Data Center Operations Manager

DATA CENTER OPERATIONS MANAGER

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary:

The Data Center Operations Manager is a dynamic, results-driven leader with a strong entrepreneurial mindset and a proven history of driving financial and operational success in the fire and life safety industry. This individual serves as the operational and P&L owner of our data center vertical - a distinctly cross-trade role that spans fire sprinkler, fire alarm, special hazards suppression, fire protection consulting, and underground fire protection. Unlike our traditional regional operations structure where leaders oversee a single trade, this role requires the breadth to lead and integrate multiple lines of business simultaneously, all focused on delivering mission-critical fire and life safety systems to data center clients.

Reporting directly to the Director of Sprinkler Construction, this leader will assess market conditions, evaluate organizational needs, build a high-performing cross-trade team, and drive the identification and execution of data center business opportunities across Texas and beyond. This role requires frequent travel to project sites and client locations throughout Texas and into other states where data center work is being pursued or performed.

The Data Center Operations Manager brings deep knowledge of mission-critical construction environments, an energetic drive, and strong business acumen - with a track record of developing and executing effective strategies to drive growth and operational success in technically complex, schedule-driven project environments.

Job Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Market Leadership & Strategy

• Own the vision, growth strategy, and full P&L performance for the data center vertical across all applicable company trades, including Fire Sprinkler Construction, Fire Alarm, Special Hazards, Fire Protection Consulting, and Underground Fire Protection
• Assess the data center market landscape, identify emerging opportunities, and position the company competitively for new project pursuits in Texas and target markets outside the state
• Partner with Market Development, Sales, and Estimating to develop and refine pricing programs tailored to data center project requirements, including early-engagement pre-construction and design-assist services
• Serve as the company's internal subject matter expert on data center fire protection systems, construction protocols, and owner/GC/CM/commissioning agent relationship management
• Collaborate with the individual trade line-of-business managers to align resources, workflows, and execution strategies for data center project delivery

Cross-Trade Operations Management

• Manage, modify, and oversee all operations, personnel, and processes within the data center vertical across every trade performed
• Ensure proper execution of fire sprinkler, pre-action, fire alarm, special hazards (clean agent, VESDA, FM-200, NOVEC, CO₂, etc.), underground, and consulting scopes on data center projects
• Oversee job setup, contracts, change orders, purchase orders, subcontractor management, and accounting processes in alignment with company SOPs across all trades
• Monitor and actively manage project budgets vs. actuals; review job costing details with the team to identify and act on improvement opportunities
• Maximize labor production and efficiency across trades while maintaining the exacting quality standards required in mission-critical environments
• Ensure all projects maintain proper update status - materials, equipment rentals, subcontractors, intercompany jobs, etc.
• Oversee change order management across all trades to protect margin and ensure timely billing and revenue recognition

Financial Performance & P&L Ownership

• Own the data center vertical P&L, with full accountability for revenue, gross margin, and profitability across all trades operating within the segment
• Prepare and adhere to the segment operations budget; conduct periodic resource analysis with the Director of Sprinkler Construction
• Monitor and report on key metrics including revenue, gross margin, productivity, and people performance; communicate findings to senior leadership regularly
• Ensure timely daily/weekly billing, confirm payment terms on open jobs, and track project profitability throughout the project lifecycle
• Ensure multiple bids for material purchasing optimization across trades, where appropriate

Team Development

• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing, cross-trade team with the technical expertise required for data center construction
• Conduct periodic performance reviews, effectively communicating expectations and development opportunities
• Champion training at all levels - including pre-action system installation, clean agent suppression, fire alarm in mission-critical environments, and data center-specific safety and commissioning protocols
• Reduce turnover and foster a culture of ownership, teamwork, and continuous improvement across all trade disciplines within the segment

Safety & Compliance

• Own safety for the data center vertical team; ensure full adherence to safety and risk assessment policies, procedures, and training compliance across all field employees in every trade
• Ensure work is executed in compliance with NFPA standards (13, 72, 750, 2001, and others as applicable), FM Global data sheet requirements, and owner/AHJ specifications
• Oversee audits and work instruction improvement processes to ensure integrity and relevance in the data center environment

