Data Center Site lead

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nRole: Data Center Site lead Location: New Albany, OH 43054 Duration: Long Term Role Purpose\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The Data Center Operations Lead provides front-line leadership and operational oversight for client's 24×7 data center operations supporting the Encova Insurance account at the Columbus, OH facility. This role is responsible for supervising and coordinating Smart Hands & Feet technicians, ensuring safe, reliable, and uninterrupted data center operations across facilities, power, cooling, security, and life-safety systems.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The Data Center Operations Lead serves as the primary on-site escalation point, coordinating closely with remote NADC (North America Data Center) / Monitoring teams, MSP partners, on-call client facilities and engineering resources, and Encova IT stakeholders. This role bridges the gap between hands-on operational execution and strategic oversight, ensuring SOP compliance, incident coordination, team development, and continuous operational improvement.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Key Responsibilities\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 1. Data Center Operations Leadership & Team Management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of Smart Hands & Feet Data Center Support Technicians across rotating shifts to ensure 24×7 coverage\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Develop and manage shift schedules, ensuring adequate staffing during all shifts including weekends, holidays, and severe weather events\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and skills development programs for team members\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ensure all technicians are trained and proficient in SOPs, runbooks, escalation procedures, and safety protocols\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Serve as the shift lead and primary decision-maker for operational matters within documented authority levels\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence within the data center operations team\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Coordinate onboarding and cross-training of new team members to ensure operational continuity\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 2. Monitoring & Incident Management Oversight\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Oversee continuous monitoring and response to alerts from enterprise and local systems including Control‐M (batch job status), Metasys (BMS alarms), SolarWinds (infrastructure alerts), CCTV systems, and NADC/MSP platforms\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ensure timely alert acknowledgement, initial validation, and appropriate escalation by the operations team\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Act as the primary escalation point for all data center incidents, coordinating response efforts across MSP, NADC, facilities, and on-call engineering teams\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Validate that all monitoring, alerting, and response activities follow documented SOPs and runbooks\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Track and report on incident trends, response times, and resolution metrics to drive continuous improvement\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Monitor weather conditions proactively to identify storm or environmental risks and initiate pre-emptive actions per SOP\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 3. Physical Infrastructure & Facility Oversight\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Oversee and participate in scheduled and event-driven walk-arounds of the data center and support areas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ensure thorough inspections of raised floors, POP rooms, maintenance rooms, battery rooms, and electrical areas for hazards, obstructions, or abnormalities\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Supervise routine checks of critical systems including liquid cell battery fluid levels, UPS backup battery levels (camera systems), glycol levels for CRAC units, leak detection systems, emergency gas shut-off valves, and EPO (Emergency Power Off) button accessibility\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Verify access-controlled and sensitive areas are properly secured and documented\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Coordinate with licensed contractors and client facilities engineers for specialized testing, calibration, or corrective work\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Maintain and improve inspection checklists, walk-around schedules, and facility documentation\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 4. Power, Cooling & Environmental Management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Oversee first-level operational support for critical infrastructure including utility power systems, generator systems, UPS systems, emergency power systems, and associated battery rooms\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Manage monitoring and response for cooling and environmental systems including CRAC unit status, temperature/humidity conditions, and glycol level monitoring\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ensure team verifies normal utility power availability before transferring systems off generator power\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Direct data center systems into bypass mode during approaching storms as directed by SOP or facilities leadership, and support restoration once conditions are cleared\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Coordinate with facilities engineering for any power or cooling events that exceed first-level response scope\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Track environmental trends and escalate anomalies before they impact service availability\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 5. Incident Response & Crisis Coordination\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Serve as the primary on-site incident coordinator for event-driven alerts from generators, UPS, battery rooms, maintenance rooms, POP rooms, and environmental systems\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Coordinate physical verification of alarm conditions and immediate notification of MSP and on-call facilities contacts\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Lead storm-related operational activities including pre-storm preparations, active monitoring during events, and post-storm restoration\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Respond to Simplex fire alarm system notifications, ensuring proper acknowledgement, defined response procedures, and checks-and-balances oversight when disarming alarms\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Support actions to prevent unnecessary fire department dispatch where approved\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Coordinate incident support activities until relieved by authorized personnel and ensure comprehensive incident documentation\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 6. Security, Access Control & Vendor Management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Oversee monitoring of data center camera systems and controlled-access areas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Manage the receiving, logging, and secure storage of deliveries of data center equipment and materials\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Coordinate escort support for authorized vendors, service providers, and contractors\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ensure cleaning crews are checked in and janitorial closets are unlocked/secured per schedule and policy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Maintain vendor access logs and ensure all third-party access complies with security policies\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Serve as liaison between on-site operations and security management for access-related issues\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 7. Documentation, Reporting & Compliance\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Maintain detailed and accurate logs of all events, alerts, actions taken, escalations, and shift hand-offs\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Develop, review, and update SOPs, runbooks, and operational procedures to reflect current environment and best practices\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Prepare and deliver shift turnover reports ensuring seamless continuity of operations across