Critical Facility Manager

About the role

The Critical Facility Manager (CFM) is responsible for the overall leadership, operation, and performance of mission-critical facility services supporting a 24/7 data center environment. This role provides on-site leadership for operations teams, ensures compliance with contractual and client requirements, and oversees the safe, reliable operation of mechanical, electrical, controls, and vendor-supported systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of mission-critical facility operations, including electrical, mechanical, HVAC, controls, life safety, and vendor-supported services.
• Serve as the primary on-site operational liaison with the client, managing communication, expectations, issue resolution, performance metrics, and service delivery.
• Support site startup, commissioning readiness, integrated systems testing (IST), operational turnover, and go-live preparation.
• Ensure all work is performed in strict accordance with approved SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, safety procedures, change-control requirements, and client expectations.
• Maintain a zero-impact culture focused on uptime, reliability, protection of critical loads, risk mitigation, and procedural compliance.
• Oversee operation of critical infrastructure, including utility service, switchgear, UPS systems, generators, ATS/STS equipment, electrical distribution, chillers, CRAH/CRAC units, pumps, cooling systems, and BAS/BMS controls.
• Monitor facility systems, KPIs/CPIs, SLAs, alarms, maintenance performance, and operational trends to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
• Lead incident response, escalation, client communication, post-incident review, root cause analysis, and corrective action tracking.
• Review, approve, and coordinate planned maintenance, switching activities, outage-related procedures, vendor work, and high-risk activities.
• Oversee staffing, scheduling, onboarding, training, performance management, and technical development of on-site facility personnel.
• Partner with recruiting and leadership teams to support selection and onboarding of site leads and critical facilities technicians.
• Manage CMMS utilization, including work order accuracy, preventive maintenance compliance, asset documentation, labor reporting, and maintenance history.
• Cover coordination third-party vendors, OEMs, and subcontractors performing on-site services.
• Support budget management, cost control, invoice review, change order coordination, and contract-related administration.
• Promote and enforce safety, environmental, regulatory, and site-specific requirements, including participation in audits and inspections.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on uptime, reliability, efficiency, safety, documentation quality, and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in mission-critical facilities, data center operations, critical environments, or closely related infrastructure operations.
• Prior experience leading technical teams in a 24/7 critical facility environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of critical electrical infrastructure, including switchgear, UPS systems, generators, ATS/STS equipment, electrical distribution, and emergency power operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of critical mechanical infrastructure, including chillers, CRAH/CRAC units, pumps, cooling systems, airflow management, BAS/BMS controls, and redundancy strategies.
• Experience with SOPs, MOPs, EOPs, change control, incident response, root cause analysis, and risk mitigation in a critical environment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documentation, one-lines, P&IDs, sequences of operation, equipment manuals, maintenance procedures, and commissioning documents.
• Strong understanding of uptime expectations, SLA/CPI performance requirements, client reporting, and operational risk management.
• Experience using CMMS platforms for work order management, preventive maintenance tracking, asset management, and documentation.
• Strong leadership, communication, documentation, and client-facing skills.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Facilities Management, Construction Management, or related field preferred; equivalent mission-critical experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
• Preferred certifications / training: Certified Data Centre Facilities Professional (CDC-FP), Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP), or similar data center certification, OSHA 10 or OSHA 30, NFPA 70E, Electrical safety, switching, or critical power training, OEM training related to UPS, generators, switchgear, BAS/BMS, chillers, or critical cooling systems, Professional Engineer (PE) license a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to access all areas of a mission-critical facility, including mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, equipment yards, rooftops, and operations spaces.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, and navigate industrial environments for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 30-50 lbs as required.
• Ability to respond to site conditions, inspections, incidents, and operational needs in a 24/7 critical environment.

About Us

ABM (NYSE: ABM) is one of the world’s largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions. Every day, our over 100,000 team members deliver essential services that make spaces cleaner, safer, and efficient, enhancing the overall occupant experience. ABM serves a wide range of market sectors including commercial real estate, aviation, education, mission critical, and manufacturing and distribution. With over $8 billion in annual revenue and a blue-chip client base, ABM delivers innovative technologies and sustainable solutions that enhance facilities and empower clients to achieve their goals. Committed to creating smarter, more connected spaces, ABM is investing in the future to meet evolving challenges and build a healthier, thriving world. ABM is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer that does not discriminate on the basis of any trait or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including disability and protected veteran status. ABM is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in completing the employment application, please call 888-328-8606. We will provide you with assistance and make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis. ABM participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. E-Verify is an internet-based system used to electronically confirm employment eligibility. ABM is a military-friendly company proudly employing thousands of men and women who have served in the U.S. military. With ABM, you’ll have access to a world-class training program and ample opportunities to use the skills you developed while serving our country. Whether you’re looking for a frontline or professional position, you can find post-military career opportunities across ABM. ABM directs all applicants to apply at www.abm.com/careers . ABM does not accept unsolicited resumes or submissions outside of this portal. Applicants should submit their application by clicking Apply Now. For more information, visit www.abm.com.