Data Center Operations Director

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Data Center Operations Director based in Germany. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced data center professional to oversee large-scale infrastructure deployments and operational programs for hyperscale and enterprise clients. In this role, you will lead end-to-end delivery across multiple programs, ensuring projects meet demanding timelines, budgets, quality standards, and client expectations. You will oversee multidisciplinary teams spanning engineering, project management, field services, supply chain, installation, and operational support. With responsibility for financial performance, revenue forecasting, profitability, and resource planning, you will play a critical role in driving sustainable business growth. You will also serve as a strategic client partner, strengthening relationships, identifying expansion opportunities, and delivering scalable infrastructure solutions. This position is ideal for a results-driven leader who combines deep technical expertise, commercial acumen, and a commitment to operational excellence across complex, multi-site environments.

Lead the planning, execution, and operational management of large-scale and hyperscale data center infrastructure programs, ensuring compliance with established delivery standards, methodologies, and processes. Oversee end-to-end data center deployments, including structured cabling, network infrastructure, power and space planning, installation activities, and ongoing Day 2 operations. Develop and maintain multi-year program roadmaps aligned with client requirements, infrastructure expansion plans, and long-term business objectives. Provide leadership and oversight to project managers, project coordinators, field supervisors, installation teams, and operational support personnel across multiple concurrent programs. Establish program governance frameworks, including organizational structures, RACI matrices, communication plans, escalation procedures, and stakeholder management processes. Act as the primary executive point of contact for assigned clients, ensuring alignment on project scope, timelines, risks, deliverables, and performance expectations. Conduct regular client business reviews covering program performance, financial results, risks, operational challenges, and strategic growth opportunities. Partner with account management teams to understand client needs, develop scalable service offerings, strengthen relationships, and identify opportunities to expand existing accounts. Lead the development and approval of program and project plans, including work breakdown structures (WBS), organizational breakdown structures (OBS), requirements management, cost estimates, material planning, and risk mitigation strategies. Oversee infrastructure installation and construction activities, ensuring adherence to approved designs, technical specifications, safety requirements, and quality standards. Coordinate with supply chain and procurement teams to ensure timely sourcing, availability, and delivery of equipment and materials. Develop Statements of Work (SOWs), evaluate subcontractor proposals, and negotiate pricing and delivery terms with installation partners and subcontractors. Provide strategic oversight of Day 2 support operations across multiple active data center environments, maintaining service quality, operational reliability, and client satisfaction. Own the profit and loss (P&L) performance of assigned programs, ensuring financial accuracy, profitability, and effective cost management. Manage revenue forecasting, budgets, cost tracking, margin performance, resource allocation, and financial reporting across the program portfolio. Enforce project control standards covering scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and change management. Review proposals, pricing models, and Statements of Work during pre-sales activities, contributing to commercial strategy and delivery feasibility assessments. Support contract negotiations involving master service agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work, licensing arrangements, and post-installation support agreements. Mentor, coach, and develop project management and operational teams, fostering accountability, leadership capability, and consistent execution. Drive continuous improvement across delivery methodologies, operational processes, project management office (PMO) standards, workforce planning, and resource management. Promote operational scalability and the adoption of industry best practices to improve delivery efficiency and business performance. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), identify performance gaps, and implement corrective actions to achieve established organizational targets. Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is required. Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification or an equivalent advanced program management credential is preferred. Approximately 10–12 years of total professional experience, including 8–10 years in project management and 4–5 years in program management. Demonstrated experience leading at least three programs, each valued at $100 million or more. Extensive expertise in data center operations and large-scale or hyperscale infrastructure deployments. Proven success managing complex, multi-site programs involving multiple workstreams, significant budgets, demanding delivery schedules, and diverse stakeholders. Experience leading matrixed teams across multiple geographies, with the ability to coordinate global resources and drive consistent execution. Strong understanding of data center infrastructure delivery, including structured cabling, network infrastructure, power and space planning, installation, and ongoing operational support. Demonstrated expertise in program governance, project controls, resource planning, risk management, quality assurance, and delivery methodologies. Strong financial and commercial management capabilities, including P&L ownership, revenue forecasting, budget management, cost control, margin optimization, and financial reporting. Experience developing and reviewing Statements of Work, evaluating subcontractor pricing, supporting commercial proposals, and participating in contract negotiations. Excellent client relationship management and consultative communication skills, with the ability to engage senior executives, manage expectations, and identify opportunities for account growth. Exceptional leadership and people management skills, including experience mentoring project managers, developing operational talent, and motivating diverse, cross-functional teams. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to manage competing priorities, mitigate complex risks, and deliver under aggressive timelines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations, financial reporting, and stakeholder communications. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Microsoft Project, project and portfolio management (PPM) tools, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, Salesforce, workforce management platforms, and cloud-based technologies. Highly organized, self-motivated, and adaptable, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, drive organizational change, and maintain high standards of operational performance. Benefits: Opportunity to lead high-value, large-scale data center programs serving hyperscale and enterprise clients. A senior leadership position with significant responsibility for operational strategy, program delivery, financial performance, and client relationships. Exposure to complex, multi-site infrastructure deployments and large-scale technology environments. Opportunities to work with multidisciplinary and geographically distributed teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, and project management. The opportunity to influence operational standards, improve delivery methodologies, and drive continuous organizational improvement. Professional development through strategic leadership responsibilities and exposure to advanced data center infrastructure programs. Opportunities to strengthen executive stakeholder relationships and contribute to long-term business growth.