How to hire a data center operations manager

How to hire a data center operations manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step data center operations manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a data center operations manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new data center operations manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a data center operations manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your data center operations manager job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a data center operations manager for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A data center operations manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, data center operations managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of data center operations managers.

   Type of Data Center Operations Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Data Center Operations Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$46-86
   Director, Technical Operations	A director of technical operations is in charge of spearheading the efforts in optimizing business operations. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to determine the best operational practices, setting goals and objectives, allocating budgets, coordinating different departments, and evaluating the performance of technicians and engineers... Show more	$47-96
   Operations Superintendent	Operations Superintendent plans and oversees the daily operations of an organization. They have the authority to set objectives and guidelines, establish budgets and schedules, delegate tasks among staff, and develop strategies to optimize operations and meet project requirements... Show more	$34-72

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Infrastructure
   • Project Management
   • Process Improvement
   • Cloud
   • Linux
   • Performance Reviews
   • HVAC
   • Infrastructure Management
   • Data Operations
   • Windows
   • SQL
   • Ongoing Management
   • ITIL
   • Technical Support

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage client service levels and escalate to appropriate management if impending issues threaten to jeopardize ability to meet agree upon SLA.
   • Direct ERP BaaN 5c implementation projects and manage resources engage in design/coding/testing activities.
   • Define architecture, develop requirements, and lead the design of security framework to reduce vulnerability and risks.
   • Improve baseline compliance of UNIX and Linux platforms.
   • Implement new in-house cellular billing system using UNIX hardware.
   • Review of all current documentation and processes to ensure ITIL compliance.

   More data center operations manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your data center operations manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A data center operations manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a data center operations manager in West Virginia may be lower than in California, and an entry-level data center operations manager usually earns less than a senior-level data center operations manager. Additionally, a data center operations manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average data center operations manager salary

   $131,309yearly

   $63.13 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level data center operations manager salary

   $96,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average data center operations manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$160,906	$77
   2	Colorado	$142,969	$69
   3	New Jersey	$142,124	$68
   4	Washington	$141,097	$68
   5	Virginia	$141,097	$68
   6	New York	$140,563	$68
   7	Nevada	$138,575	$67
   8	Massachusetts	$133,115	$64
   9	North Carolina	$127,042	$61
   10	Pennsylvania	$122,314	$59
   11	Michigan	$119,876	$58
   12	New Hampshire	$119,282	$57
   13	Arizona	$117,225	$56
   14	Texas	$116,311	$56
   15	Illinois	$115,284	$55
   16	Iowa	$112,619	$54
   17	Georgia	$112,594	$54
   18	Oregon	$109,102	$52
   19	Missouri	$105,619	$51
   20	Florida	$104,936	$50

   Average data center operations manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$175,622	$84.43	981
   2	Google	$169,977	$81.72	300
   3	Pure Storage	$162,752	$78.25	12
   4	DoorDash	$155,286	$74.66	127
   5	Microsoft	$150,844	$72.52	190
   6	Amazon	$143,656	$69.07	1,934
   7	BGC Partners	$140,361	$67.48
   8	Rackspace	$134,995	$64.90	2
   9	Wpp Us Holdings Inc	$134,052	$64.45	26
   10	RingCentral	$133,644	$64.25	3
   11	Deloitte	$133,522	$64.19	2,723
   12	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$133,022	$63.95	36
   13	Qualcomm	$130,822	$62.90	12
   14	Mindshare	$129,863	$62.43
   15	CoreLogic	$129,797	$62.40	1
   16	Hines Interest	$129,673	$62.34	2
   17	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	$129,611	$62.31	251
   18	Throtle	$129,085	$62.06	4
   19	CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC	$129,044	$62.04
   20	CBRE Group	$128,829	$61.94	518

4. Writing a data center operations manager job description

   A data center operations manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a data center operations manager job description:

   Data center operations manager job description example

   When what you Crave is a job that combines creative, challenging and ever-changing work with an experienced, inclusive team committed to create memorable moments every day, only White Castle hits the spot!
   
   We're America's first fast-food hamburger chain with more than a century of service to a nation of Cravers. But we're not satisfied with an impressive past. We've got our eye on an even tastier future, and we want you to be part of it! White Castle is always looking for passionate, energetic, results driven people to join our teams, so apply to start your White Castle career today!
   
