SVP Operations | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: RemoteOK

Job Description

Serverfarm is a leading developer and operator of data centers with over 750+ locations and key customer relationships in 45 countries. We're revolutionizing how data centers operate across North America, Western Europe, and Israel, serving the world's leading technology and hyperscale companies. With Manulife Investment Management's acquisition in 2023 and our award-winning InCommand platform we're positioned for explosive growth as AI adoption and cloud migration drive unprecedented demand for data center capacity.

A career at Serverfarm means being at the forefront of digital infrastructure innovation, where your work directly impacts how the world's data is managed and secured. As we target 4x growth over the next four years, you'll have unprecedented opportunities to take on new challenges, develop cutting-edge skills, and grow your career across our expanding global operations.

Join our team of innovators and help shape the future of sustainable data centers while building a career without boundaries.

Serverfarm is a leading developer and operator of data centers in North America, and EMEA, and has key customer relationships with rapidly growing hyperscale, technology and enterprise customers. In September 2023, Manulife Investment Management acquired a controlling interest in Serverfarm, which allows the company greater access to capital to accelerate the expansion of its data center portfolio on a worldwide basis. The company is positioned to capture the growing demand for data center capacity that continues to grow globally, fueled by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and companies’ continued transition of data workloads and storage to the cloud.

Key Accountabilities
Executive Leadership

• Deputize for the COO, providing leadership across global operations, strategic priorities, and major business initiatives; serve as second-in-command ensuring continuity of decision-making and execution
• Represent Operations with Executive Leadership, the Board, investors, and key customers; translate corporate strategy into operational plans and long-term growth roadmaps, partnering with Product, Development, Construction, Finance, Legal, Security, and Commercial teams
  

Operational Governance & Performance

• Establish and govern global operational standards, SOPs, maintenance frameworks, and KPI framework (uptime, SLA, MTTR, energy, safety, staffing, customer experience)
• Ensure robust compliance frameworks are maintained across all operating regions, including regulatory obligations, customer commitments, certifications, and internal controls
• Oversee business continuity, disaster recovery, and crisis management processes are maintained, tested, and continuously improved, lead RCA and executive response for major incidents
• Drive continuous improvement, standardization, and efficiency across regions, embedding best practice and operational discipline
• Provide executive oversight of the Global Network Operations Centre (GNOC), ensuring 24x7 monitoring, incident response, escalation management and service continuity across the portfolio
  

Safety, Reliability & Engineering

• Lead the global safety program, ensuring strong safety culture, regulatory compliance, risk management, and consistent standards across all regions
• Provide executive oversight of critical environment management (electrical, mechanical, cooling, controls) and lifecycle management of in-life critical assets
• Partner with Development, Construction, and Engineering to embed operational requirements in new designs and retrofits; standardize commissioning, integrated systems testing, and operational handover
  

Customer & Service Delivery

• Establish executive relationships with key hyperscale, enterprise, and strategic customers; own oversight of escalations and ensure timely resolution and clear communication
• Lead operational service delivery to consistently achieve SLAs and contractual commitments, drive transparency through reporting, service reviews, and improvement planning
• Support commercial and sales teams during major customer pursuits, due diligence, and operational solution development
  

Financial Planning & Growth

• Lead operational OpEx and CapEx planning and delivery, with accountability for forecasting, cost control and financial performance against plan
• Partner with Finance on cost modelling for new sites, expansions, customer opportunities, and strategic investment plans; supporting commercial decision-making and capital allocation
• Oversee long-term capacity planning across power, space, cooling, staffing, and infrastructure; lead operational due diligence and integration for acquisitions and expansion
• Develop hiring and workforce strategies to support new campus openings, expansions, and long-term operational capability; Take a lead in establishing new regional structures to facilitate growth
  

Energy, Sustainability & ESG

• Own operational energy strategy, including procurement, resilience planning, renewables, efficiency, and utility relationships
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, H&S, and industry certification requirements (ISO, SOC, customer-specific programs)
• Develop resilience strategies addressing grid constraints, utility risks, climate-related impacts, and infrastructure vulnerabilities
  

Technology & Automation

• Drive adoption of automation, infrastructure technology, and digital tools to improve monitoring, maintenance, reporting, and operational efficiency
• Manage strategic supplier and vendor relationships, ensuring service quality, resilience, innovation, and value for money
  

People & Organization

• Lead, coach, and develop operational leaders and teams; build succession planning frameworks
• Foster a high-performance culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement; provide regular reporting on operational performance, talent, safety, risk, and strategic progress
  

Key Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in colocation, hyperscale, mission-critical facilities, or similarly complex multi-site environments
• Strong track record of leading large-scale operations with accountability for uptime, safety, customer service, and financial performance
• Demonstrated success delivering operational growth, new site launches, or capacity expansion programs across multiple locations
• Strong commercial capability with experience managing significant operational CapEx budgets
• Knowledge of energy strategy, utilities management, sustainability programs, or infrastructure efficiency initiatives
• Experience driving operational excellence through automation, technology enablement, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong strategic planning capability, including long-term capacity planning and scaling operations to meet business growth
• Customer-focused mindset with experience managing escalations, service delivery, and executive stakeholder relationships
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams across geographies and functions
• Honesty and integrity, with excellent communication, influencing, and executive stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical and decision-making capability, using data and KPIs to drive performance and prioritization
• Role involves international travel (approximately 30%)
  

Serverfarm is committed to providing an equal opportunity workplace and offers paid time off, paid holidays, 401k and FULL coverage medical, dental and vision. Our compensation philosophy rewards employees for achieving the values and objectives aligned with the company’s goals and strategic initiatives.

The listed salary range for this position is an estimate based on the competitive job market. Final compensation will be based on your own individual skills, experience, and location.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this role. They are not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of all possible responsibilities and duties. We encourage you to apply even if your experience isn't an exact match to the job description.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Expert Career Tips for SVP Operations Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a SVP Operations , you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with SVP Operations requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Global and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This SVP Operations position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.