Senior Director, Data Center Operations

JLL; Round Rock (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL in Round Rock, TX is seeking a Data Center Operations Director to lead the client account's data center portfolio, ensure uptime, and drive financial and service performance across engineering services and critical environments.

You will guide teams, manage budgets, coordinate with stakeholders, oversee commissioning and archiving of critical documents, and implement service strategies that meet strict service levels.

Qualifications

• 10+ years operational experience with responsibility for leading teams in critical data center environments.
• Proven track record operating in high-criticality, complex enterprise data center portfolio environments.
• Strong technical foundation in Electrical/Mechanical engineering; PE is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage all engineering services activities and interface with client personnel to ensure contract compliance and service levels.
• Oversee reporting and ensure contractual compliance.
• Lead day-to-day performance of the team and deliver services within defined service levels.
• Review metrics and analytics to keep portfolio within goals.
• Monitor cost savings and value contributions of the team.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and support strategic portfolio planning.
• Ensure proper maintenance of critical infrastructure documentation and archives.

Skills

Data Center Operations

Leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder Management

Engineering knowledge

Communication skills

Crisis management

BMS/CMMS/IT systems

MS Office/Visio

Project planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

PE certification (preferred)

Tools

CMMS

MS Office

Visio

PowerPoint

BMS

UPS

Generators

ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch)

Job description

Data Center Operations Director :

What this job involves

– The Operations Director is accountable for the overall success of data center operations for the client account, managing resources to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the data center portfolio, maximizing up-time and site efficiencies. This position provides leadership and expertise in the management of all aspects (client service, employee management and development, financial, operational, field execution and oversight) of operations and critical environments. Responsible for interpreting, communicating, and establishing engineering services and critical environments management strategies for supporting the client account. Ensures the integration of all services and that they are delivered within agreed service levels. Provides oversight in all processes and field execution, promoting and fostering relationships while serving as the key services liaison. Owns operational client relationships, implementation of services, and financial success of the assigned portfolio in accordance with the client organization's policies, procedures, and standards.

Day-to-day responsibilities

• Manage all engineering services activities, maintaining interface with the client Corporate Real Estate personnel, ensuring total contract compliance with all criteria and reaching all performance specifications, including quantitative cost savings and qualitative customer service specifications.
• Manage reporting and ensure contractual compliance.
• Accountable for day-to-day performance of the assigned team and delivery of services within stated service levels, processes, and procedures to support and deliver services that achieve performance goals and objectives.
• Review metrics through analytics and other tools to ensure that the portfolio is being managed within goal parameters.
• Measure, monitor, and report cost savings and value-add contributions of the team.
• Provide input and support to strategic planning initiatives and identify portfolio and savings reduction opportunities.
• Interface, collaborate, and develop strong relationships with all stakeholders.
• Ensure accuracy and timely updates to all systems and support tools.
• Support process owners with the implementation of training, education, and expectations to ensure teams adhere to all processes and procedures.
• Provide input to annual financial plans and manage capital within approved plans/budgets while summarizing and sponsoring forecasted or unforeseen expenditures throughout the year.
• Provide oversight and direction of development and approval of critical infrastructure projects, planning guidelines, commissioning, and close-out. Work with key stakeholders to ensure compliance with proper closeout and commissioning requirements, including the collection and archiving of all necessary critical documents. Ensure proper maintenance of archives of drawings, schematics, equipment operations manuals, warranty documents, and other critical information.
• Effectively manage communications across regions/geographies between the team and customer contacts, particularly in instances of critical emergencies (i.e., system failure, downtime), including managing root cause analysis to avoid repeat failures or lapses in service delivery.
• Ensure all properties are operated, maintained, and tested in accordance with local, state, and national requirements overlaid by those required and expected by the client organization, including critical processes and reporting requirements.
• Manage suppliers and direct reports, effectively utilizing suppliers and account team resources for the effective delivery of maintenance and repair services in support of critical environments.
• Develop succession planning programs, including on/off-boarding programs that support account rotation, employee exiting, and new employees.

Qualifications

• 10+ years operational experience with responsibility for leading teams in critical data center environments
• Proven track record operating in high-criticality, complex enterprise data center portfolio environments
• Strong technical foundation preferred: Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, ideally with Professional Engineer (PE) certification
• Demonstrated leadership skills in managing people and customers; strong oral and written communication, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Strong strategic thinker and planner with ability to develop and create alternative ways to proceed
• Strong analytical ability to assess all factors that might affect a situation, recommend and execute solutions
• Strong organizational skills to arrange resources for maximum productivity
• Strong judgment, problem-solving, and crisis management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Fundamental skills in critical systems such as emergency/stand-by generators, automatic transfer switches, un-interruptible power supply (UPS) systems, power distribution systems, UPS batteries, etc.
• Technically proficient in operations of Building Management Systems, Life Safety Systems, CMMS, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Visio, and Microsoft Outlook software
• Extensive electrical, mechanical, and plumbing knowledge of commercial facilities with a very strong background in critical data center operations
• Proven record of providing excellent internal and external customer service

About JLL

We’re JLL—a leading professional services and investment management firm specializing in real estate. We have operations in over 80 countries and a workforce of over 102,000 individuals around the world who help real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. As a global Fortune 500 company, we also have an inherent responsibility to drive sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

That’s why we’re committed to our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world. We’re using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people, and our communities.

Our core values of teamwork, ethics and excellence are also fundamental to everything we do and we’re honored to be recognized with awards for our success by organizations both globally and locally.

Creating a diverse and inclusive culture where we all feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to achieve our full potential is important to who we are today and where we’re headed in the future. And we know that unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives help us think bigger, spark innovation, and succeed together.