Director of Data Center Operations

Hunton Services, a division of Hunton Group, is seeking a Director of Data Center Operations to lead the transition of a large-scale, mission-critical data center from commissioning through hypercare and into steady-state operations. This role serves as the operational leader responsible for stabilizing critical infrastructure, building scalable processes, and establishing a high-performing 24/7 operations team. The Director will play a key role in transforming a newly built environment into a structured, reliable, and repeatable operation. This is not a traditional facilities or maintenance role-this position sits at the intersection of construction, commissioning, and full operations, requiring a leader who can successfully operate in that transition space.

Come work for an industry leader recognized both locally and nationally as one of the Top Places to Work!

Responsibilities:

Hypercare & System Stabilization

• Lead system stabilization efforts following commissioning, ensuring reliable and consistent operations
• Drive alarm rationalization, redundancy validation, and KPI baseline development
  Partner with commissioning teams to support transition into operational ownership
• Build and lead a 24/7 operations organization, including supervisors and technical staff
• Establish structure, accountability, and operational discipline across shift teams
• Develop operating rhythms, escalation protocols, and performance expectations
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance (PM) programs and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Oversee daily system monitoring, logs, and early-stage maintenance activities
• Ensure long-term asset reliability and operational readiness
• Provide leadership across central plant systems (HVAC, chilled water) and supporting infrastructure
• Maintain awareness of electrical systems, power distribution, and redundancy (N+1, 2N concepts)
• Ensure coordination between mechanical and electrical systems in a mission-critical environment
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and reporting processes to drive operational transparency
• Monitor system performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
• Transition operations from reactive to structured, data-driven performance management
• Serve as the primary operational interface with the client
• Support the transition from project-based support to full operational ownership
• Collaborate with internal leadership to align operations with long-term business goals

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in data center operations, mission-critical facilities, or industrial/central plant environments.
• Proven experience leading 24/7 operations teams in high-availability environments.
• Background supporting commissioning, startup, or system stabilization environments.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC / chilled water / central plant systems, electrical infrastructure, and redundancy concepts.
• Experience developing
  • Preventative maintenance programs
  • SOPs and operational procedures
  • KPI tracking and reporting systems

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in data center or critical facilities environments
• Exposure to BMS / CMMS systems, alarm management, and system monitoring tools
• Experience working in hypercare or post-construction stabilization environments
• Familiarity with redundancy design (N+1, 2N) and uptime-critical systems
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Why This Role is Unique

• This position is not limited to maintenance or operations alone-it is a bridge role responsible for guiding a facility from construction → commissioning → hypercare → steady-state operations.
• The Director will have the opportunity to build the operational foundation from the ground up, directly impacting the long-term success and reliability of a large-scale data center.