Summary
AVAR is hiring a Data Center Manager in Kuwait City for an on-site role overseeing a 24/7 mission-critical facility. The manager will lead operations and multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets, vendors, maintenance, capacity, incident response, risk, and compliance, and serve as the main customer and stakeholder contact. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering and at least 10 years of data center operations or critical facility management experience. PMP, ITIL, Uptime Institute certification, GCC experience, and Arabic are listed as preferred.
The posting
As published on avarglobal.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Role Overview
The Data Center Manager is entrusted with the overall management, governance, and operational excellence of a 24/7 mission-critical data center facility. You will provide strategic leadership, ensuring the maximum availability, reliability, and efficiency of all data center operations, meeting both customer and business requirements. As part of our team in Kuwait, you'll work in an ONSITE environment and be accountable for delivering operational continuity, managing risk, maintaining facility reliability, optimizing resources, and driving continuous improvement. This position oversees the complete infrastructure lifecycle, maintains regulatory, security, and safety compliance, aligns with Tier certifications and ISO frameworks, and ensures positive customer and stakeholder experiences.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and overall governance for data center operations and facility management.
- Develop and execute operational strategies in line with customer and business needs.
- Ensure full compliance with regulatory, contractual, and industry standards (ISO, Uptime Institute, local regulations).
- Establish and enforce operational policies, procedures, and KPIs.
- Lead and inspire 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 operational coverage, workforce planning, and staff development programs.
- Oversee day-to-day data center operations, monitor SLAs, and manage incident response and escalation processes.
- Manage capacity planning, resource utilization, and infrastructure availability for optimal performance.
- Oversee operation and maintenance of critical systems (electrical, UPS, backup power, cooling, environmental control, fire protection, security systems).
- Coordinate with vendors and contractors for all aspects of maintenance, testing, and commissioning.
- Drive infrastructure lifecycle management, asset management, and preventive and corrective maintenance programs.
- Ensure compliance with security, privacy, health, safety, and environmental requirements.
- Lead audit readiness activities and manage risk assessments and mitigation plans.
- Act as main point of contact for customers and stakeholders, managing expectations and driving satisfaction initiatives.
- Identify and implement operational improvements and innovation for better workflow, service delivery, and facility efficiency.
Must have requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering 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.
- Experience in vendor and contractor management.
- Strong knowledge of operational governance frameworks (SOPs, MOPs/EOPs, documentation, and standardization across sites).
- Expertise in data center critical infrastructure systems (electrical UPS, generators, switchgears, power distribution, mechanical chiller/cooling, pumps).
- Familiarity with operational and audit practices in compliance with ISO, Uptime Institute and industry standards.
- Experience in capacity, asset and maintenance management including RCM, preventive, and corrective maintenance strategies.
- Proficient with monitoring systems (BMS, EPMS, DCIM, fire detection, access control, alarm management).
- Strong understanding of KPI definition, incident analysis, and operational reporting.
- Solid background in HSE practices including permit to work, LOTO, contractor safety, and critical environment safety.
Nice to have requirements
- Professional certifications such as PMP, ITIL, or Uptime Institute certification.
- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
- Experience in the UAE or GCC region’s industrial or data center zones.
- Working knowledge of project management methodologies, Lean, or Six Sigma practices.
- Proficiency in Arabic language.