Operations Lead, France

Description

At CloudHQ, our mission is to deliver flexible, efficient, and resilient data center solutions to businesses worldwide. Founded by a pioneer in data center REITs, we are a rapidly growing organization with state-of-the-art data center sites globally in locations such as Ashburn, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Osaka, and São Paulo. As we embark on an exciting phase of global growth, we are looking for top-tier talent to drive our success and shape the future of CloudHQ.

Role Overview

The France Data Center Operations Lead is responsible for all operational activities across France, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and alignment with global strategies. This role requires strategic leadership, financial oversight, and team development across multiple sites.

Key Responsibilities

General Management and Leadership

• Lead and manage all data center operations in France, ensuring alignment with regional and global strategies.
• Develop and execute country-level operational plans, including cost optimization, compliance, and efficiency initiatives.
• Build and lead high-performing teams across operations, properties, security, and compliance functions.
• Coach, mentor, and develop direct managers, fostering leadership capabilities and succession planning.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence across all sites.
• Represent the company in industry forums, regulatory engagements, and with strategic partners.

Operational Oversight

• Ensure operational excellence across all sites, maintaining uptime, reliability, and adherence to global standards.
• Define and monitor KPIs and performance metrics for operational efficiency and quality.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, sustainability, and risk management.
• Collaborate with technical leadership for infrastructure scalability and resilience, without direct technical ownership.
• Implement risk management strategies, including disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Financial and Regulatory Management

• Manage country-level budgets, including planning, forecasting, and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with local laws, regulations, and corporate governance standards.
• Liaise with legal, finance, and compliance teams to mitigate risks and maintain operational integrity.

Sustainability and Innovation

• Lead initiatives for energy efficiency and carbon reduction across data center operations.
• Explore and adopt innovative technologies to optimize operational performance and sustainability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• MBA or equivalent preferred.

Requirements

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years in operations management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing complex, multi-site environments.
• Proven experience in data center operations or similar mission-critical infrastructure environments.

Leadership Skills

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and develop managers.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities.

Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of data center infrastructure, including:
  • Electrical systems (UPS, generators, PDUs)
  • Mechanical systems (HVAC, CRAC/CRAH)
  • Network connectivity (fiber, structured cabling)
• Familiarity with DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) and BMS (Building Management Systems) tools.
• Knowledge of industry standards, including ISO 27001, ISO 50001, ASHRAE, TIA-942, and Uptime Institute Tier Standards.
• Ability to implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Understanding of energy efficiency metrics (e.g., PUE) and sustainability best practices.

Other Skills

• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, global environment.

Language

• Native French speaker with fluent English and professional business proficiency.