About the role

Project Director

Entity

Sterling and Wilson

Designation

Project Director

Business Unit

To be filled by Internal HR

Grade

To be filled by Internal HR

Function

Data Centre Operations

Level

Senior Management

Job Purpose

The Project Director – Data Center Projects is responsible for end-to-end leadership, execution, and delivery of assigned data center projects from design through commissioning and handover. The role ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory standards, while aligning with organizational strategy and operational objectives defined by the COO. The Project Director acts as the single-point owner for project performance, stakeholder coordination, and risk management across the project lifecycle.

Roles & Responsibilities

Key Responsibility Areas

Operational Excellence:
- Ensure seamless data center operations including power management, Project Directory, physical security, and maintenance.
- Implement best practices to achieve maximum uptime and reliability.
- Overall responsible for managing the entire Data Centre (Infrastructure, Servers, Networks, Applications, security, and MIS).
Data Centre Strategy & Operations:
- Overall responsible for the technological infrastructure (network and connectivity, data security, storage, and computer systems) for the client organization to ensure optimal performance.
- Leading projects & initiatives, which includes the complete lifecycle, i.e., design, development, and deployment stage of the projects.
- Evaluating, selecting, and implementing suitable technology to streamline all internal operations and help optimize their strategic benefits.
- Enable Designing and customizing data centre systems and platforms to improve customer experience.
- Planning & implementation of new projects that have been implemented.
- Monitoring changes/advancements in technology to discover ways the client can gain a competitive advantage.
- Coaching, mentoring, motivating, and providing direction to enhance the skills, capabilities, and engagement levels of the team members working on client engagements & service delivery.
- Ensuring smooth functioning of day-to-day routine operations, analyzing workflows, establishing priorities, developing standards, and ensuring timely execution of all new & existing projects.
- Develop and execute strategic plans for data center expansion, upgrades, and technology advancements in line with organizational growth objectives.
Budget Management:

Oversee financial aspects, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control measures, to ensure operational efficiency and profitability for each project and protect the organization's profit margins.
Compliance and Standards:
- Ensure compliance teams are implementing and executing all project-related tasks with all relevant regulations, standards, and best practices, including ISO (ISO Framework and Standards), NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), and GDPR (a Regulation that focuses on protecting personal data, data confidentiality, and managing the risks).
- Enable Teams in place to maintain high standards of security and data protection for the client and within the organization.
Team Leadership:

Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.
Vendor Management, Contract Negotiation, and Relationship Management:

This is a crucial aspect of the role, requiring cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with vendors, suppliers, and contractors. Implement performance metrics and KPIs to monitor vendor performance, promptly addressing issues to maintain and improve service levels over time. Ensuring all vendor activities comply with legal and regulatory requirements and maintaining comprehensive documentation of all vendor interactions, agreements, and performance evaluations are also key responsibilities.
Technology Leadership:
- Stay informed about the latest trends and advancements in data center technology.
- Regularly attend industry conferences, webinars, and training sessions to remain at the forefront of technological developments.
- Lead the assessment and implementation of innovative technologies to enhance data center operations.
- Collaborate with IT teams to integrate new solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and boost performance.
- Develop and execute a strategic technology roadmap for the data center.
- Align technology initiatives with overall business goals and ensure technology investments deliver maximum value.
Risk Management, Risk Identification:

As a Data Centre Strategist, Establish and maintain processes to identify potential risks to data center operations. Conducting regular risk assessments to pinpoint vulnerabilities and areas of concern and developing and implementing comprehensive risk mitigation strategies will be a critical part of your role. Key responsibilities will also ensure that contingency plans and disaster recovery protocols are in place and regularly tested and that data center operations comply with relevant security standards and regulatory requirements. Your ability to implement robust security measures to protect against data breaches and other security threats and to lead the response to operational incidents and disruptions will be crucial in minimizing the impact on operations.
Sustainability Initiatives, Energy Efficiency:
- Drive initiatives to enhance the energy efficiency of data center operations.
- Implement best practices for energy management and monitor energy consumption to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Promote adopting sustainable practices in all aspects of data center management.
- Encourage the use of eco-friendly materials and technologies that reduce environmental impact.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and standards.
- Keep abreast of changes in environmental legislation and adjust operations accordingly to remain compliant.
- Develop and track sustainability metrics to measure the impact of initiatives.
- Report on progress to stakeholders and identify areas for further improvement.

