Senior Director, Physical Security, NA

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another’s experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Physical Security Department

The Physical Security Department for Vantage Data Centers is very hands on. In most cases, we specify, purchase, configure and maintain all physical security networking, software, and server hardware. We also work closely with partner VARs to learn about the latest technology changes so that we can make informed purchase decisions. We are always looking for ways to strike the best balance between technology, performance, and cost. Vantage Global Physical Security Department also participates in designing each of our new data center building’s security infrastructure. If you like getting into the details and helping to design, build and maintain Security infrastructure in a modern data center, then come work at Vantage.

Position Overview

With expansion to ten campuses in the US and Canada, and additional planned expansion, it remains critical to maintain a consistent customer experience across all campus environments as well as take advantage of scale as Vantage continues to grow. The Senior Director, Physical Security will be responsible for the overall physical security at each of our North American campuses. The team will consist of Regional Managers, Security Managers, Technical Services, and third-party security officers across all shifts.

The successful candidate will lead an organization of sub-regional managers who have built a stellar operations reputation with our customers and the industry. You will be responsible for the overall workflow of all campus activities across our portfolio insuring that the same exceptional service is provided to our customers regardless of which campuses they choose.

At Vantage, we believe steel sharpens steel. The Senior Director, Physical Security will drive continued improvement by measuring metrics and KPIs consistently across all facilities and looking for best in class processes/performance which can then be shared across campuses improving the entire team and getting results that insure 100% uptime and delight out customers. This position will drive the development of additional and/or improved standards from maintenance to budgeting to help with our overall scaling efforts.

As we continue to expand, the Senior Director, Physical Security will peer with our Design, Engineering & Construction teams to assist with ways that can improve our construction costs without sacrificing maintainability of the facilities or site availability.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee the management and administration of the physical security functions at all North American properties with the objectives of safely and effectively operating security and fire safety systems, leading the physical security functions and equipment onsite

• Carry out Vantage Physical Security Global Procedures that encompasses all aspects of Datacenter Physical Security, including design, construction, testing, daily operation, and maintenance.

• Lead a team of sub-regional sub-region Managers and Security Managers responsible for all Physical Security activities, technical services, unplanned emergency events and overseeing the implementation of capital construction projects and upgrades at all NA facilities.

• Ensure availability and targets are achieved and maintained for data centers and technical infrastructure for all Vantage Data Center facilities.

• Encourage and cultivate a team-oriented environment through positive feedback.

• Implement key initiatives and process improvements to drive desired outcomes across the organization such as the implementation of Service Now FSM, security tool integration between tools, and automation, machine learning, and AI.

• Hold teams accountable on to follow standards, complete preventive/corrective maintenance of security equipment, critical and non-critical alike.

• Ensure customers are satisfied and any issues with their services are resolved quickly and efficiently.

• Responsible for ALL Key Performance indicators reporting internally to the Physical Security teams and to the executive team.

• Create annual operating expense budgets and capital expenditures.

• Continuously monitor and update monthly forecasts to meet and exceed budgets and financial NOI targets.

• Demonstrate the ability to understand the engineering design and operational aspects of the base security systems, and can recognize system performance deficiencies and respond to operational and emergency situations.

• Partner with the COE and Reliability Engineering team to identify and remediate risks and ensure successful commissioning activities enabling turnover to production of new facilities without outstanding issues.

• Develop relationships with vendors and service providers to ensure the timely delivery of goods and services. Partner with Vendor Management and Procurement departments to negotiate contracts and agreements, and monitor vendor performance.

• Champion inter-departmental relationships across the organization to understand the roles & responsibilities of each department, exchange information, align on goals and objectives, and partner on improvement needs.

• Create, implement, and maintain a complete staffing plan that covers hiring, training, oversight, and compliance

Duties

• Responsible for the day-to-day physical security operations of our North American Data Center Operations.

• Using your knowledge of the systems in place coupled with performance data collected, evaluate performance of systems and suggest cost effective improvements to improve service and operating efficiency.

• Working with your peers and the VP of Operations, determine appropriate team performance goals and lead those to completion.

• Evaluate and run performance reviews for your team. Seek out input from others and provide feedback and coaching to lead individuals as well as the team.

• Protect and improve the value of our assets and ensure that building security systems meet or exceed their expected life.

• Organize administrative functions related to physical security, such as a work orders and maintenance activities, budgets, ordering supplies, etc.

• Working with Finance and Management, participate in the preparation of operational expenses and capital portions of the budget.

• Responsible for ensuring that major projects performed at the campuses are properly planned, implemented and closed out in accordance with best current practices in our industry.

• Develop and maintain elite customer service for all Vantage customers

• Manage Physical Security vendors for staffing, supervision, and oversight

• Collaborate with internal and external teams for design and construction at each datacenter campus. Team with Operations to ensure compliance with all aspects of customer requirements.

• Coordinate with Site Operations for all daily activities to ensure a safe and secure environment for employees and customers.

• Create a training program for security staff, as well as internal employees and customers (as required).

• Continually set increased performance goals by looking at industry standard processes and creating an internal improvement program

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field, Security Management, Criminal Justice, Business Administration and is highly desired, but not required. Minimum High School diploma or GED equivalent.

• 10+ years of experience in physical security in a corporate setting.

• 5+ years of direct managerial experience and strong interpersonal skills.

• Must have a multi-disciplinary security background with knowledge in several areas including developing and implementing layered security architecture; risk and vulnerability assessments, compliance to implement information security related standards and initiatives.

• Strong knowledge of physical security systems and technology, including CCTV, access control systems, and intrusion detection.

• Consistent track record of excellent internal and external customer service.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make informed decisions under pressure.

• Ability to communicate well in both oral and written reports.

• Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or Physical Security Professional (PSP) certifications are highly desirable.

• Working knowledge of system auditing concepts including regular reporting for compliance, the efficiency of security systems (Lenel, cameras, door alarms, badge readers).

• Proficiency in MS Office, Outlook, Word, Excel and building automation systems.

• Travel required is expected to be 25-50%, but may increase over time as the business evolves.

Additional Information:

• This role is based in Alpharetta, GA.

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.