Critical Facilities Manager

Critical Facilities / Engineering Manager – Global Data Infrastructure Leader

Location: Tokyo, Japan (national coverage)
Salary: Competitive + performance bonus + benefits package
 

Join a global leader in mission-critical facilities and data centre operations. Our client is a world-leading provider of integrated real estate and technical services, managing some of the most advanced and complex data centres across the globe. With operations spanning more than 100 countries, they deliver high-performance solutions that ensure reliability, safety, and efficiency for major hyperscale and enterprise clients.

As part of continued growth in Japan, they are seeking a Critical Facilities / Engineering Manager to oversee day-to-day facility operations, manage engineering teams, and ensure consistent delivery of critical services to data centre clients.

About the Role

The Critical Facilities / Engineering Manager will be responsible for managing operations, maintenance, and engineering performance across mission-critical facilities. You will oversee all aspects of technical delivery, contract management, budgeting, and compliance while ensuring that 24/7 operations meet the highest service standards.

This is a key leadership position requiring both strategic oversight and hands-on operational management within a complex, high-availability environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operation and maintenance of critical mechanical and electrical systems (UPS, STS/ATS, PDU, PMM, chillers, HVAC, and generators).
• Manage overall facility operations to meet SLAs, KPIs, and contractual requirements.
• Oversee financial performance, including P&L, budget forecasting, and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, safety, and quality regulations.
• Drive operational excellence through standardised processes, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage and develop engineering and technical teams, ensuring competency, motivation, and high performance.
• Coordinate with global and regional teams to align local operations with corporate standards and best practices.
• Manage vendor performance, procurement processes, and contractor activities.
• Conduct risk assessments, audits, and performance reviews to ensure system reliability and uptime.
• Oversee incident response, root cause analysis, and service recovery actions.
• Develop and implement strategic maintenance and energy efficiency plans.
• Drive QHSE compliance and promote a strong safety culture across all operations.
• Ensure documentation accuracy, operational readiness, and compliance with ISO and FISMA standards.
• Support client relationships, providing clear communication and consistent operational reporting.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or diploma in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering (or related discipline).
• Minimum 5–10 years of experience in critical facility or data centre operations, with proven leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of UPS, STS/ATS, PDU, PMM, and other mission-critical systems.
• Experience managing P&L, budgets, and operational contracts.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Solid understanding of Japanese safety, electrical, and building regulations.
• Licensed Chief Electrical Engineer (電気主任技術者資格保有者) strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with ISO and FISMA compliance frameworks.
• Business-level English communication skills; Japanese fluency required.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities.
• Hands-on technical understanding with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure in dynamic environments.
• Customer-oriented with a commitment to quality, safety, and operational integrity.
• Collaborative and adaptable, able to engage across international teams.

Why Apply?

This is a unique opportunity to join a global organisation at the forefront of mission-critical infrastructure management. You’ll lead the operations of cutting-edge facilities in Japan, manage high-performing teams, and play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and resilience of infrastructure supporting the world’s leading technology companies.