Principal Strategist,Leased Data Center Operations Job Helena area,Montana USA,IT/Tech

Summary

Meta is seeking a Principal Strategist to lead the long-term operational strategy for its global leased data center portfolio. In this role, you will define how Meta sources, manages, and optimizes third-party colocation and leased data center capacity to support the infrastructure demands of products used by billions of people worldwide. You will operate at the intersection of real estate, infrastructure operations, vendor governance, and capacity planning, shaping the frameworks and strategic direction that govern how Meta engages with external data center operators at scale.

Required

Skills Principal Strategist, Leased Data Center Operations Responsibilities

Define and drive the multi-year operational strategy for Meta's leased and colocation data center portfolio, aligning with global infrastructure capacity and reliability goals

Establish governance frameworks for vendor performance management, including SLA structures, operational accountability models, and escalation protocols with third-party data center operators

Lead cross-functional alignment across real estate, network engineering, capacity planning, and infrastructure operations to ensure leased site strategies support long-term compute and connectivity requirements

Develop and own the operating model for leased data center lifecycle management, from site onboarding and commissioning through steady-state operations and exit planning

Identify systemic risks across the leased data center portfolio and design mitigation strategies that improve resilience, redundancy, and operational continuity

Translate complex infrastructure and operational data into executive-level strategic recommendations, influencing decisions on portfolio composition, vendor selection, and capital allocation

Drive standardization of operational practices across geographically distributed leased sites, enabling consistent performance benchmarking and continuous improvement

Partner with legal, procurement, and finance teams to shape contract structures and commercial terms that reflect operational requirements and long-term strategic objectives

Mentor and provide strategic guidance to other operations and program management professionals across the data center organization

Evaluate emerging trends in the colocation and leased data center market to inform portfolio strategy and identify opportunities for operational innovation

Minimum Qualifications

12+ years of experience in data center operations, infrastructure strategy, or colocation portfolio management

Experience defining and executing operational strategy for large-scale, geographically distributed data center environments including leased or colocation facilities

Experience leading cross-functional initiatives that span vendor governance, infrastructure operations, capacity planning, and real estate or facilities functions

Experience developing executive-level strategic frameworks, business cases, and recommendations that influence organizational direction and capital decisions

Experience managing complex vendor relationships and negotiating operational accountability structures with third-party data center operators

Preferred Qualifications

Experience building or transforming operational governance models across a global portfolio of third-party managed facilities

Experience operating within hyperscale or large-scale cloud infrastructure environments with significant leased or colocation capacity

Familiarity with data center critical systems (power, cooling, network interconnect) and how operational constraints inform strategic portfolio decisions

Track record of driving standardization and continuous improvement programs across multi-site data center operations

Public Compensation

$211,000/year to $272,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Industry

Internet

Equal Opportunity

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affimative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at

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