What are the responsibilities and job description for the Critical Facilities Manager - Data Center position at Wesco?
Ascent, now part of Wesco, is a leading provider of mission-critical facility solutions across North America. With deep expertise in data center development, engineering, and operations, Ascent supports thousands of sites for top-tier clients, delivering reliable performance and innovative technology. As part of the Wesco family, Ascent continues to set the standard for safety, service, and operational excellence in the critical infrastructure sector.
The Critical Facilities Manager - Data Center is responsible for leading the daily operations and maintenance of mission-critical infrastructure within a 24x7 data center environment. This role oversees a team of technical staff and vendors, ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of all building systems—including electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and life safety. The Critical Facilities Manager - Data Center drives preventative and emergency maintenance programs, enforces operational standards, and supports strategic planning to maintain uptime and optimize performance. Additional responsibilities include vendor management, change control implementation, and adherence to safety and compliance protocols.
Responsibilities
- Provide on-site field coordination supervision and project management support for the operation of a data center.
- Effectively manage a 24x7 site operations team of technical and administrative staff.
- Management of mission critical equipment used to operate and maintain a data center.
- Management of systems and physical environment integration (life safety, mechanical, plumbing, and power related activities and issues).
- Report discrepancies and trends to the operations team and clients.
- Manage preventative and emergency maintenance schedules and procedures for building systems; identify back-up and replacement inventory needs for critical systems.
- Oversee all maintenance schedules and providers.
- Provide on-call support (24x7).
- Assist in updates of standard practices consistent for data center operations and equipment.
- Oversee and coordinate sub-contractors to assure proper installation of equipment and delivery of maintenance services.
- Troubleshoot emergencies, equipment problems, and technical issues, organize and oversee resolutions.
- Provide ongoing technical support, management and oversight of vendors as necessary.
- Completes daily inspections.
- Complete inspections and maintenance. Scheduled maintenance may include, but is not limited to, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annual equipment maintenance.
- Manage maintenance team to self-perform numerous Electrical/HVAC preventative maintenance activities including but not limited to:
- Filter changes
- Generator operating tests
- UPS/ATS/STS transfer tests and operation
- Provide field technical support related to redundancy, reliability and maintainability for the data center:
- Current needs
- Long-term objectives and strategic planning
- Primary focus shall be on uptime (99.9999%) and cost saving opportunities
- Supported by Corporate Engineering group
- Development and implementation of Change Control Program
- Method of Procedure (MOP), Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and Emergency Recovery Procedure (ERP) development
- Administrator for onsite Critical Facility Work Rules
- Vendor onboarding and familiarization
- Safety inspections and adherence to company safety policies.
- Administrative policies/procedures
- Scope of Work standards
- Spare parts management
- Reporting development
Qualifications
- 5 years of experience as a Critical Facilities Manager or other relevant experience.
- Technically proficient in planning and scheduling and exhibit excellent organizational skills.
- Strong communication skills, the ability to lead coordination meetings, and actively facilitate progress in order to achieve scheduled goals.
- Knowledge of construction planning, mechanical or electrical systems necessary, building controls, fire systems, and security systems.
- Knowledge of building automation systems.
- Electrical/HVAC certification preferred.
- Ability to work cooperatively with internal administration groups, and effectively contend with customers and contractors to reach mutually acceptable terms and conditions.
- Proficiency with MS Excel, MS Word, MS Project. Knowledge of AutoCAD is a plus.
The data center work environment is a highly secure, physically demanding, and structured operation, characterized by its loud, controlled temperature conditions and 24/7/365 uptime. The environment demands a high attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills to manage and troubleshoot critical equipment during regular operation and in emergency situations. Lifting up to 50 lbs, regular bending, stooping, climbing and long periods of walking / standing will be required.