Campus
OSU-Stillwater
Contact Name & Email
Charlie Metzger, charlie.metzger@okstate.edu
Work Schedule
Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends.
This position is designated as essential. Essential personnel may be required to report to work if contacted by their supervisor or if the university announces “Essential Personnel Only” staffing through the OSU Alert System. Additionally, this position requires on-call duty to respond to urgent situations outside regular shifts. Some duties may require the use of a university vehicle for transportation to on- or off-campus locations.
Appointment Length
Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice
Hiring Range
$70,000 - $97,000
Salary
Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.
About this Position
The Data Center Operations Manager provides leadership and operational oversight for enterprise technology services, ensuring alignment with OSU/A&M System goals, compliance requirements, and departmental priorities. This position is accountable for service delivery, staff performance, and continuous improvement within the assigned domain.
The Data Center Operations Manager is responsible for the overall performance, reliability, and execution of 24/7 data center operations. This role ensures the safe, reliable, efficient, and secure operation of data center facilities, critical IT infrastructure, and supported services by overseeing operations across all shifts and enforcing standard operating procedures (SOPs). The Manager oversees operations through Shift Coordinators, delegating real-time coordination and supervision while maintaining accountability for service performance, staffing models, incident response, and continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)
Five (5) years of related work experience.
Post-secondary education may substitute for years of required experience.
Certifications, Registrations, and/or Licenses:
Valid driver's license
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's
Information Technology, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
-
5+ years of experience in data center operations, IT infrastructure, or facilities management, including 2+ years of experience leading or managing teams in a 24/7 operational environment
Certifications, Registrations, and/or Licenses:
ITIL Foundation, Data Center Certified Associate (DCCA), or equivalent
Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:
- Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
- Data center operations and critical infrastructure fundamentals
- Incident management, escalation, and operational governance
- Staffing models, shift coordination, and workforce planning
Working Conditions: Physical and Environmental Hazards
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and perform physical activities such as stretching, bending, and kneeling. The role also requires working with hands above eye level and below foot level to install or position devices and cables.
- Data Center noise levels are within OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL). However, hearing protection is recommended and provided for use on the Data Center production floor. A cooler-than-average room temperature is maintained to ensure proper cooling of the computing environment. Employees may also be exposed to electrical equipment and energized components; therefore, appropriate electrical safety awareness and adherence to established procedures are required.