Site Operations - Director, Policy and Governance (Critical Facilities)

Company Description

Ascent, LLC is a leading provider of comprehensive solutions for the planning, design, engineering, development, and operation of data centers and other mission critical facilities. Headquartered in Saint Louis, MO, Ascent specializes in powerful, efficient, and technologically advanced mission critical facilities and offers clients a broad range of delivery models spanning shell & core, build-to-suit, turnkey, and outsourced critical systems operations. Founded in 1998, Ascent provides a full spectrum of fast-track services that include project programming, design management, facility assessment, development and construction management, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance operations. Today, Ascent focuses on providing clients with innovative solutions and services yielding the highest levels of operational autonomy, efficiency, and control. Ascent’s clients include some of the most demanding mission critical organizations spanning multiple industries, Fortune 500 firms, and service providers.  Our business is growing fast, and we are currently seeking a talented Site Operations; Director of Policy and Governance

Job Description

Site Operations - Director, Policy and Governance

LOCATION: 

Position may be based in St. Louis, MO, Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX or Chicago, IL

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Site Operations – Director, Policy and Governance is responsible for establishing, implementing, and overseeing operational policies, procedures, and governance standards across all physical data center sites. This role ensures consistent, secure, and compliant site-level operations, aligning with organizational goals, industry regulations, and customer expectations. The position partners with regional site leaders, facilities teams, and compliance functions to enforce operational excellence and reduce risk across all locations.

• Policy & Procedure Leadership:
  • Develop and maintain standardized operational policies and site-level procedures across all data center facilities.
  • Ensure consistent application of physical security, maintenance protocols, access control, and critical infrastructure management.
  • Create and maintain global standards for site-level operations, including preventive maintenance, change management, and emergency procedures.
  • Ensure operational documentation (SOPs, MOPs, EOPs) is up-to-date, consistent, and enforced across all sites.
  • Establish policies that support corporate sustainability targets, including energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.
• Governance & Compliance:
  • Establish and monitor governance frameworks for site operations, including audits, inspections, and performance reviews.
  • Drive compliance with internal standards and external regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI-DSS, Uptime Institute).
  • Coordinate readiness for external audits and certifications.
  • Lead internal control audits across data center sites; track findings, remediation efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to interpret and implement global regulatory requirements at the site level.
  • Ensure physical and operational compliance with environmental health and safety (EHS), data privacy, and security standards.
  • Oversee governance of critical systems such as cooling, power, and fire suppression, ensuring performance thresholds and lifecycle standards are maintained.
  • Define escalation protocols and root cause analysis (RCA) procedures for site-level incidents or anomalies.
• Operational Oversight & Risk Management:
  • Lead risk assessments and incident management protocols across data center sites.
  • Ensure operational resilience, uptime, and continuity plans are documented, tested, and aligned with enterprise risk strategies.
  • Oversee reporting of key operational metrics (SLAs, MTTR, PUE, etc.) and non-compliance events.
  • Conduct regular operational assessments, including readiness drills, gap analyses, and best-practice benchmarking against industry standards.
  • Drive consistency and excellence in site operation KPIs across regions (e.g., uptime, PUE, maintenance schedule adherence).
  • Lead post-incident reviews (PIRs) for major site disruptions and ensure lessons learned are integrated into policy updates.
  • Oversee regional disaster recovery and emergency response plans, ensuring all site teams are properly trained and equipped.
• Training & Culture:
  • Implement a global training and certification program for site operations teams on standard operating procedures and emergency response.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence at each site.
• Stakeholder Collaboration:
  • Serve as a central point of coordination between site operations teams, compliance, facilities, security, and senior leadership.
  • Support strategic initiatives related to sustainability, capacity planning, and ESG reporting from an operational standpoint.
• Vendor & Contract Governance:
  • Establish governance for third-party vendors operating at data center sites to ensure adherence to operational standards and contractual terms.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Facilities Management, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 10–15 years of progressive experience in data center operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing multiple sites or regions.
  • Proven experience in developing and implementing operational policies, governance frameworks, and compliance programs in critical infrastructure environments.
  • Strong background in facilities engineering, critical systems (electrical, mechanical, fire/life safety), and operational risk management.
  • Demonstrated success managing cross-functional teams, including operations, compliance, facilities, and IT/security.
  • Deep understanding of mission-critical systems and infrastructure: UPS, HVAC, chillers, PDUs, generators, BMS, CMMS, and DCIM tools.
• Knowledge of industry frameworks and regulations, including:
  • Uptime Institute Tier Standards
  • ISO standards (ISO 27001, 9001, 22301)
  • SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, and other compliance mandates
• Strong data literacy and experience working with KPI dashboards, audit trails, and governance tools (e.g., GRC platforms, CMMS, ticketing systems).
• Leadership & Communication:
  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to drive cultural change, promote accountability, and lead by influence in a global matrixed organization.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; capable of creating executive-ready reports and presenting complex operational data to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage high-pressure situations, including emergency responses, audits, and high-visibility incidents.
• Certifications (Preferred):
  • CDCP/CDCS/CDCE – Certified Data Centre Professional/Specialist/Expert
  • PMP – Project Management Professional
  • OSHA/EHS certifications
• Proven leadership managing geographically dispersed teams or facilities
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Strong organization, time management, and verbal/written communication skills
• Must possess strong decision making, problem solving, leadership and management abilities
• Familiarity with and ability to read and understand drawings and specifications
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality at all times
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a cross functional team

Ability to travel as required by project / client needs

Additional Information

This position reports to the Vice President, Site Operations.

All interested candidates should visit www.ascentcorp.com and select the Why Ascent / Careers tab to apply for the position.

Ascent, LLC offers a full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, life insurance, 401(k), PTO, paid holidays, casual work environment and more.

Ascent, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to harboring an inclusive and diverse work environment and welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, national origin, protected military or veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.  These terms apply to all stages of employment with our company.  Ascent, LLC actively works to create an inclusive environment where all of our employees can thrive, and we understand that having a wide range of experiences, viewpoints, and backgrounds help to make us both a stronger employer and a stronger business.

All interested candidates should apply through the ad or visit www.ascentcorp.com and select the careers tab to apply for the position.

Ascent, LLC offers a full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, life insurance, 401(k), PTO, paid holidays, casual work environment and more.

Ascent, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to harboring an inclusive and diverse work environment and welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, national origin, protected military or veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. These terms apply to all stages of employment with our company. Ascent, LLC actively works to create an inclusive environment where all of our employees can thrive, and we understand that having a wide range of experiences, viewpoints, and backgrounds help to make us both a stronger employer and a stronger business.