   The Data Center Operations Manager leads the Data Center and Hardware Infrastructure teams, while also serving as System Administration for all enterprise software systems. The Operations and Automation Manager assures the data center infrastructure is reliable, secure, cost efficient, recoverable for business continuity and strategically sound, reflecting on business needs and best practices while creating value for the company and customers.
   Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   At least 5+ years of Data Center and IT experience including computer operations management; At least 5+ years of Systems administration of Enterprise systems, including programming languages like JCL, SQL or other supportive platforms; A+ certification or equivalent background in hardware repair; Experience in automation process management; At least 5+ experience in disaster planning and business continuity.
   
   Essential Functions
   Responsible for maintaining data center management system, capable of handling all infrastructure design and implementation responsibilities. Focusing efforts efficiency, security and service for end users of data center systems. Assure software compliance and business continuity are maintained; Oversee the entire company hardware infrastructure, by assuring end user support of all hardware platforms. This includes hardware purchasing, repair (Internal and external), RMA processing, inventory management and overall customer support; Lead governance efforts and perform day to day administration for our systems automations like RPA. Create and maintain structures and processes to support our automation process and pipeline, to assure constant improvement and growth. Function as an RPA system programmer and develop additional systems programmer to support company-wide initiatives; Plan and review processes with the Vice President of Technology and the RPA Governance committee to assure strong ROI and prioritization process are in place. Create recommendations for expansion and infrastructure improvements for capital budgeting. Support the Internal customer Chatbot team with oversight and direction; Motivate, manage, and staff the Hardware infrastructure and Data Center team members. Promote an environment on continuous learning and development with strong support of our company values; Responsibility to ensure that appropriate information technology standards, practices, releases, and procedures are utilized on our Enterprise systems. Ensure availability of necessary application systems to support business and operation needs. Perform updates, releases and code changes are required; Leads the planning, implementation, and maintenance of a disaster recovery plan for the Data Center and Enterprise resources working with the Director of IT and the Directory of IS to test these plans; Responsible for the team managing software and hardware contracts and licenses for information system and information technology departments. Build relationships with vendors and creating cost-efficient contracts. Review Technical vendor's annually for Risk assessment with Vice President of Technology, Director of IT and Director of IS; Oversight of IT department budget with teams review of all charges, hold accounts and fixed assets. Planning for all fixed assets spends for IT Department and recommendations/research for assets for other divisions.
   
   Why work for us? Here's why!!!
   
   Did you know that 68% of the team members at our Home Office have more than 10 years of service at White Castle? Why, you ask? Because in this family owned business, we take care of our team! Check out a few of the many reasons why people crave to work with us:
   
   Programs and benefit eligibility varies based on the average hours worked, location and length of service at White Castle.
   
   Family owned and operated since 1921 Medical (4 plan options and 4 national carriers to choose from) Dental & Vision Plan Company paid Life Insurance and AD&D (buy-ups available) Paid holidays Bereavement pay Jury duty pay 3 Weeks of Paid Vacation in the first year Weekly paychecks - YES, WEEKLY! 401(k) (100% company match for the first 3% deferred and 50% for the next 2%); all contributions are 100% vested! Profit Sharing plan Holiday bonuses Free parking Recognition programs Employee Assistance Program Tuition reimbursement Scholarship opportunities Career growth and development Hybrid work environment Business casual dress code (Yep, we wear jeans every day!) Onsite Café with free drinks and food discounts Community service opportunities White Castle restaurant discounts A slide to our lobby And much more...
   
   If you meet the minimum qualifications above, APPLY NOW!
   
   White Castle is an Equal Opportunity Employer
   
   Requirements
   At least 5+ years of Data Center and IT experience including computer operations management; At least 5+ years of Systems administration of Enterprise systems, including programming languages like JCL, SQL or other supportive platforms; A+ certification or equivalent background in hardware repair; Experience in automation process management; At least 5+ experience in disaster planning and business continuity.
   
   Company Information
   White Castle has a hot and tasty opportunity on the menu with this chance to join a team where more than one in four have at least 10 years of consecutive service. We operate restaurants and stock retail freezers with products dedicated to satisfying your cravings morning, noon and night. All that's missing is you. Our Original Slider® was named in 2014 as Time magazine's "Most Influential Burger of All Time," and our Impossible ™ Slider was named by Thrillist in 2019 as the "Best Plant-Based Fast Food Burger." Fast Company named us one of the "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies" in 2021, our 100th year in business. And we're a Certified™ Great Place to Work®. Your search ends here-we've got the career opportunity you Crave! Apply today, and Long Live Sliders™!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find data center operations managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your data center operations manager job on Zippia to find and recruit data center operations manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit data center operations managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new data center operations manager

   Once you've selected the best data center operations manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new data center operations manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a data center operations manager?