Datacenter Systems and Design Program Manager

Position:         Data Center Systems and Design Program Manager

Reports To:    Director Security & Safety Operations

Location:        United States, VA (Ashburn, Sterling) or TX (Plano, Richardson)

FLSA:  Exempt

Salary: $110,000 - $130,000

SUMMARY

The Data Center Systems and Design Program Manager (DC-SDPM) is a professional who specializes in designing and implementing security systems and measures for our client’s global datacenter and managing the program. To accomplish this, they engage in the day-to-day project efforts, is responsible for the key project teams and dependency partners to deliver the security solution.

The DC-SDPM must be capable of working on their own initiative to provide risk-based services for the deployment of datacenter security solutions and connected devices for our client. Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, ensuring their satisfaction and trust.

Clients’ needs are rapidly changing in this dynamic work environment, and it is essential the DC-SDPM maintains a flexible, logical, open minded, and adaptive approach. By combining your skills, creativity and customer focus you will support and ensure competitive technical solutions are deployed in line with our global standards and in the process deliver a world class service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Project Intake:

• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and schedule.
• Develop a detailed project plan, including timelines, milestones, and resource requirements.
• Identify risks and establish risk management strategies to mitigate potential issues.
• Evaluate local partner capabilities.
• Provide cost estimates for new project planning (Project Expenditure Request Input).
• Provide risk-based consulting services for all projects.
• Using all available resources, undertake security risk assessment to identify vulnerability and threat prior to deciding on appropriate mitigation.
• Tender all security requirement packages and provide evaluated results back to stakeholders with recommendations, ensuring best value for the customer always.

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the security systems and design program, defining strategy, governance, and delivery frameworks.
• Develop a multi-year roadmap for security technology deployment and lifecycle management.
• Translate organizational security goals into actionable design and implementation plans.
• Collaborate with internal partners (Data Center Engineering, Construction, IT, Operations, and Compliance) to align security initiatives with business priorities.
• Provide visibility into program progress, risks, and outcomes through executive reporting and performance metrics.

Project participation:

• The DC-SDPM should be part of all the project calls and have a dedicated security touch base call weekly.
• The DC-SDPM should have an active tracker in their Smartsheet project or project SharePoint on open security or dependency trade issues/deliverables.
• When not available, the consultant should ensure the security integrator can attend for security representation.
• Ensure all meeting minutes/action items are issued within one business day following meeting closure.
• Ensure compliance with Global Security Design Requirements (GSDR), General Data Protection Regulation Laws, Client’s standards, processes, cost, and quality is maintained throughout.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, ensuring their satisfaction and trust.
• As the DC-SDPM for physical security ensure you maintain currency (working practices, risk, threat, regulatory, standards, technology) to ensure you can deliver the essential skills  by your role.
• Retain full accountability of all assigned projects from inception to completion, providing appropriate handover, necessary support and guidance to the project manager and other team members when required. This will include assessment of all changes/variations from the original requirements to ensure they are in accordance with the client's requirements and represent the best value.
• Support with audits as instructed.

Communication:

• Establish communication channels (Teams, Emails, Meetings) to ensure effective information flow among project stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate, up to date trackers/reporting tools and provide Daily, Weekly, Monthly reporting metrics demonstrating your activity, value, and impact.
• Address stakeholder concerns and manage expectations to maintain stakeholder engagement and satisfaction.
• Maintain communication cadence in accordance with Client’s expectations, process, and requirements. This will include all communications mediums (photos, reports, meeting minutes, project updates, trackers, email, presentations) and at all stages of our delivery (e.g., from concept pre-requirements, stakeholder reviews through to project close out).
• Delegate duties when out of office to ensure tasks are being maintained and completed.
•  best practices, collaborate with colleagues & peers across a worldwide organization.
• Design:
• The DC-SDPM will ensure the design partner is developing security design in accordance with client’s physical security design requirements.
• Any alteration to standards will be flagged to the client and an exception will be submitted by the consultant.
• The DC-SDPM will provide design updates weekly to the project team on status/delivery.
• The DC-SDPM will schedule a page turn of the security final design with the stakeholders to run through and sign off across the board.
• The DC-SDPM will ensure that the design is distributed to dependency trades and incorporated into the overall project plan.
• The DC-SDPM will vet the door hardware schedule to functionality with our security design approach.
• The DC-SDPM will vet the emergency egress plan to verify functionality with our security design plan.
• Contribute, develop, and provide guidance on the Global Security Design Requirements (GSDR) policy and continual improvement of the specific regional standards, processes and supporting documentation.
• Contribute to the development and continual improvement of the specific standards, processes and supporting documentation. Ensure all processes are optimized and continually aligned to the client requirements.

Program Management:

• Foster a positive team culture and resolve conflicts or issues that may arise during project execution.
• A project plan must be created for every project small or large.
• This includes ensuring that the schedule are up-to date with-in at least the last two weeks.
• A repository must be connected to the large project plans, and small (where applicable on small)
• The DC-SDPM will ensure all project issues, risks, gaps, exception are documented in the Smartsheet raid log as soon as the issues is defined.
• Identify potential risks and uncertainties that may impact project objectives or outcomes.
• Assess the likelihood and impact of risks and develop risk response strategies to minimize their effects.
• Monitor risk triggers and implement contingency plans as necessary to mitigate or address emerging risks.
• The DC-SDPM will escalate site issues which impact security/schedule/cost to the client with-in 24 hours of discovery, unless critical which should prompt immediate comms and a call.

