Business Operations Manager, Data Center
Xcellink · Kuala Lumpur
The Business Operations Manager, Data Center is a senior technical and operational leader responsible for shaping and delivering end-to-end data center managed services. The role provides Subject Matter Expertise (SME) in data center operations and bridges commercial strategy with operational execution. It drives new business acquisition through technical pre-sales leadership, oversees day-to-day service delivery for customer environments, and leads the implementation of data center service offerings.
As the organization’s SME on data center operations, resiliency, and compliance, the role ensures that services are scalable, commercially viable, and aligned with customer requirements.
1. Business Acquisition & Pre-Sales Leadership
- Act as the technical authority during sales pursuits for data center operators, colocation providers, and enterprise facilities.
- Partner with Sales to shape winning service propositions and managed services models.
- Lead technical discovery workshops, site assessments, and operational maturity reviews for prospective customers.
- Define service scope, operating models, staffing structures, and tooling requirements.
- Develop Statements of Work (SOW), service catalogs, and pricing inputs.
- Present service capabilities, operating frameworks, and transformation roadmaps to customer stakeholders.
- Assess risks, dependencies, and transition strategies for new contracts.
2. Data Center Operations Leadership
- Provide executive oversight of on-site and remote DC operations teams supporting customers.
- Ensure service delivery meets contractual SLAs, KPIs, and regulatory obligations.
- Govern operational processes including:
- Facilities operations (power, cooling, space)
- Remote hands and smart hands services
- Incident, problem, and change management
- Vendor and subcontractor coordination
- Capacity planning and asset lifecycle management
- Act as escalation point for major incidents and service-impacting events.
- Drive continuous service improvement initiatives and operational maturity programs.
- Build and mentor high-performing technical teams; define training and certification pathways.
- Ensure compliance with industry standards such as Uptime Institute, ISO 27001/22301, SOC, and local regulatory requirements.
3. Service Implementation & Transition Leadership
- Lead onboarding and mobilisation of new data center service contracts.
- Design and execute transition plans from incumbent providers or in-house teams.
- Establish governance structures, reporting cadence, and operational dashboards.
- Implement operational processes, runbooks, and tooling platforms (e.g., DCIM, ITSM).
- Validate readiness through service acceptance testing and operational drills.
- Manage go-live activities and stabilization periods.
- Ensure knowledge transfer and documentation is completed and maintained.
- Align delivery teams, partners, and subcontractors during ramp-up.
Strategic & Advisory Responsibilities
- Shape the firm’s data center managed services portfolio and go-to-market strategy.
- Identify new service offerings such as:
- Edge DC operations
- Sustainability and energy optimization serviceso
- Automation and monitoring platforms
- AI-driven operations
- Provide market intelligence on DC trends, regulatory shifts, and emerging technologies.
- Act as trusted advisor to customers on operational transformation, resilience planning, and cost optimization.
- Support alliance and partner development with OEMs, hyperscalers, and facilities vendors.
Requirements
- Proven experience managing data center or mission-critical operations minimally with 10 years in DC sector as Team Lead/ SDM/ Head of Data Center Operations/ DC Cluster Manager
- Experience leading 24x7 operational teams
- Clear decision-making and communication skills
- Deep experience in Tier III/IV data center operations and service delivery.
- Strong pre-sales and customer-facing leadership capability.
- Proven track record in mobilizing large-scale managed services engagements.
- Expertise in:
- Electrical & Mechanical systems (UPS, generators, chillers)
- BMS/DCIM platforms
- ITSM frameworks (ITIL)
- Resiliency and business continuity planning
- Commercial acumen—understanding contract structures, margins, and risk management.
- Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
Core Data Center and Facilities Certifications
Uptime Institute Certifications
- BICSI Data Center Certifications (DCDC or DCCS)
- Schneider Electric Data Center Certified Associate or Professional (DCCA or DCCP)
IT Service Operations and Governance
- ITIL 4 (Managing Professional or Strategic Leader) from AXELOS
- ISO 20000 Foundation or Lead Implementer
Business Continuity, Risk, and Resilience
- ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management
- Certified Data Centre Risk Professional (CDCRP)
Energy, Safety, and Sustainability
- ISO 50001 Energy Management
- NEBOSH or equivalent safety certification
Benefits
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and commission structure
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- A supportive and collaborative work environment
Please state clearly your past work experience, reasons for leaving each role, past and expected remuneration.
We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Thank you in advance for your interest.