VP of Operations

H5 Data Centers; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

H5 Data Centers in Ashburn, VA seeks a VP of Operations to lead day‑to‑day and strategic direction for its colocation facilities. You will report to the SVP Operations and drive reliability, security, and premier service delivery while driving continuous improvement.

You will oversee physical infrastructure, power, cooling, networking and security; coordinate with engineering and facilities teams; and interface with construction to expand data centers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, business administration, or related field.
• 7+ years in data center operations management.
• Experience with P&L management and vendor negotiations.
• In-depth knowledge of data center infrastructure and security protocols.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills for cross‑functional collaboration.
• Certifications such as CDCDP or CDCMP are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for the operational functions of colocation data centers.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and standards for performance and regulatory compliance.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability with a focus on customer service.
• Oversee maintenance and upkeep of physical infrastructure including power, cooling, networking, and security systems.
• Coordinate with engineering and facilities teams to ensure uninterrupted operation of critical infrastructure.
• Interface with construction teams to engineer, propose, and expand data centers.
• Implement best practices for safety, energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental management.
• Ensure high service availability and meet or exceed SLAs.
• Collaborate with sales and service delivery teams to meet client requirements and deliver customized solutions.
• Monitor KPIs and metrics to identify improvement opportunities and optimize delivery processes.
• Maintain high customer retention and satisfaction, manage expectations.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets for datacenter sites.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Budget management

Vendor negotiations

Data center infrastructure

Regulatory compliance

Team development

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering/Business

Advanced degree preferred

CDCDP or CDCMP certifications desirable

Job description

Salary Range: $180,000.00 To $230,000.00 Annually

Job Description:

As the VP of Operations for our colocation data centers, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of our facilities. Reporting directly to the SVP Operations, you will be responsible for ensuring the efficient functioning of all operational aspects, maintaining high standards of reliability, security, and service delivery while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for the operational functions of colocation data centers.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and standards to ensure optimal performance and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability among operational teams with an obsession towards superior customer service.

Facility Management

• Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of all physical infrastructure, including power systems, cooling systems, networking equipment, and security systems.
• Coordinate with engineering and facilities management teams to ensure uninterrupted operation of critical infrastructure.
• Interface with construction teams to engineer, propose, and build/ expand data centers.
• Implement best practices for safety programs, operational integrity, energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental management.

Service Delivery

• Ensure the highest levels of service availability and reliability for clients, meeting or exceeding SLAs (Service Level Agreements).
• Collaborate with sales and service delivery teams to understand client requirements and deliver customized solutions.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to identify areas for improvement and optimize service delivery processes.
• Responsible for maintaining high customer retention, satisfaction, and managing customer expectations.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets for colocation datacenter sites, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives and financial targets.
• Monitor financial performance against budgeted targets, analyzing variances and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure all tenant improvement costs are passed through to clients.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Develop and maintain comprehensive risk management strategies to mitigate potential threats to data center operations, including security breaches, equipment failures, and natural disasters.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations, and certifications relevant to colocation data center operations (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA).

Team Development and Management

• Recruit, train, and mentor high-performing teams of operational professionals, fostering their professional growth, development, and retention.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for team members, promoting a culture of continuous learning, improvement, and customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Business Administration, or other related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Proven experience (7+ years) in data center operations management, with a track record of success in leading teams and driving operational excellence.
• Experience with P&L management and negotiating with vendors to contract signature
• In-depth knowledge of data center infrastructure, including power distribution, HVAC systems, networking technologies, controls, and physical security protocols.
• Strong understanding of industry standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in data center operations and management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on driving continuous improvement and innovation.
• Certifications such as Certified Data Centre Design Professional (CDCDP) or Certified Data Centre Management Professional (CDCMP) are highly desirable.