Vice President Operations

Job Overview

The VP of Operations will lead and manage all data center operations across current and future markets, including Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, Tunisia, and others. The role entails strategic oversight of facilities, safety, resource management, and the leadership of geographically dispersed operations teams.

This individual will ensure operational excellence, process standardization, and efficient management of mission-critical infrastructure while aligning teams with the organization’s broader objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement unified operational strategies aligned with business goals and industry best practices.
• Oversee data center performance metrics, including uptime, efficiency, and security.
• Optimize resource utilization and capacity planning across all sites.
• Drive operational scalability and standardization.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead multi-country operations teams, providing mentorship, direction, and performance oversight.
• Build a high-performing leadership bench across all markets.
• Foster collaboration between headquarters and local teams.
• Conduct site visits to ensure alignment and address on-ground challenges.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a zero-accident safety culture.
• Design and implement preventive safety measures and procedures.
• Ensure all facilities and teams adhere to relevant safety and compliance standards.

Operational Coordination

• Standardize processes across markets while accommodating regional variations.
• Act as the key liaison between central leadership and local teams.
• Provide both strategic and hands-on support to resolve operational challenges.

Risk Management

• Develop and maintain comprehensive frameworks for business continuity, disaster recovery, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure adherence to international and environmental standards, including ISO.

Performance Monitoring & Efficiency

• Establish KPIs and OKRs to evaluate performance and drive improvements.
• Lead cost-saving and innovation-driven efficiency initiatives.
• Deliver regular updates to senior leadership, identifying opportunities and risks.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Uptime: Eliminate downtime resulting from change through robust change management.
• Safety: Lead with a zero-incident culture and measurable improvement indicators.
• Customer Satisfaction & SLA Compliance: Instill a proactive service culture to meet SLAs.
• Operational Efficiency: Drive cost optimization through innovation and automation.
• Incident Management: Ensure preparedness and rapid response to operational issues.

Key Interactions

Internal

• Executive Leadership: Strategic alignment and resource planning.
• Operations & Engineering: Coordination of design, maintenance, and delivery.
• HR & Finance: Staffing and budgeting.
• Safety & Compliance: Protocol adherence and regulatory coordination.

External

• Contractors & Suppliers: Oversight of construction, equipment, and services.
• Regulatory Authorities: Compliance with international and local standards.
• Customers: Relationship management to ensure SLA compliance and satisfaction.
• Industry Consultants: Leverage external expertise for optimization and innovation.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in operational leadership within data centers or infrastructure environments.
• Proven track record managing multi-country operations.
• Experience leading cross-functional, culturally diverse teams.
• Strong background in procurement, vendor management, and contracts.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Operations (Master’s preferred).
• Fluent in English; Arabic is an advantage.

Technical Competencies

• Data center infrastructure management (power, cooling, security, maintenance).
• Leadership and team development.
• Strategic thinking and execution.
• Crisis management and problem-solving.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Familiarity with operational tools and performance management systems.

Core Values

• Growth Mindset: Continuous improvement, resilience, and adaptability.
• Respect & Integrity: Transparent, inclusive, and trust-based relationships.
• Ownership: Accountability and a proactive drive for results.
• Win-Win Relationships: Collaborative success across teams, clients, and partners.