Performance Manager, Data Center Operations

The Performance Manager owns how L5's data center operations are measured, reported, and improved. This role builds and runs the performance framework across client sites: KPIs, SLA compliance, reliability and availability metrics, energy and cooling efficiency, and maintenance program effectiveness. The Performance Manager turns operational data into decisions, surfaces risk before it becomes an incident, and drives corrective action with site teams and client stakeholders.

This is a hands-on role for someone who understands both the technical systems (power, cooling, controls) and the business of delivering mission critical services. You will work closely with Critical Facility Managers, Operations Directors, HSSE, and Training to make sure every site performs to contract and continues to improve.

Performance Framework & KPI Management

• Define, implement, and maintain a consistent set of operational KPIs across all L5-managed data center sites, aligned to client contracts and SLAs.
• Track and report on availability, incident frequency and duration, MTTR/MTBF, preventive maintenance compliance, work order backlog, and response times.
• Establish performance baselines and targets by site and by client, and review them regularly with operations leadership.
• Produce monthly and quarterly performance reports for internal leadership and client executives that are accurate, concise, and actionable.

Reliability & Root Cause Analysis

• Lead or support root cause analysis (RCA) for incidents, near misses, and recurring failures on electrical, mechanical, and controls systems.
• Track corrective and preventive actions to closure and verify that they work.
• Analyze equipment failure trends (UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers, CRAH/CRAC units, CDUs, pumps) and recommend maintenance strategy changes.
• Support reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) and condition-based maintenance initiatives.

Energy, Cooling & Infrastructure Efficiency

• Monitor PUE, WUE, and related efficiency metrics, and identify opportunities to reduce energy and water consumption without compromising resilience.
• Analyze thermal and capacity performance, including high-density and liquid cooling environments, and flag constraints early.
• Partner with project and engineering teams to evaluate retrofit and optimization opportunities and quantify their performance impact.

Data, Systems & Tools

• Pull and validate data from BMS, EPMS, DCIM, CMMS, and ticketing systems to build trusted, automated dashboards.
• Improve data quality and reporting processes at site level so that metrics can be relied on and compared across sites.
• Use analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Excel, SQL) to identify trends, anomalies, and improvement opportunities.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for client operations and executive stakeholders on performance topics.
• Lead performance review meetings and service reviews, presenting results, root causes, and improvement plans with credibility.
• Support contract compliance by monitoring SLA obligations, flagging exposure, and preparing evidence for audits and reviews.

Continuous Improvement & Leadership

• Drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across site teams, using lessons learned and best practices from across the L5 portfolio.
• Coach site leadership on how to use performance data to manage their operations.
• Collaborate with HSSE and Training to link performance outcomes to safety, procedures, and workforce competency.
• Support onboarding and transition of new sites by establishing performance baselines and reporting from day one.

• Ideally a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial), Operations Management, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 7+ years of experience in mission critical environments, with at least 3 years in a performance, reliability, or operations management role in a data center or comparable facility.
• Strong working knowledge of data center electrical and mechanical systems, including UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers, and air or liquid cooling.
• Demonstrated experience with KPI development, SLA management, and operational reporting for enterprise or hyperscale clients.
• Proficiency with data and reporting tools such as Power BI, Excel, and SQL; familiarity with BMS, EPMS, DCIM, and CMMS platforms.
• Experience conducting root cause analysis using structured methods (5 Whys, fault tree, FMEA).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to technical teams and client executives.
• Willingness to travel to client sites as required.

L5 Mission Critical is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.