Strategic Operations Director

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Job Summary

A Strategic (Cross Functional) operations director reporting to the Country Vice president of operations, and working with key stakeholders to define, plan, monitor, support and train site engineering and technician-related operational excellence in service to the Data Center site operations team and customers. Working with the Country/Sub-Regional Data Center Ops department leaders, they are responsible for budget oversight, asset management, site focused training and QAQC, security operations, sub-regional engineering review and leading a team to deliver the highest possible operational standards across the sub-region and compliance to global standards.

Anticipates high-impact issues and leads the development of strategies for mitigating. Collaborates with global leaders to develop and implement operational strategy and systems roadmap, and forecasts global operational training needs and documentation strategy.

Responsibilities
Team Management

• Leads teams of managers across multiple disciplines providing strategic guidance and direction to drive team results

• Partners with Data Center Site Operations, Data Center Ops Project Management, Data Center Ops Compliance, and Global Design & Construction, along with other relevant stakeholders to lead, manage, and deliver infrastructure operational excellence, site engineering & technician process control, OPEX budget oversight, asset management and sub-regional level engineering reviews

• Leads by example, creating a supportive, team-driven environment encouraging growth and opportunity

• Recruits, retains, develops, coaches, and leads personnel in multiple cross-regional or country Data Center locations

Engineering Support (e.g. Controls)

• UK/Campus level engineering reviews (e.g. change control) and risk mitigation (e.g. Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, DCIM / IT Systems)

• Oversees installation, maintenance, and repair of control systems and recommends system-level enhancements

• Review and involvement in new data center builds and expansions, supporting and partnering with Global Design and Construction as well as the data center Ops site leads

• Coordinates with the Operations team to perform asset management / Maximo administration

Budgeting /Expense Analysis /Purchasing

• Leads financial activities, including budget generation and ongoing forecasts, purchase decision evaluation, fund reallocation, and due diligence throughout the organization's headcount, capital, and expense purview

• Proactively identifies & accounts for any budget variances. Focuses on financial reporting and analysis of Capital Expenditures (Project and customer-facing) and Operating Expenses (including R&M)

• Collaborates with Data Center Operations to create Purchase Requisitions validate PR accuracy and completeness, secure approvals, and coordinate contractual obligations with Legal

• Leads multi-Data Center/Country maintenance contracts

Facilities Services

• Oversees Janitorial contract and supplier

• Oversees security contract with security CoE

Concierge

• Accountable for creating a customer-centric experience for customers entering a Data Center facility through in-person and onsite customer service activities

• This includes coordinating access enrolments, entering work visit tickets, fast pass enrolment, scheduling conference rooms, and tracking customer inquiries and issues to resolution

• Oversees the execution of various administrative tasks, managing Data Center work queues, tracking uniform distribution to employees, completes basic reporting, and ensures the customer areas are well maintained 

Operations Support

• Provides Training for Operational policies and procedures. SME for technical and policy issues

• Utilizes site/quality audits and develops curriculum to provide training to drive global consistency and risk mitigation

• Coordinates and plans technical training for operational excellence

• Is accountable for Siebel support, Network Infrastructure Engineering, and Reporting/Administration

• Leads teams managing inventory, purchase orders, and contracts related to site upkeep and site amenities

Security Operations

• Reviews and recommends system-level enhancements

• Monitors security vendors to ensure adherence to Equinix policies and procedures to provide a consistent customer experience across all sites.

• Collaborates with regional and Global Security to ensure requirements for access and surveillance are met.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven years of increasingly responsible Financial Planning & Analysis experience with a focus on Operational expenses

• Data Centre experience is preferred, critical facility operations experience within a manufacturing or other capital-intensive operation is also helpful

• High-level knowledge related to physical security, control systems, and network infrastructure. Demonstrates a high understanding of technical systems of critical infrastructure environment

• Ability to navigate complex situations with a calm, professional approach including conflict resolution combined with communicating with Equinix employees, customers, and vendors

• Negotiation skills combined with purchasing and/or accounts payable experience helpful

• Deep subject matter expertise required across multiple areas -dynamic and skilled up and down various areas (Finance, Operations, Controls, etc)

Skills and Attributes

• Strategic thinking with a strong stakeholder management

• Creates a culture of openness and information sharing. Builds consensus via shared decision-making. Builds trust through regular, open, and honest communication. Always delivers bad news quickly and tactfully and follows up with suggested remediation. Speaks persuasively and with authority, using facts and metrics. Creates a work environment based on inclusiveness, welcoming others' suggestions and points of view

• Experienced and skilled leader utilizing a collaborative approach to deliver exceptional results. Keeps the big picture in mind and develops strategies to drive continuous improvement

• Experience in employee escalation resolution

• Proven leader who can manage up and down the organizational chart and is skilled at leading diverse organizational structures

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability. If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or accommodation, please let us know by completing  this form .

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy/childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political/organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.