Data Center Manager

Position Summary:

The Data Center Manager leads the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of Vanderbilt’s Data Centers, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient operation of critical computing infrastructure. This position manages technical staff, coordinates cross-functional operational activities, and oversees service delivery processes that support institutional research, academic, and administrative technology services. Operating with high autonomy within established departmental strategies and operational objectives, the role translates organizational priorities into team-level execution plans, manages operational risk, and ensures service continuity, compliance, and customer satisfaction. Through effective leadership, workforce development, and operational governance, the position advances VUIT's mission of delivering dependable technology services that support the university community.

About the Work Unit:

Vanderbilt University Information Technology is a human-centric organization that advances our university by delivering innovative solutions and frictionless experiences through collaboration.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Data Center Operations and Service Delivery | 30% of Time

• Oversees delivery of Data Center activities, ensuring infrastructure installations, relocations, and decommissioning efforts are completed according to established standards and service commitments.

• Maintains accurate asset inventories, infrastructure documentation, consumable tracking, and operational records that support effective service management and compliance requirements.

• Ensures customer requests, operational work queues, and vendor activities are prioritized and executed efficiently to maintain service quality and customer satisfaction.

• Monitors service performance indicators and operational metrics, implementing improvements that increase efficiency, reliability, and service effectiveness.

• Ensures physical security, operational controls, and governance requirements are consistently maintained across supported facilities.

Service Reliability, Incident Management, and Risk Oversight | 20% of Time

• Provides operational leadership for monitoring, escalation, and response activities that maintain availability of critical data center infrastructure and supporting services.

• Coordinates major incident response efforts, ensuring timely communication, effective collaboration, and resolution of operational disruptions.

• Implements and reinforces change management, risk mitigation, and operational control practices that reduce service interruptions and institutional risk.

• Ensures incidents, corrective actions, and operational events are documented accurately to support accountability, trend analysis, and continuous improvement.

• Evaluates recurring operational challenges and implements process improvements that strengthen resilience, reliability, and service continuity.

Cross-Functional Coordination and Operational Governance | 15% of Time

• Maintains effective working relationships with VUIT leadership, facilities personnel, vendors, contractors, and customers to support operational objectives and service delivery commitments.

• Serves as a subject matter resource for data center processes, procedures, and operational standards, promoting consistency and informed decision-making.

• Coordinates activities across multiple teams and stakeholders to ensure infrastructure changes and service requests are completed successfully and with minimal disruption.

• Develops, maintains, and improves operational procedures that enhance consistency, efficiency, knowledge transfer, and service quality.

• Supports operational reporting and analysis efforts that provide leaders with actionable information for planning and service improvements.

Operational Planning, Projects, and Technology Administration | 15% of Time

• Leads operational projects that improve data center capacity, infrastructure utilization, environmental management, and overall service performance.

• Oversees administration and effective use of facilities monitoring, asset management, inventory, and capacity planning systems that support operational decision-making.

• Utilizes forecasting, modeling, and performance data to optimize infrastructure placement, power utilization, space allocation, and environmental efficiency.

• Coordinates project activities among technical teams, facilities organizations, vendors, and contractors to ensure successful implementation and operational readiness.

• Ensures operational projects are executed in alignment with departmental priorities, service requirements, and established quality standards.

People and Team Management | 20% of Time

• Leads and supervises a team effectively by recruiting, onboarding, developing, and managing performance in alignment with organizational standards and expectations.

• Operates as a player‑coach by actively contributing to day‑to‑day work while mentoring team members, modeling best practices, and removing obstacles to success.

• Develops and executes clear plans, objectives, and initiatives that align team activities with departmental and organizational goals, tracking progress and adjusting as needed.

• Allocates financial and human resources strategically to meet operational demands, stays within budget, and maximizes efficiency and service delivery.

• Monitors team and individual performance, providing timely feedback, coaching, and corrective guidance that results in improved skills, productivity, or outcomes.

• Promotes a positive and inclusive work environment by encouraging collaboration, open communication, and employee engagement, contributing to morale and retention.

• Ensures consistent compliance with Vanderbilt policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements, addressing issues promptly and reducing risk.

• Collaborates effectively with internal partners and stakeholders to achieve cross‑functional objectives, resolves issues, and supports shared priorities.

• Uses data, metrics, and operational insights to identify trends, recommend improvements, and implement process changes that enhance efficiency or service quality.

Working Conditions and Operational Requirements:

On-Site Requirement:

This position is required to work primarily on campus to support operational needs, provide in‑person services, and collaborate with colleagues. Employees are expected to be on site during their scheduled work hours unless otherwise approved by their supervisor. Occasional flexibility may be granted based on departmental needs and institutional policy.

On-call Responsibilities:

The position does not have set on-call responsibilities but requires flexibility for occasional after-hours support.

Driving Required:

Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has supervisory responsibility for a team of approximately 9 technicians and specialists. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Data Center Services.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is necessary

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is preferred

• ITIL Foundation, CDCMP, CDCP, Cisco CCENT or equivalent infrastructure operations certifications are preferred

• Project management, leadership, or operational governance certifications are preferred

Experience and Skills:

• 5-7 years of progressive experience working in and managing data center operations, critical infrastructure environments, or technology operations functions is necessary

• 3+ years of experience leading technical operations teams with responsibility for staffing, performance management, workforce development, and service delivery is necessary is necessary

• Experience leading operational projects and coordinating activities across multiple technical teams and stakeholders is necessary

• Ability to manage incident response, operational risk, escalation processes, and service continuity activities is necessary

• Advanced knowledge of data center infrastructure, facilities operations, asset governance, and operational controls is necessary

• Ability to analyze operational metrics, performance trends, and service data to drive continuous improvement is necessary

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational decision-making skills within a complex operational environment is necessary

• Demonstrated commitment to VUIT’s Guiding Principles is necessary

Information Technology’s Guiding Principles:

• Trust and Respect- VUIT cultivates a community built on trust, mutual respect, and inclusivity, where all members feel valued and supported. We prioritize honesty, dignity, empathy, and a willingness to listen and understand. 

• Professionalism- VUIT strives to maintain a culture of maturity, accountability, and integrity to best represent the University and self. Have a sense of humility and poise in your work and daily interactions.

• Collaborate- VUIT commits to being inclusive in solution design where we value sharing within and partnering across the university. We are intentional about including our colleagues and preventing silos. 

• Bias-to-Action- VUIT is seen as a changemaker by exhibiting a decisive, self-starter, take-action approach with a willingness to make decisions without excessive deliberation. Personal initiative is recognized as a key part of the creative process.

• Communicate- Communication (written, verbal and non-verbal), within and outside VUIT, is open, thoughtful, welcoming, clear, proactive, concise yet complete, always honest, and delivered kindly.

• Innovate- VUIT pledges to be bold and challenge the status quo by inspiring a culture of creativity that promotes growth and advancement for the university. 

• Celebrate Each Other- We are intentional in showing appreciation for the work of others by valuing and acknowledging meaningful contributions at all levels of the organization.

• Optimize- VUIT will practice continuous and thoughtful optimization of our solutions and services to increase our human and technological capacity. Capacity drives innovation.