Operations Head, Brazil
Location: Sao Paolo
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job Purpose The Operations Head is the senior in-country leader responsible for the day-to-day management of the country business and the safe, reliable operation of the company’s data center site(s). The role carries end-to-end accountability for local execution across critical facilities operations, customer service delivery, corporate administration, governance and compliance, and country-level financial discipline. This position represents the company locally with customers, authorities, utilities, landlords/industrial parks, and strategic vendors, while partnering closely with regional/HQ teams to ensure alignment, efficiency, and consistent standards.
Key Responsibilities
1) Country Leadership & Business Management • Lead the overall country operating model and ensure effective daily execution across operational and corporate functions. • Set clear priorities, operating cadence, and performance standards; drive accountability through KPIs and structured management reviews. • Serve as the senior local representative for key external engagements and protect the company’s reputation through consistent, professional stakeholder management.
2) Data Center Operations & Critical Environment Excellence • Own operational outcomes for one or multiple data center sites, ensuring 24x7 mission-critical readiness, reliability, and operational discipline. • Establish and enforce best-practice operational governance (change management, MOP/SOP/EOP discipline, incident escalation, RCA/CAPA). • Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs, contractor controls, asset health/lifecycle planning, and operational risk management. • Ensure operational readiness for capacity additions and customer fit-outs by coordinating local interfaces, access, approvals, and site support required for project execution.
3) Customer Operations & Service Delivery • Lead local customer operations to ensure strong SLA performance, high-quality communications, and timely resolution of operational issues. • Oversee customer onboarding, site access governance, work authorization, planned maintenance notifications, and service review routines. • Support commercial outcomes through strong customer relationships, credible operational reporting, and reliable on-the-ground service execution.
4) Corporate Administration, Finance & Controls • Ensure the country platform operates with strong corporate hygiene: local policies, delegation of authority adherence, documentation standards, and internal control discipline. • Lead country-level budgeting and operating expense management; drive cost efficiency without compromising safety or reliability. • Oversee local procurement execution and vendor governance, including contracting support, performance management, and renewal management within delegated authority. • Ensure effective local finance administration in partnership with regional/HQ finance teams.
5) Legal, Compliance, Tax & Regulatory Interface • Ensure compliance with all applicable local regulations and internal governance requirements, including corporate filings, licenses, labor compliance, tax coordination, and statutory reporting. • Manage local regulatory relationships and coordinate timely responses to government/authority requests, inspections, and compliance matters. • Partner with internal legal and external counsel to manage contracts, disputes, and risk mitigation, ensuring decisions follow governance and protect the company’s interests.
6) Security & Business Continuity (Country-Level) • Own local physical security and crisis readiness, including emergency response plans, drills, incident coordination, and business continuity interfaces. • Maintain strong site security governance (access control, visitor management, contractor oversight) and align with customer and compliance expectations.
7) People Leadership & Culture • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing local team across operations and corporate support functions (as applicable). • Establish clear roles, performance expectations, and development plans; ensure adequate staffing coverage for 24x7 operational needs. • Foster a culture of safety, customer focus, integrity, and continuous improvement.
8) Reporting, Governance & Cross-Functional Coordination • Provide structured reporting on operational performance, financial execution, key risks, and country priorities to regional leadership. • Coordinate effectively with HQ/regional teams to leverage shared services and subject-matter expertise (finance, tax, legal, procurement, engineering) while maintaining strong local ownership and execution. • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across reliability, customer experience, compliance quality, and cost effectiveness.
Requirements •
1)10+ years of leadership experience in data centers, critical facilities, telecom/infra operations, or similarly high-reliability environments, with increasing scope of responsibility.
2)• Proven track record managing 24x7 mission-critical operations with strong safety culture, incident discipline, and reliability outcomes.
3)• Strong business management capability, including budgeting, cost control, vendor governance, and operational performance reporting.
4)• Practical knowledge of country-level corporate operations, including compliance management, tax/finance coordination, contracting workflows, and internal controls.
5)• Strong stakeholder management skills with customers, utilities, regulators, landlords/industrial parks, and strategic suppliers.
6)• Excellent communication and decision-making under pressure; high integrity and strong ownership mindset.
7)• Willingness to travel locally/regionally as required. Education & Academic Background
8)• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Business, Finance, Law, or a related discipline.
9)• Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) is a plus. Preferred Qualifications
10)• Experience in a global data center operator / colocation environment serving hyperscale or enterprise customers.
11)• Experience leading country operations in a matrix environment with regional/HQ shared services.
12)• Familiarity with operational best practices and governance frameworks (change management, audit readiness, reliability programs).
13)• Certifications in critical environment operations, facilities management, EHS, or project management are a plus.
