OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Company: AirTrunk
Location: Malaysia
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Data Centre Operations
Reporting To: Regional Data Centre Director – South Asia

About AirTrunk
AirTrunk is Asia Pacific and Middle East's (APME) largest, most innovative and rapidly growing data centre company.

The company has a powerful purpose: to scale and sustain the relentless growth of the region's digital future by continuously redefining and delivering digital infrastructure that meets the needs of its customers, including some of the world's most transformational companies.

Having opened Australia's first and largest hyperscale data centres in 2017, AirTrunk has expanded rapidly and now operates a platform of hyperscale data centres across the APME region.

With backing from investors, including Blackstone, AirTrunk continues to expand its operations and strengthen its position in the global digital infrastructure industry.

About the Role
As Operations Director, you will report to the Regional Data Centre Director – South Asia and work closely with the wider Operations team.

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across data centre facilities, ensuring high availability, long-term efficiency, operational readiness and first-class customer service.

You will lead multidisciplinary operations teams, including Senior Technical Services Managers, Technical Services Managers, Building Services Managers, Site Facilities Management Teams, Smart Hands teams and third-party Facilities Management service providers.

You will also oversee the operational handover of new data centre capacity and ensure that engineering practices, safety procedures, vendor management, contractual obligations and financial controls are consistently maintained.

This position requires a strong combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, commercial awareness and customer relationship management.

A Snapshot – Key Responsibilities
Lead the Operations teams, including Senior Technical Services Managers, Technical Services Managers, Building Services Managers, Site Facilities Management Teams, Smart Hands and third-party Facilities Management service providers.

Assist in maintaining and developing AirTrunk's Operations philosophy of high availability, long-term efficiency and first-class customer service.

Oversee the handover and operational readiness of new data centre capacity.

Apply governance frameworks covering engineering practices, safe control of works, vendor and contract management, commercial activities and financial management.

Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities

1. Data Centre Operations and Infrastructure Management

Execute all aspects of data centre operations, including the operation, maintenance and repair of services and mission-critical systems supporting a 24/7 data centre operation.

Maintain 100% uptime objectives and ensure compliance with customer Service Level Agreements (SLAs) across all facilities within the assigned city-wide operational remit.

Identify, evaluate and implement operational strategies to achieve the highest levels of availability and operational efficiency.

Lead teams responsible for scheduling and completing planned and emergency maintenance events.

Ensure operational activities meet established engineering standards and procedures.

1. Construction Integration and Commissioning

Supervise the integration of construction activities in coordination with internal and external construction resources.

Ensure system design, installation and testing adhere to operational standards.

Attend witness testing of equipment during commissioning.

Validate equipment sequences of operation and performance.

Ensure receipt and review of all required operational documentation.

Oversee the successful handover and operational readiness of new data centre capacity.

1. Facilities and Maintenance Management

Manage third-party outsourced Facilities Management services.

Lead the implementation of local change management processes.

Ensure all planned and emergency maintenance activities are properly coordinated.

Maintain operational readiness and infrastructure reliability.

Ensure service providers comply with maintenance standards and operational requirements.

1. Incident Management and Emergency Response

Lead all incidents at assigned properties, including technical, operational and security incidents.

Facilitate emergency response procedures and coordinate resources.

Manage customer communications during critical operational events.

Conduct post-event root cause analysis.

Implement corrective actions and ongoing problem management initiatives.

Strengthen operational risk management and incident prevention procedures.

1. Compliance, Safety and Governance

Deliver accreditation to relevant compliance initiatives, including ISO 27001 and SOC 2.

Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements covering environmental, building, fire, electrical, mechanical and safety standards.

Maintain engineering governance frameworks and safe control of work practices.

Ensure operational activities comply with company policies, regulatory standards and customer requirements.

Promote a proactive safety culture across all facilities and operational teams.

1. Customer Relationship Management

Develop strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders.

Act as an operational escalation point during emergency events and day-to-day operations.

Ensure customer requirements and service expectations are consistently met.

Oversee the delivery of data centre services, including Smart Hands support, customer installations and service requests.

Ensure customer requests are completed within agreed timeframes.

Maintain high standards of customer satisfaction and service delivery.

1. Vendor and Contract Management

Manage third-party outsourced Facilities Management service providers.

Oversee service contracts and ensure compliance with maintenance standards and operational requirements.

Monitor vendor performance and ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled.

Coordinate procurement-related activities in accordance with financial control procedures.

Support purchase order and accounts payable processes.

Maintain effective commercial relationships with suppliers and service partners.

1. Financial and Commercial Management

Manage annual operational expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) budgets.

Develop and manage financial forecasts, budgets and reporting requirements.

Monitor expenditure and ensure financial performance remains aligned with approved budgets.

Identify opportunities to improve operational and financial efficiency.

Develop and present business cases supporting operational improvements and investment decisions.

Ensure financial controls are followed across procurement, purchase orders and accounts payable activities.

Evaluate operational costs and identify opportunities for sustainable long-term savings.

1. Operational Performance and Continuous Improvement

Supervise operational metrics, performance indicators and facility data.

Analyse operational risks and identify areas requiring improvement.

Provide strategic direction through daily operational reporting and long-term trend analysis.

Evaluate operational performance and implement improvement initiatives.

Develop strategies that enhance infrastructure reliability, operational efficiency and customer service.

Support the continuous development of AirTrunk's operational philosophy of high availability, long-term efficiency and first-class customer service.

Requirements and Qualifications
Candidates should possess the following qualifications, experience and capabilities:

At least 8 years of experience in a critical operational environment.

A minimum of 2 years in a senior operations leadership role.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, ideally Electrical Engineering.

Previous experience working for a data centre operator.

Previous hyperscale data centre experience.

Proven experience leading technical teams and developing a positive team culture.

Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage highly technical teams.

Ability to engage in detailed technical discussions with key partners and customers.

Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to present data centre operations to customers, colleagues and management.

Familiarity with the ITIL framework and its application within a data centre environment.

Fluency in English and another local language.

Flexible, forward-thinking and adaptable approach to operational challenges.

The AirTrunk Culture
Working at AirTrunk represents an opportunity to accelerate your professional development and make a meaningful impact on the digital infrastructure industry.

Through its Grow@Hyperscale philosophy, AirTrunk aims to help employees develop their capabilities, expand their experience and reach their professional potential.

The company's working environment is built around collaboration, innovation, transparency and responsiveness.

AirTrunk encourages employees to challenge existing practices, solve complex problems and contribute new ideas that support the company's continued growth.

Every team member brings a unique background and perspective, helping the organisation develop better solutions and deliver meaningful results.

AirTrunk also promotes a flexible, inclusive and safe working environment, supported by employee benefits designed to help its people thrive.

Position Summary
Company: AirTrunk
Position: Operations Director
Location: Malaysia
Employment Type: Full-time
Reporting To: Regional Data Centre Director – South Asia

Primary Areas of Responsibility:

Strategic data centre operations leadership.

Mission-critical infrastructure management.

Technical team leadership and development.

Commissioning and operational readiness.

Customer relationship management.

Incident management and operational risk control.

Vendor and contract management.

CAPEX/OPEX budgeting and financial performance.

Regulatory compliance and operational governance.

Continuous improvement and infrastructure reliability.