Director of North America Data Center Facilities Operations

Atlas Connections is partnering with a growing data center developer and operator to hire a Director of North America Data Center Facilities Operations. Our client develops high-performance data center campuses supporting hyperscale, high-performance computing, and AI customers.

Based in Richmond, Virginia, this leader will oversee facilities operations across the North American portfolio and prepare new sites for successful operation. The role combines technical oversight, team development, and the establishment of consistent operating practices to support safe, reliable performance across multiple locations.

Location: Richmond, VA with travel to sites across North America

Base Salary: $250k-$260k + bonus

Key Responsibilities

• Lead facilities operations across North America, establishing consistent expectations for safety, reliability, maintenance, and service delivery.
• Lead and mentor site operations leaders and technical teams, strengthening technical capability, accountability, and ownership.
• Oversee the operation and maintenance of critical electrical, mechanical, cooling, controls, and life-safety systems.
• Partner with development, construction, engineering, and commissioning teams to prepare new facilities for turnover, including staffing, training, documentation, maintenance programs, and operating procedures.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, emergency response plans, and change-management practices.
• Direct incident escalation, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions to reduce operational risk and improve facility performance.
• Develop and manage operating budgets, capital improvement priorities, vendor agreements, and equipment lifecycle plans.
• Work with customers and internal stakeholders to align facilities operations with contractual requirements and service expectations.
• Use operational metrics to identify trends, improve maintenance effectiveness, and guide decisions across the portfolio.
• Travel to operating facilities and development sites to support local teams, assess readiness, and drive consistent execution.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in data center facilities operations or critical facilities management, including senior leadership responsibility across multiple sites.
• Demonstrated success leading teams in environments where uptime, safety, and disciplined execution are essential.
• Strong working knowledge of critical power and cooling infrastructure, including electrical distribution, UPS systems, generators, switchgear, HVAC, chilled-water systems, and building monitoring and controls.
• Experience developing operating procedures, preventive maintenance programs, emergency response practices, and operational performance standards.
• Experience supporting commissioning, facility turnover, and the transition from construction into live operations.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, vendors, service contracts, and capital planning.
• Sound judgment during critical incidents and clear communication with technical teams, customers, and executive leadership.
• An engaged, practical leadership style with the ability to develop people and establish structure within a growing organization.
• A degree in engineering, facilities management, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant technical and leadership experience.
• Ability to be based in Richmond, Virginia, and travel to sites across North America.

Preferred Experience: Hyperscale or colocation facilities, high-density computing infrastructure, and scaling operations across a growing data center portfolio.