Delivery:

• The DC-SDPM will pull in the following partners 6-8 weeks in advance of practical completion to align on plan/schedule GSAM (Access Management) - Develop the site access levels and assignment to employee's and staff GSDS Systems (System Techs) - Device Programming
• Pre-Commissioning Preparation:
• Verify the site's security plan, design specifications, and installation documentation is completed to standards and requirements.
• Coordinate with the project team, security personnel, and relevant stakeholders to schedule commissioning activities and ensure access to necessary locations.

Physical Inspection:

• Conduct a thorough inspection of all physical security components, including cameras, access control systems, intrusion detection sensors, and perimeter barriers.
• Verify that all hardware is installed correctly, securely mounted, and properly aligned to provide optimal coverage and functionality.
• Functional Testing:
• Witness-Test each security system individually to ensure proper functionality and performance.
• Witness - Test access control systems by scanning credentials (e.g. access cards, biometrics) and verifying that access permissions are correctly enforced.
• Witness-Test surveillance cameras by checking live video feeds, PTZ controls, motion detection, and recording functionality.
• Witness-Test intrusion detection sensors by triggering alarms and verifying that alerts are generated and received as expected.
• Integration Testing:
• Test the integration between different security systems to ensure seamless operation and interoperability.
• Verify that access control systems are integrated with surveillance cameras for video verification of access events.

• Test integration between intrusion detection sensors and alarm systems to trigger immediate alerts and response actions.
• Network Connectivity and Communication Testing:
• Verify network connectivity for all security devices to ensure they can communicate with each other and with central monitoring stations.
• Verify that IP addresses, subnet masks, gateways, and DNS settings are configured correctly for each device.
• Have GNS conduct bandwidth testing to ensure that network bandwidth is sufficient to support video streaming and data transmission from surveillance cameras and other security devices.

Environmental and Power Testing:

• Witness-Test environmental monitoring systems, such as temperature sensors, to ensure they can detect and respond to environmental threats.
• Verify that power backup systems, such as UPS units and backup generators, are operational and capable of providing uninterrupted power in case of outages.
• Alarm and Notification Testing:
• Verify with GSOC and GSDS alarm notification system configuration and GSOC visibility is completed to ensure that alerts are delivered promptly to designated recipients via email, SMS, or other communication channels.
• Verify that alarm signals are received and acknowledged by central monitoring stations and security personnel.
• Documentation and Training:
• Document the results of commissioning tests, including any issues or discrepancies identified, and record corrective actions taken.
• Where applicable (turnstiles controller, intercom systems etc.) Verify the local tech has provided training to reception & security personnel on the operations.
• Where applicable (turnstiles controller, intercom systems etc.) Verify the local tech has provided relevant troubleshooting documentation to the GSDS systems team and local PE team.
• Ensure design team updates as-built drawings, manuals, and documentation to reflect any changes made during commissioning.

Final Acceptance and Handover:

• Conduct a final walkthrough of the site with key stakeholders to review commissioning results and address any outstanding issues or concerns.
• Will ensure quality assurance of delivery.
• Work completion to standards.
• Patch/painting completed for blemishes.
• Work cleanliness is acceptable.
• Obtain formal acceptance of the commissioned security systems from the stakeholders.
• This must mean all delivery works are completed, site is fully operational, there are no-punch list items and no open issues.

MINIMUM HIRING STANDARDS

• Additional qualifications may be specified and receive preference, depending upon the nature of the position.
• Must have a reliable means of communication, such as cell phone.
• Must have a reliable means of transportation (public or private).
• Must hold or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license or equivalent.
• Must have the legal right to work in the country where the position is located.
• Must have the ability to speak, read, and write English proficiently.
• Must be willing to participate in the Company’s pre-employment screening process, including drug screen and background investigation.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Security Management, Project/Program Management, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience managing large-scale data center physical security or infrastructure programs.
• Proven experience delivering security system design and implementation projects in mission-critical or data center environments.
• Strong knowledge of physical security technologies (access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, and integration platforms).
• Demonstrated expertise in program management practices (e.g., PMI, Agile, or hybrid methodologies).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Subject matter expert in datacenter security.
• Must be I.T literate and proficient.
• An understanding of IT principles and practices
• Must be proficient and familiar in the use of Client’s Office products.
• Travel  up to 20%.
• Knowledge of local code/regulation/legislation knowledge is desirable.
• Experience of AutoCAD LT for creation and manipulation of 2D security layout designs is desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to travel(international or domestic, as required) approximately, occasionally with limited notice.
• Able to work evening or weekend hours when required, such as during an emergency event or crisis.

COMPETENCIES

• Accountable - You take ownership of issues, responsibility for your actions, decisions and their outcomes and hold yourself accountable for what you commit to.
• Adaptable - You adapt quickly to variations in your work and your effectiveness is not impacted by change. You embrace change in a positive manner, remain flexible and versatile and act as an advocate for change.
• Analytical - You gather and analyze information from different viewpoints before using your judgement to make effective, logical, informed decisions.
• Commercial - You can evaluate what represents best economic or best value for the customer.
• Commitment - You are self-motivated to achieve a goal, maintaining dedication to your cause despite obstacles and frustrations. You are persistent and remain focused on the task at hand.
• Communicator - You communicate clearly and effectively information, thoughts, and ideas, verbally or in writing. You simplify complexities and adapt the communication appropriately so others can understand.
• Customer Focused - You continually assess, explore better ways, and propose innovative ideas to serve our customers. By ensuring their needs are at the center of everything we do and providing a positive experience in delivery of our service.
• Detail Orientated - You focus on detail and ensure a right first-time approach by making sure your work is accurate and error free. You follow processes, operating firmly within set standards, rules, and guidelines.