WeConnect Data Center Manager

Description

Position is open until filled. Applications are being reviewed as they are received.

Westerville is a vibrant city of more than 40,000 residents and a leader in job creation in the region. The community boasts 41 parks and a recently expanded, state-of-the-art, indoor recreation facility. Westerville, commonly referred to as “a city within a park”, operates an accredited, nationally recognized Parks & Recreation system. Westerville’s strategic location, coupled with its innovative spirit and full offering of attractively priced municipal utilities, has made it a leading choice for new and expanding businesses. If this sounds like a community you want to be a part of, apply now!

The WeConnect Data Center Manager is responsible for the overall operation, security, and strategic growth of the WeConnect Data Center. This includes ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and security of the infrastructure, while also driving business development and aligning with the city's economic development goals. This role requires a strong leader with technical expertise, business acumen, and experience managing complex data center environments within a municipal setting.

SUPERVISION

This position reports to the Chief Information Officer

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF WORK

• Leadership & Team Management: Lead and develop the WeConnect staff, fostering a high-performance culture, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Data Center Operations: Oversee all aspects of data center operations, including physical infrastructure (power, cooling, security systems), IT infrastructure (servers, storage, networking), and related systems. Ensure optimal performance, reliability, and security. Manage operations through a software-driven platform, leveraging data and metrics for informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Financial Management: Develop and manage the WeConnect operational budget, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, tracking expenses, and identifying cost efficiencies. Collaborate with the CIO, Deputy Director of IT, and Director of Finance on financial planning and feasibility.
• Strategic Planning & Business Development: Collaborate with the CIO and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategic plans aligned with the city's and WeConnect's goals. Work closely with the City's Economic Development team to support initiatives that leverage WeConnect's capabilities to promote economic growth. Work with the Sales team to ensure appropriate pricing and margins.
• Compliance & Security: Ensure compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., CJIS, LEADS) and industry standards for data center operations and telecommunications. Stay informed about changes in data privacy regulations and compliance standards. Implement and maintain robust security protocols and systems.
• Project Management: Manage projects related to facility maintenance, expansion, upgrades, and new technology implementation.
• Stakeholder Management: Develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including city officials, customers, and partners. Collaborate effectively with supporting city departments.
• Vendor Management: Maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure readily available equipment, spare parts, and consumables.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks, develop mitigation strategies, and implement contingency plans to ensure business continuity.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• Minimum of five years of experience in data center operations, including at least three years in a managerial role.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage technical and sales teams.
• In-depth knowledge of data center infrastructure, IT infrastructure, operating systems, software platforms, cloud computing, and hybrid IT environments.
• Strong understanding of data center security best practices, access controls, intrusion detection, and regulatory requirements (e.g., CJIS, LEADS).
• Proven operational management skills, including streamlining processes, ensuring efficiency, managing workflows, incident/problem/change management, and supply chain management.
• Strong strategic, business and financial acumen, including budget development, cost tracking, and data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Project management experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a municipal or government environment.
• Knowledge of economic development principles and strategies.
• Familiarity with telecommunications regulations and policies.

HEALTH BENEFITS
Employees pay 15% of the monthly medical insurance premium through United Healthcare which includes prescription coverage. Employee, Employee plus child(ren), Employee plus spouse and family coverage is available. However, a spouse who has affordable health care coverage through their employer must elect that coverage as primary. The City health care plan is a high deductible healthcare plan.

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Annually, the City will deposit 85% of your health insurance deductible amount into an HSA account in your name.

VISION AND DENTAL
The City pays 100% of the premium for dental and vision. Coverage levels will be explained in further detail at time of hire.

LIFE INSURANCE
The City pays 100% of the premium on a $100,000 life insurance policy for employee and $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for child.

RETIREMENT PENSION
The City contributes 14% monthly toward retirement benefits offered through the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System. The employee pension payment share is 10% of gross salary.

VACATION
New employees accrue two weeks of paid vacation every year. Vacation time increases with length of service time.

PERSONAL LEAVE
Employees receive 6 prorated days of personal leave annually.