Technology & Process Improvement

• Propose and implement technology and process improvements to increase productivity and profitability on data center projects
• Leverage BIM/coordination tools, prefabrication strategies, and digital project management platforms appropriate to mission-critical, multi-trade construction workflows
• Onboard newer technology as appropriate to stay competitive in the data center market

Knowledge:

• High School diploma or GED required
• Higher education degree or equivalent work experience preferred
• Deep familiarity with NFPA 13, NFPA 72, NFPA 750, NFPA 2001, and FM Global data sheets relevant to data center fire protection
• Working knowledge of data center construction phases, critical environment protocols (hot aisle/cold aisle, raised floor, MEP coordination), and commissioning processes

Work Experience:

• 10+ years leading, managing, and developing teams in fire protection construction
• Deep, hands-on experience in the data center vertical is required - candidates must bring established knowledge of mission-critical construction environments, data center owner/operator expectations, and the fire and life safety systems that serve them
• Experience working directly with data center owners, hyperscale developers, colocation operators, or their general contractors required
• Special hazards suppression system experience (clean agent, pre-action, VESDA, FM-200, NOVEC, CO₂) required
• Fire sprinkler and pre-action system design and/or field experience strongly preferred
• Fire alarm design and/or field experience preferred
• Multi-trade or cross-discipline operations experience preferred; candidates with single-trade backgrounds who demonstrate the leadership capability and desire to grow into cross-trade accountability are encouraged to apply
• Demonstrated P&L ownership or financial management experience preferred
• Fire sprinkler, fire alarm, or special hazards sales or business development experience a plus

Work Expectations:

• Believe In, Live, and Support Our Mission Statement and Core Values Daily

Mission Statement:

Continually setting the standard of excellence in fire and life safety

Core Values:

• Safety First
• Integrity
• Customer Focused
• Humility
• Ownership
• Teamwork

• Communicate effectively and professionally with internal and external customers, including data center owners, hyperscale clients, construction managers, and commissioning agents
• Understand and follow HR and safety initiatives and processes
• Ensure regular operational meetings within the data center segment team across all trade disciplines
• Support and ensure team adherence to all company SOPs across every trade operating within the segment
• Ensure inventory control measures are in place, with particular attention to long-lead special hazards materials and pre-action components
• Ensure proper management and accountability for subcontractors, including review and approval of all subcontractor invoices prior to payment
• Maintain quality control across all aspects of multi-trade operations
• Ensure customer satisfaction and respond to customer satisfaction survey feedback
• Travel regularly to project sites and client locations throughout Texas and to remote areas in other states where data center work is being pursued or performed; travel frequency will vary based on project activity and business development needs
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Sprinkler Construction or executive management

Skills and Competencies:

• Deep understanding of fire protection systems specific to data center environments, including pre-action, clean agent, fire alarm, and early warning detection
• Demonstrated ability to lead and integrate multiple trade disciplines under a unified operational and financial framework
• Team-oriented with a willingness to learn and assist other departments as needed
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and drive results in a fast-paced, schedule-critical environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to senior ownership and client stakeholders
• Meticulous attention to detail with excellent organizational skills
• Ability to locate, interpret, and apply applicable codes, references, and owner specifications across multiple trades
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, and construction ERP platforms (e.g., Sage Intacct or equivalent)
• Ability to maintain accurate and auditable records
• Ability to prioritize work to balance multiple concurrent projects, trades, and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop teams across technical construction disciplines
• Sense of pride, integrity, and strong organizational ability
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including to remote areas in and out of the state of Texas

Physical Requirements:

• Office setting including sitting, bending, walking, and viewing
• Active data center construction jobsite settings, including utilization of proper PPE, raised floor environments, confined spaces, and energized infrastructure adjacency awareness
• Stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Reach with hands and arms
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus