, contract management, and performance reviews
• Own budgeting, cost control, and operational planning for the data centre estate
• Oversee change management, commissioning, and expansion activity across live environments
• Ensure accurate documentation, procedures, and operational playbooks are maintained
• Collaborate with corporate leadership on capacity planning, sustainability, and future site strategy

Experience & Background

• Significant experience leading operations within large‑scale data centres, hyperscale, or AI/HPC environments
• Proven leadership of large technical teams (100+ headcount across shifts and functions)
• Strong understanding of high‑density compute, GPU infrastructure, and AI workload requirements
• Experience managing complex M&E systems at scale (power, cooling, redundancy)
• Track record of delivering high availability in mission‑critical environments
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, high‑growth infrastructure settings
• Strong commercial, stakeholder, and vendor management capability

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Data Centre Operations, Facilities Management, or a related discipline preferred
• Relevant industry certifications (data centre, electrical, mechanical, operational leadership) advantageous

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Management and Engineering

Industries: IT Services and IT Consulting

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