Director of Operations East - Sabey Data Centers

At a glance

Another Source is partnering with Sabey Data Centers to find a Director of Operations, East based in Ashburn, VA. In this role, you'll lead mission-critical operations across Sabey’s East Coast portfolio, developing high-performing teams and setting the operational direction for data center environments in Ashburn and New York. You'll partner closely with senior leadership, customers, and operations teams to drive reliability, strengthen operational standards, and support Sabey’s continued growth. We’re looking for a people-first data center leader who can see the big picture, develop other leaders, and bring the strategic thinking and operational judgment needed in a 24/7 mission-critical environment. Already leading at the Director level or an accomplished Data Center Manager ready for broader responsibility? We’d love to connect. 📍 Location: Ashburn, VA💰 Salary: $174,107–$261,160 + discretionary annual bonus✈️ Travel: Approximately 25%✅ Comprehensive benefits, generous PTO, 401(k) match, and exceptional opportunities for long-term career growth.

Description: What you'll be doing

Another Source's client, Sabey Data Centers is recruiting a Director of Operations – East to join their team in Ashburn, VA. This is an opportunity to lead mission-critical operations across Sabey’s East Coast portfolio, shaping the teams, standards, and strategies that keep highly complex data center environments operating reliably around the clock. You’ll have broad influence across operations, customer experience, compliance, financial performance, and the continued development of Sabey’s data center leadership team. 

Who is Sabey Data Centers? 

Sabey Data Centers is a premier multi-tenant data center provider, setting the standard for operational excellence, efficiency, and sustained uptime. With over 20 years of expertise and three million square feet of mission-critical space, Sabey is the largest privately-owned data center owner and operator in the United States. Their cutting-edge facilities—located in Tukwila, WA (20 minutes outside Seattle); East Wenatchee, WA; Quincy, WA; New York, NY; Ashburn, VA; and Austin, TX, with a new location coming soon in Umatilla, OR—support top-tier financial institutions, technology giants, media powerhouses, and healthcare leaders, delivering unparalleled reliability, security, and scalability. By prioritizing sustainability and innovation, Sabey Data Centers continues to shape the digital infrastructure of the future. 

SDC is one of the few companies in the industry that both builds and operates its own facilities, giving employees a unique end-to-end view of the data center world. We foster a culture where people who are humble, hungry, and smart are truly valued, supported, and promoted from within. Sabey is deeply committed to being a responsible community partner, returning unused energy to grids and collaborating with local utilities for sustainable impact. While competitors may offer higher salaries, few can match Sabey's positive culture, purpose-driven mission, and long-term career growth opportunities. 

About this role 

As Director of Operations – East, you will be responsible for the 24/7 operational performance and reliability of Sabey’s data center environments across the region. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations and leading Regional Data Center Managers, you will translate company strategy into consistent operational execution while ensuring facilities are maintained and operated to Sabey’s standards. 

This role combines strategic leadership with meaningful operational accountability. You’ll develop leaders, oversee budgets and expenses, strengthen standards and compliance programs, build trusted customer relationships, and partner across the organization to continuously improve how Sabey operates its mission-critical facilities. 

How you will spend your time 

• Lead and develop Regional Data Center Managers, creating alignment around strategic priorities, operational expectations, and Sabey’s culture. 

• Build highly skilled, productive teams through thoughtful hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and career development. 

• Oversee the operational performance and reliability of data center facilities, ensuring teams consistently meet quality, scheduling, budgetary, policy, and procedural standards. 

• Develop and execute strategic objectives that support Sabey’s colocation business model and long-term operational goals. 

• Manage budgets and expenses with accountability for meeting or exceeding established financial and operational objectives. 

• Review and approve maintenance, support, and repair contracts supporting critical facility operations. 

• Build strong relationships with tenants and key customers, responding effectively to operational needs and providing regular reporting that supports customer and compliance requirements. 

• Maintain, evaluate, and continuously improve SDC operational standards, policies, and procedures. 

• Lead and evolve compliance programs supporting data center certifications, including monitoring program performance and implementing improvements. 

• Partner with Risk Management, Internal Audit, Employee Services, Human Resources, and other teams to address compliance matters and strengthen organizational practices. 

• Establish consistent processes for evaluating and addressing potential violations of policies, procedures, and standards of conduct. 

• Monitor compliance activities and trends across the organization and ensure leaders have visibility into emerging issues. 

• Partner with Human Resources and other departments to support effective compliance training for new and existing employees and managers. 

• Communicate effectively with employees, tenants, vendors, senior leadership, and other stakeholders across both local and remote environments. 

• Provide leadership during building emergencies and other operational events requiring timely response outside standard business hours. 

• Leverage emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency in areas such as documentation, communication, meeting notes, and operational tracking. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• 10+ years of management experience within a critical data center environment. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or equivalent professional experience. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and maintain highly skilled and productive teams. 

• Strong leadership capabilities across planning, estimating, scheduling, risk management, resource management, prioritization, and conflict resolution. 

• Proven analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities. 

• Strong understanding of customer, competitive, and market dynamics within the data center industry. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels, including customers and senior leadership. 

• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously without compromising quality. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, Microsoft Project, and AutoCAD. 

• Aptitude and willingness to learn and utilize AI tools and emerging technologies. 

Sabey's Investment in You 

Sabey is committed to building an enduring, next-generation company that values and invests in the success of its team members. Through SabeyLife, a holistic well-being initiative, Sabey provides the resources, benefits, and support to help employees thrive both professionally and personally. https://sabey.com/about/careers 

SabeyLife includes: 

• Comprehensive Benefits: Sabey covers 100% of employee-only premiums for base medical and PPO dental plans and contributes up to $2,000 annually to a Health Savings Account (HSA). 

• Time to Recharge: Up to 5 weeks of PTO based on tenure, plus 10 paid holidays and the ability to carry over unused PTO. 

• Financial Wellness: Competitive, matched 401(k) retirement plan. 

• Growth & Development: Access to structured professional and personal development programs, including Thought Patterns for High Performance, Everything DiSC, and Built to Last. 

Sabey offers long-term career growth, internal mobility, and a culture where people who are humble, hungry, and smart are supported and promoted from within — something few competitors can match. 

The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $174,107 - $261,160 plus bonus eligibility 

Learn more about Sabey and their organization here: http://6126385.hs-sites.com/sabey-jobs 

Sabey Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sabey Data Centers and Sabey Construction, are equal opportunity employers and drug-free workplaces. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and pre-employment drug screening. 

Another Source works with its clients on a retained basis. We encourage candidates who meet most — though not necessarily all — of the qualifications to apply and share their story. 

If you need assistance or accommodation to apply, please contact Sabey Human Resources at 206-919-3054 or [email protected]. 

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