shifts\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Generate regular operational reports including incident summaries, walk-around findings, equipment status, and KPI metrics\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ensure audit readiness by maintaining comprehensive documentation of all data center activities\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Support compliance with industry standards, regulations, and client policies\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 8. Stakeholder Communication & Coordination\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Serve as the primary communication bridge between on-site data center operations and remote NADC/Monitoring teams\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Interface with MSP partners, client facilities engineering, and Encova IT leadership on operational matters\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Provide clear, accurate, and timely communication during active or potential incidents\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Escalate to secondary and tertiary contacts promptly if primary resources are unavailable\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Participate in change management processes, maintenance window planning, and capacity reviews\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Contribute to operational improvement initiatives and technology refresh planning\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Skills & Competencies\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Strong leadership and team management capabilities with ability to motivate and develop technical staff\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Deep working knowledge of data center operational environments, including power distribution, UPS, generator systems, cooling, and environmental systems\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Proficiency with monitoring tools such as Metasys (BMS), SolarWinds, Control‐M, and CCTV systems\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Thorough understanding of fire alarm and life-safety systems (e.g., Simplex)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Strong adherence to SOPs, change management, and escalation discipline\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Calm, methodical, and decisive response under pressure during incidents and emergencies\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · High attention to detail, situational awareness, and proactive risk identification\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Excellent verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional coordination\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Strong documentation and reporting skills\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ability to manage vendor relationships and coordinate third-party activities on-site\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Familiarity with ITIL framework and incident/problem/change management processes\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Experience & Qualifications\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Required\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · 5–8 years of progressive experience in data center operations, facilities support, or critical infrastructure environments\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · 2+ years in a lead, supervisory, or team lead capacity within data center or IT operations\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Hands-on experience with Smart Hands & Feet or on-site data center support models\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Demonstrated experience with centralized monitoring, NOC-driven environments, or MSP-managed operations\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Proven track record of managing 24×7 operations including shift scheduling and staff development\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Experience with incident management, escalation procedures, and crisis coordination\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Working knowledge of power systems (utility, generator, UPS), cooling systems (CRAC, glycol), and fire/life-safety systems\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Preferred\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Experience supporting insurance, financial services, or similarly regulated environments\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Background in BMS platforms (e.g., Metasys) and enterprise monitoring tools (SolarWinds, Control‐M)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Experience with data center migration, consolidation, or lights-out operating models\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Familiarity with DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) solutions\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Project management experience in data center or infrastructure contexts\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Certifications (Preferred)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP) or Certified Data Center Facilities Operations Manager (CDFOM)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · ITIL Foundation or higher certification\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · CompTIA Server+ or CompTIA Network+\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · OSHA 10/30 Certification\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Relevant vendor certifications (e.g., Schneider Electric, Eaton, Vertiv) are a plus\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Physical & Work Environment Requirements\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ability to perform frequent walkthroughs of data halls, electrical rooms, battery rooms, generator areas, cooling areas, and maintenance areas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs as per policy-defined limits\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Comfortable working in raised-floor, electrical, and industrial environments\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Ability to stand, walk, bend, and climb ladders for extended periods during shift\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · May be exposed to loud noise from generators, cooling systems, and other mechanical equipment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Must be able to wear required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when entering certain areas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Work Schedule & Coverage Model\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Data center operates 24×7, 365 days a year\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Role requires participation in a rotating shift schedule including day, evening, and overnight shifts\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Weekend and holiday coverage is required on a rotating basis\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Flexibility required to support storm events, maintenance windows, and extended coverage during major incidents\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Must be available for on-call support as needed during critical events\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Role Boundaries\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t This role includes:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Team leadership, supervision, and development of on-site DC technicians\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Monitoring oversight, walk-arounds, validation, and escalation management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Execution and enforcement of approved actions per SOPs and runbooks\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Incident coordination and stakeholder communication\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Documentation, reporting, and operational improvement\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Support to MSP, NADC, and client facilities teams\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t This role does NOT include:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Advanced troubleshooting, diagnostics, or root cause analysis on critical systems\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Repairs, hardware/software configuration changes, or engineering modifications\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Independent decision-making outside documented procedures and authority levels\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t · Budget ownership or procurement authority (escalate to Data Center Manager)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Thanks & Regards Lokesh Nagavamsapu SRI Tech Solutions