Data Center Manager

About the role

The Data Center Manager provides strategic leadership and overall governance of a 24/7 mission-critical data center facility in Kuwait, working on an onsite basis. The role ensures maximum availability, reliability and efficiency of data center operations while meeting customer and business needs, covering operational continuity, risk management, facility reliability, resource optimization and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and governance for data center operations and facility management, and develop operational strategies aligned with customer and business needs.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, contractual and industry standards (ISO, Uptime Institute, local regulations).
• Establish and enforce operational policies, procedures and KPIs; lead multidisciplinary teams including Deputy DC Manager, DCM Engineers and facility support staff.
• Manage operational budgets, forecasts, resource allocation and cost optimization.
• Drive continuous improvement, risk management and business continuity plans, including disaster recovery preparedness.
• Ensure 24/7 coverage, workforce planning and staff development; oversee day-to-day operations, SLAs, incident response and escalation.
• Manage capacity planning, resource utilization and infrastructure availability; oversee electrical, UPS, backup power, cooling, environmental control, fire protection and security systems.
• Coordinate vendors and contractors for maintenance, testing and commissioning; drive asset and maintenance management (preventive and corrective).
• Lead audit readiness, risk assessments and mitigation plans, and act as main point of contact for customers and stakeholders.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in data center operations or critical facility management.
• Proven experience with mission-critical infrastructure, large-scale MEP operations and 24/7 site management.
• Demonstrated leadership of operational teams, incident management and service delivery.
• Nice to have: PMP, ITIL or Uptime Institute certification; Master's degree; UAE or GCC industrial/data center experience; Arabic proficiency.

Required skills

• Knowledge of SOPs, MOPs/EOPs and standardization across sites.
• Expertise in electrical UPS, generators, switchgears, power distribution, chillers, pumps and cooling systems.
• Familiarity with ISO and Uptime Institute audit practices.
• Capacity, asset and maintenance management, including RCM, preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Proficiency with BMS, EPMS, DCIM, fire detection, access control and alarm management.
• HSE practices including permit to work and LOTO.