Data Center Operations Manager (Facilities)

Job Description

Data Center Operations Manager – Facilities

Location: Lappeenranta, Finland
Department: Data Center Operations / Critical Facilities
Reports To: Regional Operations Director or Site Director

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Position Summary

The Data Center Operations Manager – Facilities is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all critical facility infrastructure within the data center campus in Lappeenranta, Finland. This role oversees day-to-day operations of mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), cooling, power distribution, and building management systems while ensuring maximum uptime, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in mission-critical facilities with leadership capability, vendor management experience, and a proactive operational mindset. The role requires maintaining high availability standards while supporting growth, sustainability initiatives, and continuous improvement programs.

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Key Responsibilities

Critical Facility Operations

• Manage daily operations and maintenance of critical infrastructure systems including:
  • UPS systems
  • Generators
  • Switchgear and transformers
  • HVAC and cooling systems
  • Chillers and CRAH/CRAC units
  • Fire detection and suppression systems
  • Building Management Systems (BMS)
  • Electrical distribution systems
• Ensure continuous uptime and reliability of all mission-critical systems.
• Lead incident response, root cause analysis, and corrective action processes.
• Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of facility engineers, technicians, and contractors.
• Establish shift coverage, escalation procedures, and operational standards.
• Promote a strong safety-first culture and operational discipline.
• Conduct performance reviews, training plans, and workforce development.

Operational Excellence

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency operating procedures (EOPs), and method of procedures (MOPs).
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Monitor KPIs including uptime, energy efficiency, incident response, and maintenance completion.
• Support capacity planning and infrastructure expansion projects.

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Manage relationships with external service providers and contractors.
• Ensure vendors comply with site safety requirements, SLAs, and operational standards.
• Coordinate maintenance windows and project execution activities.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with Finnish regulations, environmental standards, and industry best practices.
• Support ISO, environmental, and operational audits.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) programs.
• Participate in risk assessments and emergency preparedness activities.

Sustainability & Energy Management

• Support energy efficiency initiatives and sustainability targets.
• Monitor PUE and optimize cooling and electrical efficiency.
• Contribute to renewable energy integration and environmental performance programs where applicable.

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Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 5–10+ years of experience in critical facilities or data center operations.
• Strong knowledge of electrical and mechanical infrastructure in mission-critical environments.
• Experience managing technical teams in a 24/7 operational environment.
• Knowledge of data center operational standards and best practices.
• Familiarity with CMMS systems and facility monitoring platforms.
• Strong problem-solving and incident management skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Preferred

• Experience working in hyperscale or colocation data centers.
• Knowledge of Finnish workplace safety and environmental regulations.
• Experience with energy optimization and sustainability programs.
• Certifications such as:
  • CDCP / CDCS
  • Data Center Facilities Engineer certifications
  • OSHA or equivalent safety certifications
  • Electrical or mechanical trade qualifications
• Finnish language skills are considered an advantage.

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Key Competencies

• Leadership and team management
• Critical thinking and decision-making
• Incident and crisis management
• Operational planning and execution
• Vendor and stakeholder management
• Reliability-focused mindset
• Strong safety awareness
• Continuous improvement orientation

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Work Environment

• 24/7 mission-critical data center environment.
• On-call availability may be required.
• Occasional travel within the Nordic region may be required.
• Work may involve exposure to electrical and mechanical equipment areas.