Operations Director, Data Center
Position Title: Operations Director, Data Center
Location: Malaysia
Employment Type: Full‑Time, Permanent
Industry: Data Center / Critical Infrastructure
Role Overview
The Operations Director is responsible for leading, scaling, and optimizing all aspects of data center operations in Malaysia. This role ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, asset performance, and readiness to support rapid business growth. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with deep expertise in critical facilities, operational governance, and team development within the data center or mission‑critical environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Operational Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company and regional goals.
- Drive continuous improvement and implement global best practices for data center operations.
- Manage multi‑site operations, ensuring consistent standards, SLAs, and procedures.
2. Critical Facilities Management
- Oversee the performance, maintenance, and reliability of all critical systems, including power, cooling, security, network connectivity, mechanical and electrical (M&E) infrastructure.
- Ensure all data centers meet uptime, capacity, redundancy, and safety requirements.
- Lead incident, change, and problem management processes, including RCA and preventative actions.
3. Compliance, Risk & Safety
- Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements in Malaysia (e.g., energy standards, local authorities, environmental compliance).
- Maintain compliance with ISO, SOC, PCI, TIA, and other relevant industry certifications.
- Champion a strong culture of safety, quality, and risk mitigation.
4. Customer & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the operational escalation point for strategic customers.
- Collaborate closely with sales, engineering, delivery, and customer success teams to support client onboarding, expansions, and service delivery.
- Represent operations in internal and external audits.
5. Financial & Capacity Management
- Manage operational budgets, OPEX forecasting, vendor contracts, and cost optimization.
- Oversee capacity planning, resource utilization, and operational readiness for expansions or new builds.
- Support CAPEX planning for infrastructure upgrades and lifecycle management.
6. Team Leadership & Development
- Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of operations managers, engineers, and technicians.
- Build succession pipelines, develop talent, and foster a high‑performance culture.
- Ensure sufficient 24x7 staffing coverage and response capability.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical/Mechanical), Facilities Management, or related field.
- 10+ years' experience in mission‑critical environments with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven experience managing data center operations, colocation, or hyperscale facilities.
- Strong knowledge of critical systems (UPS, generators, chillers, CRAC/CRAH, BMS/EMS).
- Demonstrated success in operational governance, crisis management, and SLA delivery.
Preferred:
- Experience with data center commissioning, expansion projects, or greenfield builds.
- Certifications such as Uptime ATS/OPS, CDCP/CDCS/CDCE, PMP, ITIL, or similar.
- Familiarity with sustainability initiatives and energy‑efficiency optimization.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit an application with an updated CV detailing your relevant experience to this job ad.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Recruitment Consultant: Ken Tan
EA Registration No: R22111317
EA License No: 16S8194
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