Data Center Manager skills for your resume and career

Project management is the process of planning, organizing, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals. Data center managers use project management to lead initiatives, manage staff assignments, and ensure that projects align with business strategy. They also manage budgets, analyze costs, and oversee large client implementations. For example, one data center manager led a team of seven IT personnel and managed the project management portfolio, maintaining servers, data center, and telecommunications systems.

A data center is a physical facility that houses computer systems, data storage systems, and other networking equipment to process, store, and distribute large amounts of data. Data center managers use data centers to provide continuous availability and reliability, plan technical build-out projects, and manage environmental systems and facilities infrastructure. They also oversee data center design, implementation, and management, as well as disaster recovery planning and testing. Data center managers ensure that the physical footprint and available space are used efficiently, and they present updates to upper management and stakeholders. They also develop and implement monitoring systems and security policies, and establish cabling standards.

Cloud computing allows for the delivery of computing resources over the internet, enabling users to access and utilize resources remotely. Data center managers install framework for private cloud computing, implement automated deployment, security, and cloud architecture, and manage cloud systems. They also identify and grow alliances with strategic cloud service providers, deliver core AWS data centers, and lead the delivery of cloud-based solutions.

Client facing refers to activities that involve interacting with clients, like in-person meetings or phone calls. Data center managers use client facing to create and distribute service level reports, design and develop dashboards that monitor the health of their systems, and virtualize critical applications. They also work directly with individual client-facing mall managers to troubleshoot installations.

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Data center managers use HVAC to monitor and maintain the environment in their facilities. They ensure that the temperature and humidity levels are within the required range to prevent equipment failures and data loss. They also perform maintenance on HVAC systems to prevent downtime and ensure the systems are running efficiently.

SLAs, or service-level agreements, are agreements between two parties that outline the expected service quality and performance. Data center managers use SLAs to ensure compliance and quick resolution of specific issues. They also use SLAs to manage data center facilities, production control, and change, problem, and asset management processes. Additionally, they may develop road maps to clarify and accomplish SLAs, and establish standard operational policies and procedures. They also analyze and review actual service performance against SLAs.

Infrastructure management is the process of managing, maintaining, and optimizing the physical systems and facilities that are essential to an organization's operations. Data center managers use infrastructure management to oversee the efficiency, effectiveness, and reliability of their data center's operations. They implement data center infrastructure management software, develop new programs to improve response times and efficiency, and conduct project status meetings with presentations to project officers and infrastructure management teams. They also act as liaisons between corporate infrastructure and Latin America infrastructure management teams.

Linux is an open-source operating system. Data center managers use Linux to design and implement backup and recovery systems for servers, manage floor space and electrical networks, and support problem management tickets for both Windows and Linux servers. They also use Linux to migrate UNIX servers, implement corporate Cisco to Linux VLAN strategies, diagnose and resolve network issues, and maintain Linux servers.

Structured cabling is a system of wiring that offers a comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure. Data center managers use structured cabling by implementing new approaches to vendor delivery of required materials and installation. They also coordinate all vendors from start to completion of installations, including electricians, structured cabling, and switches.

Network infrastructure refers to the underlying technology that powers computer networks. Data center managers use network infrastructure in various ways. They manage server and network infrastructure, plan and manage migrations and consolidation projects, conduct evaluations, and implement network technology plans. They also coordinate routine maintenance on systems and network infrastructure, design and implement PCI compliant network infrastructure, and redesign and reconfigure network infrastructure for throughput and security.

A SAN (storage area network) is a specialized network that connects storage devices to servers. Data center managers use SAN to manage and configure storage infrastructure, update and maintain installation documentation, perform server installations and removals, and support end-to-end systems monitoring. For example, they might update the infrastructure and services of a data center, perform heterogeneous distributed installations and configurations to SAN and NAS, or plan implementation of SAN storage and enterprise data back-up systems.

Developing a team means training and developing team members to optimize support to operations. Data center managers do this by improving their functional and technical capabilities.

Disaster recovery is a set of policies, procedures, and plans that help quickly resume normal operations in case of a disaster. Data center managers use disaster recovery to ensure responsiveness to service level failures, critical incidents, and problem escalation. They establish standard processes to coordinate and organize large-scale application validation requirements for major infrastructure changes, such as disaster recovery exercises. They also manage teams that support corporate applications, project development, and corporate disaster recovery. They analyze and assist in the preparation, implementation, and administration of a corporate disaster recovery program. They also develop and maintain data center operations business continuity and contingency plans, and manage disaster recovery testing.

ITIL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library, a framework for managing IT services. Data center managers use ITIL for process management. They implement ITIL processes to improve reliability and increase efficiency, such as introducing problem management or implementing incident management. They also use ITIL to manage change control, asset management, and release management. They align support with systems using ITIL processes and establish a single point of contact for data center activities.