Principal Change Manager

Switch; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Remote options

Job summary

Switch is seeking a Principal Change Manager to elevate how high-risk changes are planned and executed across data center operations. You will identify root causes, design robust controls, and lead teams in applying standardized change processes. The role demands deep ITIL knowledge and strong cross-functional leadership.

You will guide Change Managers, develop SOPs, and ensure safe, reliable client operations with effective risk management across facilities, network, and platforms.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in change enablement, data center ops, or related field.
• Experience designing controls for high-risk operational changes.
• Strong ITIL change enablement knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Identify root causes of recurring change failures and define problems clearly.
• Design change processes, controls, standards, and decision tools.
• Build readiness criteria, go/no-go gates, verification steps, backout requirements, and standard MOP/SOPs.
• Turn incidents and near-misses into reusable standards and safeguards.
• Use change data to identify failure patterns and prioritise improvements.
• Develop and test solutions before scaling them across teams.
• Create standard change pathways for safe routine work with oversight.
• Collaborate across Operations, Facilities, Network, Platform, Security, and client teams.

Skills

Change enablement

ITIL change

Risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation & SOPs

Data-driven analysis

Stakeholder communication

Outlook / Word / Excel / PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

High school diploma or equivalent

ITIL certification preferred

Tools

MOPs

SOPs

Change templates

Templates and safeguards

Job description

At Switch, we don’t just design, build and operate data centers—we are enabling the technology of the future. Led by Founder & CEO, Rob Roy, we believe in revolutionary innovation, operational excellence and the principle of karma. Switch is where talented people come together to EVOLVE the digital world.

We believe that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people, culture, and purpose that make it happen. Every Switch team member contributes to a mission greater than themselves: to create the world’s most advanced digital infrastructure that powers the progress of humanity.

The Role: Principal Change Manager

The Principal Change Manager improves how complex and high-risk changes are planned and executed across Switch data center operations. You will identify the root causes behind change failures and turn them into practical standards, controls, and safeguards. You will set direction within change enablement and solve complex problems that span technical and operational teams. You will also serve as a senior resource for Change Managers and teams handling complex or high-risk changes.

What You’ll Do

• Identify the root causes of recurring change failures and define problems clearly enough for teams to act on them.
• Design change processes, controls, standards, and decision tools that reduce human error and operational risk.
• Build readiness criteria, go/no-go gates, verification steps, backout requirements, and standard MOP and SOP patterns.
• Turn lessons from incidents and near misses into reusable standards, templates, and safeguards.
• Use change data and post-change reviews to identify failure patterns and prioritize improvements.
• Develop and test solutions for complex change problems before scaling them across teams.
• Create standard and pre-approved change pathways that allow routine work to be completed safely with appropriate oversight.
• Work across Operations, Facilities, Network, Platform and Systems, Security, and client teams to make sure change controls reflect real operating conditions.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex or high-risk change issues.
• Coach Change Managers, engineers, and operators on change practices and the use of new standards and controls.
• Write clear problem statements, design documents, standards, and procedures that teams can use consistently.

What We’re Looking For

• You bring structure to unclear problems and define a practical path forward.
• You separate symptoms from root causes before recommending a solution.
• You consider system dependencies, operational risk, and potential impact when making decisions.
• You communicate critical information clearly and directly, especially when teams need to make risk-based decisions.
• You follow through on commitments and build processes others can rely on.
• You work across teams to solve problems without relying on positional authority.
• You use incidents, near misses, and operating data to improve how work gets done.
• You keep safe, reliable operations and the client experience at the center of change decisions.

What You’ll Bring

• 10+ years of relevant experience in change enablement, critical infrastructure, data center operations, or a closely related field, with deep expertise in change management.
• Strong knowledge of ITIL change enablement, including Standard, Normal, and Emergency change models.
• Experience designing controls for high-risk operational changes, including readiness, approval, verification, and backout requirements.
• Working knowledge of data center infrastructure and operational constraints, including facilities, network, hardware, cabling, maintenance windows, and team handoffs.
• Experience creating clear MOPs, SOPs, change templates, standards, and other operational documentation.
• Experience using change metrics, incidents, and near misses to identify risk and improve processes.
• Strong written communication skills, including experience documenting complex problems and decisions for cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• ITIL certification preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.

Why Switch?

• A Culture of Karma – We are self-motivated by karma, ensuring our actions contribute to a positive, supportive and forward-thinking environment.
• Industry Leading Designs – Work with the most advanced data center technology on the planet and be a part of emerging technology development.
• Flexibility & Remote Opportunities – Whether in-office, hybrid, or fully remote, we offer the technology and support to keep teams connected and productive.
• Career Stability & Growth – In this expanding industry, we invest in our people, providing opportunities & advancement in a stable, growing company.
• Generous Benefits Package - Switch provides comprehensive coverage for you and your family that can be tailored to fit your personal needs, and more!

Join Us & Make a Difference

This is more than a job—it’s a mission. If you’re ready to be part of a culture that values innovation, karma, and limitless potential, we want to hear from you.

Switch provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants. Switch is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. In accordance with applicable law and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), Switch prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service member status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws. Switch’s commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in Switch’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee or agent of Switch, including supervisors and coworkers. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.