Critical Operations Manager

THE COMPANY:

STACK INFRASTRUCTURE (STACK) provides digital infrastructure to scale the world’s most innovative companies. We are an award-winning industry leader in building, owning, and operating highly efficient, cost-effective wholesale, colocation, and cloud data centers. Each of our national facilities meet or exceed the highest industry standards in all operational categories of availability, security, connectivity, and physical resilience.

STACK offers the scale and geographic reach that rapidly growing hyperscale and enterprise companies need. The world runs on data. Data runs on STACK.

THE POSITION:

STACK is looking for a Critical Operations Manager (COM) to support a local data center campus. As a leader in STACK’s Critical Operations team, the COM must possess an expert level of knowledge and will be responsible for assisting the Senior Director, Critical Operations in maintaining the mechanical, electrical, fire life safety, base building, and other various internal data center systems. The COM is responsible for all operational aspects and uptime of the data center.

The COM will also be focused on the implementation of programs related to Safety, Team, Availability, Communication, and Knowledge. All data center operations staff will report to the Critical Operations Manager. The COM is responsible for the implementation of the Data Center Operations Program at their site and is responsible for employee training and ensuring all staff is adequately qualified to perform their duties. Holding regular team meetings and individual 1:1 sessions is required.

The COM will develop and maintain CAPEX and OPEX budgets at the site level. They will also be responsible for project execution and management including developing scopes, obtaining proposals, creating purchase requisitions, and ensuring invoices are routed properly. The COM is a people leader and will be responsible for the performance and conduct of all critical operations employees.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and implement a standardized culture of always working safely across all STACK data centers.
• Serve as datacenter subject matter expert for electrical, mechanical, fire life safety, and other data center systems.
• Advise the Senior Director, Critical Operations on the status of site-level preventative and corrective maintenance programs.
• Operate, monitor, maintain, and respond to abnormal conditions within the facility.
• Implement site-level efficiency projects and maintain overall site design PUE.
• Ensure STACK preventative and predictive maintenance program is executed.
• Train and mentor junior staff.
• Manage vendor relationships and service contracts, including procurement and billing processes.
• Develop and manage site budgeting and forecasting for both CapEx and OpEx.
• Create highly detailed technical procedures for maintenance events, emergency situations, and standard site evolutions.
• Ensure construction and commissioning activities do not impact existing critical operations.
• Develop and maintain individual training plans for each employee aligned with STACK’s training and development program.
• Act as a customer liaison for all site-level inquiries.
• Lead incident reporting and root cause analysis processes for abnormal occurrences within the data center.
• Perform expert technical review of procedures, company standards, and policies.
• Manage site audits, both internal and external, ensuring adherence to compliance standards.
• Manage systems to avoid unplanned, customer-impacting outages.
• Manage the data floor and back of house mechanical loading capacity to ensure cooling system efficiency.
• Navigate and utilize CMS, EPMS, and BMS systems.
• Provide day-to-day exceptional customer service and support.
• Be available on-call as required to respond to emergency situations at the data center.
• Perform other duties as required by STACK. Job duties, roles, and responsibilities are subject to change over time.

The site staff includes Assistant Critical Operations Manager and Critical Operations Technicians. The expected span of control for this position will range from 4 to 12 direct reports.

MUST-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in a data center or other related mission-critical operations role.
• 3-5 years' experience in administering and managing facility preventative maintenance programs.
• 3-5 years' experience in vendor and project management.
• Knowledge of data center (hyperscale, enterprise, and colocation) and telecommunications industries.
• Experience working with various Microsoft Office applications and other database housing software.
• Ability to handle a multitude of tasks and work well in stressful situations.
• Expert understanding of electrical and mechanical systems used in a data center environment, including UPS, Transformers, PDU’s, RPP’s, Chillers, CRAH, CRAC, STS, ATS, and Pre-action systems.
• Expert knowledge of NFPA70e, NFPA72, NFPA25, and compliance issues as well as building codes related to fire life safety.
• Expert knowledge and experience in data center trending and analysis, with the ability to rapidly learn and use PC-based site monitoring systems.
• Proficient in data center commissioning standards.
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle, reach or feel objects, climb stairs, balance, stoop or kneel, talk, see at close range, and hear for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours, including weekends, late nights, holidays, and on-call support.
• Comfortable working in a high stress, fast paced environment with shifting priorities.

THIS MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR YOU IF:

• You’re a strong communicator, blending analytics with experience in decision-making.
• You don’t get flustered easily.
• You can juggle multiple priorities while balancing urgent requests with shifting timelines and deliverables.
• You’re a teambuilder who understands and develops the strengths of your resources while formulating long-term plans for growth and success.
• You’re naturally curious and driven toward continual improvement.
• While you celebrate your successes, you take time to review and analyze campaigns for future learning.

THE DETAILS:

• Location: Leesburg, VA
• Travel: up to 20% domestically
• Compensation: $180,000 - $210,000 + Annual Bonus Potential
• Benefits: Healthcare, Dental Care, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Paid Leave Programs
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Must pass a comprehensive background screening

WHY STACK?

We offer a competitive compensation package with strong benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program and flexible spending accounts. We foster a culture of appreciation, including monthly and quarterly rewards and recognition programs. Fun is part of our DNA, with (currently virtual) events, game nights, and barbecues. We’re growing – this is a great time to join and make an impact!

STACK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Note to external agencies: We are not accepting any blind submissions or resumes/CVs from recruitment agencies. Any candidates sent to STACK Infrastructure will not be accepted or considered as a submission without a signed agreement in place.