Team Manager Responsibilities

Setting Clear Expectations:

Establish clear goals and objectives for their teams, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. This involves communicating expectations effectively, providing guidance on priorities, and outlining performance metrics to measure success.
Supporting Professional Development:

Actively Support the growth and development of their team members. This includes providing training and skill development opportunities, offering constructive feedback, and facilitating career advancement discussions. Encouraging a continuous learning and improvement culture is essential for fostering a motivated and engaged team.
Fostering Collaboration and Communication:

Enable and Play a crucial role in promoting collaboration and open communication within their teams and across departments. They should create a supportive environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, seeking help when needed, and providing constructive feedback to each other. Regular team meetings, one-on-one discussions, and utilizing appropriate communication channels can help ensure that information flows effectively and everyone feels valued and heard.
Performance Management:

Lead and manage the performance of their team members by providing regular feedback, coaching, and recognition. This involves setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals, monitoring progress, addressing any performance issues promptly, and recognizing and rewarding achievements. Effective performance management fosters accountability, motivation, and continuous improvement within the team.
Training & Development:

Accountable for identifying the training and development needs of their team members and providing opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth. This includes working collaboratively with L&D Team and enabling relevant training programs, mentoring, job rotations, and stretch assignments to help employees develop new competencies and reach their full potential. Investing in the professional development of team members not only strengthens the team but also enhances overall organizational capability and adaptability.
Performance Evaluation:

Enable and Conduct Fair and Objective Performance Evaluations to assess the achievements, strengths, and areas for improvement of their team members. This involves conducting regular performance reviews, soliciting input from multiple sources, and using a variety of assessment tools to evaluate performance accurately. Providing constructive feedback during performance evaluations helps employees understand their progress, identify development opportunities, and align their goals with the organization's objectives.

Key Performance Indicators

Data Centre Uptime and Reliability Metrics
Operational Cost Reduction Percentages
Project Completion Times vs. Deadlines
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Targets Achieved
Team Performance and Development Metrics
Compliance and Audit Readiness Levels
Customer Satisfaction Ratings

Organizational Accountabilities

Promote the implementation and adherence to relevant policies, processes, and operating procedures to others.

Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of systems, processes, and practices, taking into account leading practices, improvement of department processes, cost reduction, and productivity improvement. Build high levels of trust and understanding with key internal and external stakeholders to promote full compliance.

Key Contacts

Key Internal Stakeholders
- Executive Leadership Team
- IT and Digital Transformation Teams
- Operations and Manufacturing Departments
- Procurement and Supply Chain Management Teams
- Finance and Accounting Teams
Key External Stakeholders
- Technology vendors and partners
- Regulatory authorities and compliance bodies
- Industry associations and professional networks
- Customers and clients

Job Qualifications and Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

Expert knowledge of data center design, construction, and operations
Proficiency in IT infrastructure, network systems, and security protocols
Product knowledge on Datacenter / Infrastructure management solutions or Managed services
Requirement Gathering and Solution Proposition Skills
Knowledge of Virtualization and Cloud technologies will be an added advantage.

Education and Certifications

A minimum of 18-21 years of relevant experience in data center operations, with at least 10 years in a leadership role
Proven track record of managing large-scale, high-availability data centers.
Extensive experience in strategic planning, team management, and operational excellence
Graduate / Post graduate degree in Computer science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or related field.

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Excellence
Negotiating and influencing skills
Computer literacy (word, excel, PowerPoint)

Attitude

Strong Work Ethic
Dependability and Responsibility
Possessing a Positive Attitude
Adaptability
Honesty and Integrity
Self-Motivated
Motivated to Grow and Learn
Strong Self-Confidence