Data Center Operations Manager

Data Center Operations ManagerThe 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: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 ProtectionAssess the data center market landscape, identify emerging opportunities, and position the company competitively for new project pursuits in Texas and target markets outside the statePartner 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 servicesServe as the company's internal subject matter expert on data center fire protection systems, construction protocols, and owner/GC/CM/commissioning agent relationship managementCollaborate with the individual trade line-of-business managers to align resources, workflows, and execution strategies for data center project deliveryManage, modify, and oversee all operations, personnel, and processes within the data center vertical across every trade performedEnsure proper execution of fire sprinkler, pre-action, fire alarm, special hazards (clean agent, VESDA, FM-200, NOVEC, CO?, etc.), underground, and consulting scopes on data center projectsOversee job setup, contracts, change orders, purchase orders, subcontractor management, and accounting processes in alignment with company SOPs across all tradesMonitor and actively manage project budgets vs. actuals; review job costing details with the team to identify and act on improvement opportunitiesMaximize labor production and efficiency across trades while maintaining the exacting quality standards required in mission-critical environmentsEnsure 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 recognitionOwn the data center vertical P&L, with full accountability for revenue, gross margin, and profitability across all trades operating within the segmentPrepare and adhere to the segment operations budget; conduct periodic resource analysis with the Director of Sprinkler ConstructionMonitor and report on key metrics including revenue, gross margin, productivity, and people performance; communicate findings to senior leadership regularlyEnsure timely daily/weekly billing, confirm payment terms on open jobs, and track project profitability throughout the project lifecycleEnsure multiple bids for material purchasing optimization across trades, where appropriateRecruit, develop, and retain a high-performing, cross-trade team with the technical expertise required for data center constructionConduct periodic performance reviews, effectively communicating expectations and development opportunitiesChampion 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 protocolsReduce turnover and foster a culture of ownership, teamwork, and continuous improvement across all trade disciplines within the segmentOwn 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 tradeEnsure work is executed in compliance with NFPA standards (13, 72, 750, 2001, and others as applicable), FM Global data sheet requirements, and owner/AHJ specificationsOversee audits and work instruction improvement processes to ensure integrity and relevance in the data center environmentPropose and implement technology and process improvements to increase productivity and profitability on data center projectsLeverage BIM/coordination tools, prefabrication strategies, and digital project management platforms appropriate to mission-critical, multi-trade construction workflowsOnboard newer technology as appropriate to stay competitive in the data center marketKnowledge:High School diploma or GED requiredHigher education degree or equivalent work experience preferredDeep familiarity with NFPA 13, NFPA 72, NFPA 750, NFPA 2001, and FM Global data sheets relevant to data center fire protectionWorking knowledge of data center construction phases, critical environment protocols (hot aisle/cold aisle, raised floor, MEP coordination), and commissioning processesWork Experience:10+ years leading, managing, and developing teams in fire protection constructionDeep, 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 themExperience working directly with data center owners, hyperscale developers, colocation operators, or their general contractors requiredSpecial hazards suppression system experience (clean agent, pre-action, VESDA, FM-200, NOVEC, CO?) requiredFire sprinkler and pre-action system design and/or field experience strongly preferredFire alarm design and/or field experience preferredMulti-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 applyDemonstrated P&L ownership or financial management experience preferredFire sprinkler, fire alarm, or special hazards sales or business development experience a plusWork Expectations:Believe In, Live, and Support Our Mission Statement and Core Values DailyMission Statement:Continually setting the standard of excellence in fire and life safetyCore Values:Safety FirstIntegrityCustomer FocusedHumilityOwnershipTeamworkCommunicate effectively and professionally with internal and external customers, including data center owners, hyperscale clients, construction managers, and commissioning agentsUnderstand and follow HR and safety initiatives and processesEnsure regular operational meetings within the data center segment team across all trade disciplinesSupport and ensure team adherence to all company SOPs across every trade operating within the segmentEnsure inventory control measures are in place, with particular attention to long-lead special hazards materials and pre-action componentsEnsure proper management and accountability for subcontractors, including review and approval of all subcontractor invoices prior to paymentMaintain quality control across all aspects of multi-trade operationsEnsure customer satisfaction and respond to customer satisfaction survey feedbackTravel 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 needsPerform other duties as